"We placed limits on the number of entries stations and individuals could submit within each category and so the growth in the number of stations participating is very significant. The awards are open to all ICASA-licensed radio stations in South Africa and entries have been received from campus, community, commercial and PBS stations."

"The record number of entries is indicative of the immense popularity of this competition and speaks to the growing stature of the MTN Radio Awards," says Larry Annetts, chief marketing officer at MTN South Africa. "MTN entered into this sponsorship with the intention of investing in the development of the radio and we are pleased that our sponsorship of these awards has been universally accepted by the broadcast fraternity. Our support for the MTN Radio Awards is aligned to MTN’s ongoing quest to brighten the lives of its customers."

The entries are being collated into packs that will be sent to the adjudication panel, who will then assess and score the submissions individually and enter their scores on an online system. The scores are then tallied and submitted to auditing firm, Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo, for auditing before the finalists are announced in late March.

The 2015 MTN Radio Awards Gala Banquet takes place on Saturday, 18 April at the Sandton Convention Centre. Tickets are available by contacting Michelle McBride on 011 280 3000 or emailing [email protected].