As Africa’s leading broadcast professionals prepare to converge in Johannesburg for the 6th Annual Radio Broadcasters Convention—Africa 2025, Minenhle Dlamini, Managing Director of Gagasi FM in South Africa, is among the powerful voices shaping this year’s agenda.
Minenhle Dlamini told us during a chat, “I agreed to participate because I am passionate about representing the market I work within. As a regional brand, we often feel overshadowed by larger, more popular national stations. This convention allows us to reflect our realities and ensure our regional broadcasting communities are meaningfully represented.”
Her message highlights a major theme of the upcoming convention: amplifying regional voices and addressing the challenges of underrepresented markets in the digital evolution of radio.
Across the continent, traditional radio is merging with digital platforms — from mobile apps to social media integrations — enabling real-time audience engagement and more personalized content delivery. At the same time, advanced analytics and data tools are helping broadcasters better understand their audiences, refine advertising strategies, and expand monetization through new formats like branded audio segments and subscription models.
Yet, this transition is not without obstacles.
“Media consumption habits are shifting — audiences now expect on-demand content and immersive digital experiences,” Minenhle noted. “But infrastructure and high data costs are major hurdles in many parts of Africa. For regional broadcasters, investing in digital platforms is a high-stakes decision when the return on investment remains uncertain.”
Policy delays further complicate progress. “We often face regulatory bottlenecks that stall innovation and growth,” she added.
Despite these challenges, Minenhle remains optimistic that this year’s event will spark practical solutions.
“I hope that we’ll walk away with collaborative ideas that ensure no region or community is left behind. Radio remains vital — for education, development, and cultural expression — and our digital future must reflect the full diversity of Africa’s voices.”
To learn more about this key industry convention for radio broadcasters, click/tap here.
