The winner will be named at a Gala Dinner which is to be held at Durban’s SunCoast Casino and Entertainment World, earning them the chance to spend an entire year training at Ukhozi FM before potentially joining the station as a presenter.

Following six grueling auditions across KwaZulu Natal, and the subsequent elimination process which saw Ukhozi FM listeners cast over 130,000 votes in narrowing the Top 12 to the Top 2, both Zondo and Biyela have firmly entrenched themselves as popular fixtures on Ukhozi’s Home Drive Show.

Thembeka Zondo (DJ 3, KwaMashu) no doubt benefitted greatly from having participated in the Durban auditions, where she was one of two DJ’s who were selected to as part of the Top 12 from the over 3200 other participants who attended that particular audition. The confident 24-year old said that “My broadcasting style is unique, and I am confident in my abilities. I am always willing to learn new things, a very good listener and I communicate very well with all people, regardless of their background. I am aiming to win this competition as I have always wanted a career in broadcasting, and this is no doubt the best chance I have of achieving this dream”.

Speaking about what has been her inspiration during the competition, Zondo said that “the current presenters at Ukhozi are really doing justice to the media industry, and they just make me fall in love with radio even more. Every single person that I've worked during this experience has been so warm, welcoming and helpful”.

Whilst she has her sights set on winning this competition, Zondo will be taking away much from her Vodacom M-PESA Top Stars experience even if she falls at the final hurdle. “I have learnt so much over the last few months. Wanting a career in radio is not about chasing fame but rather it should come about due to a passion from within. Being a radio DJ comes with responsibilities, dedication, commitment and even criticism sometimes. So you need to be able to believe in yourself and ensure that you take all the advice that you get from people who've been to the industry for a long time because that can help you to build your career in radio”.

No doubt arising from the fact that she beat out over 3200 people at the Durban audition to claim a spot in the Top 12, Zondo said that “making it this far is a great achievement and it just made me realise that there is a lot I did not know I was capable of. I was up against very talented candidates but still managed to reach this far”. Referring to her Top 2 rival Zimiphi Biyela, Zondo said that “I think she is a very strong character who believes in herself and is very confident”.
The 28-year old Zimiphi ‘Zimdollar’ Biyela (DJ 1, eMpangeni) said that the main reasons that she has been so successful in this competition is due to the fact that “I am an ambitious, talented and skillful person, and I am not afraid to work under pressure. In the broadcasting industry, it is very important that you are able to take instructions and orders and have good communication skills, and I have been doing my best to show that I have these qualities”.

Having had no experience in broadcasting prior to this competition, Biyela said that “I did my best to learn from everyone I encountered at Ukhozi. They were all amazing, and thanks to their help I was able to face and cope with the challenges associated with the corporate atmosphere and the broadcasting industry”.

One of the most beneficial aspects of her involvement in the competition was the fact that she “gained experience using the latest in broadcasting technology and also was able to work alongside some of the bigger names in South Africa’s radio industry. According to Biyela, “it has always been my dream to be a radio presenter, and when I heard about the Vodacom M-PESA Top Stars competition I recognized it as a great opportunity. To others who also wish to pursue a career as a radio DJ, I would advise that you first concentrate on doing well at school before following your dreams”. When asked about what she thinks of her fellow Vodacom M-PESA Top Stars finalist, Biyela said that “she is a confident and energetic person, and is sure to have a long career in the industry”.

The Gala Dinner is sure to be a great evening, with resident Vodacom M-PESA Top Stars performers DJ Show and Dakota to be in action on the night. The star-studded crowd will also enjoy a performance from a traditional dance group, comedian, as well as a screening of the progress of the entire campaign.
One of the main reasons for the popularity and success of this KZN-based competition, which is being held in association with Ukhozi FM and Boxer Superstores, has been attributed to the fact that Ukhozi FM listeners were able to play a central role in determining which aspiring DJ’s make it through each round of eliminations. Main judge and Vodacom M-PESA KZN Regional Manager Khanyi Mpisi said that “by allowing Ukhozi FM listeners to decide which DJ’s were able to remain on the competition, we have put the power into their hands, and they cast an immense amount of votes over the duration of the competition. With over 130,000 SMS votes being received during the elimination rounds, it is clear that the KZN public embraced this competition, no doubt due to the high quality of broadcasting that they were able to enjoy over the last six weeks.”

Alberts Breed, Vodacom KZN Managing Executive, said that “we at Vodacom wish to congratulate the two remaining contestants as they have done themselves proud. By exhibiting such skill, as well as endless amounts of dedication and commitment, they have contributed to making this event a resounding success. By giving Ukhozi FM listeners the final say over which of the aspiring DJ’s were eliminated, we hope to have endorsed Vodacom’s ‘Power to You’ slogan. The amazing response from Ukhozi listeners’ is proof that this competition attracted some of KwaZulu Natal’s top broadcasting talent”.

Speaking about the Vodacom M-PESA service, Breed said that “in South Africa, there are millions of economically active people without a bank account. With Vodacom M-PESA, users can transfer money via their cellphones to other M-PESA users without needing to have a bank account. The service has no joining fee, monthly charges or minimum balances, and is easy to use. As such, Vodacom’s M-PESA service is just another important way that we can empower our valued customers to make their lives easier”.