Themed "5 Decades of 5," the celebrations fuses nostalgia with the future, honouring the sounds and icons that defined — and continue to shape and 'Ampli5' — Mzansi's youth movers and shakers, says the 5FM.

At the heart of the celebrations are three club parties that transport party animals through the past 5 decades' biggest styles and tunes — from the disco and funk, to pop icons and synth-driven anthems, to rock, hip-hop and house culture, the global pop crossover and Y2K dance floor energy of the 2000s — all the way through to the amapiano, Afrobeats and EDM that have put South Africa on the global stage today — all reimagined to make the decks, lights, screens and dance floor sizzle, says 5FM.

The Biggest Parties of 2025:

  • Saturday, 4 October: Origin Nightclub, Durban, featuring Smash Afrika, Zanele Potelwa and Das Kapital.
  • Saturday,11 October: Truth, Johannesburg, with Roger Goode, Stephanie Be, DJ Tshepi, Lula Odiba,
    Leah Jazz, Smash Afrika and Mike Bower.
  • Friday, 31 October: Halo, Cape Town, featuring Roger Goode, Stephanie Be and CINIMIN.

Ticket details will be made available exclusively on 5FM's airwaves, website, app and social media.

October Also Delivers:

  • Retro 5 On-Air: Every day, each show spins an iconic track from a different decade, taking listeners on a five year musical journey that aims to bring back the memories that the best loud and proud memories are made of.
  • Retro 5 Fridays: A reunion with 5FM voices as the station reconnects with former presenters who helped to shape South Africa's favourite youth radio station and its listeners.

5FM are also doinging some live broadcasts, added as some brands join the celebration. 5FM's socials and SABC PLUS also come alive with anything from presenter dance challenges to video tributes, and the whole 5 Nation is invited to join in, says 5FM.

Listeners are also standing a chance to win their share of R50 000. The 5FM Hype Meter is live across all social media and online platforms. The more listeners engage, the the more money's added to the pot. Every time a listener clicks into 5FM's website, goes on the app, or sends a WhatsApp — engaging, commenting and sharing — the Hype Meter climbs higher. When the meter breaks, that's when the winning moments drop. If 5FM calls, answer with "Get Hyped on 5" to claim a share of R50 000.

Speaking about the milestone, Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, says, "5FM has always been more than a radio station. It's the heartbeat of youth culture in South Africa. Turning 5 decades BOLD is massive, but what excites us most is that this celebration looks forward just as much as it looks back. October is going to be an unforgettable showcase of everything that makes 5FM epic — the music, the world-class content, the edgy conversations, the pumping event vibes, the hottest talent on SA radio, the heart for making the world a better place and, of course, the unstoppable party spirit."

For five decades, 5FM has aimed to be the stage for the bold, the brave, the loud and the young at heart. Now, with "5 Decades of 5," the station isn't just celebrating its legacy — it's spinning up the bass drop that aims to lay the foundation for the next half century, says 5FM.

Listeners can stay tuned to 5FM, download the 5FM app for iOS and Android, or visit 5FM's website for a change to get a showcase of all their best content on SABC PLUS, concludes 5FM.

For more information, visit www.5fm.co.za. You can also follow 5FM on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor