The Telkom Radio Awards aim to recognise excellence and innovation within the South African radio industry, and the awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, 6 December 2025, at the Sandton Convention Centre, says the station.
The Joyride's, Nico van der Westhuizen, and OFM's Cycling Santa project have been recognised as finalists in the respective categories. Van der Westhuizen, the voice on air weekdays 15:00 to 18:00, is Central South Africa's co-pilot, aiming to effortlessly turn the commute into a warm, engaging and shared journey home, adds the station.
He is aims to be relatable and to create a genuine connection. He aims to converse, sharing personal anecdotes and reacting to listener voice notes. Van der Westhuizen aims to embody the OFM spirit, says the station.
"I'm thrilled — and a little stunned — to be nominated for Best Drive Show Presenter at the Telkom Radio Awards. I'm just the guy behind the wheel on The Joyride. Nikki, JayBee, and Kayla are the engine, GPS and 'force' that keep the show running smoothly and our listeners smiling. Without this dream team, I'd just be talking to myself in a studio," says Van der Westhuizen.
"Thank you to everyone at OFM for being the ultimate pit crew. This nomination may have my name on it, but it's a shared victory for the entire OFM family," says Van der Westhuizen.
The Cycling Santa project was born when a long-standing sponsor of Carols by Candlelight withdrew, placing OFM's 20-year Christmas gift tradition at risk. To ensure that the spirit of giving lived on, OFM aims to reinvent the initiative into a mobile, community-driven campaign that brings festive cheer directly to listeners, adds the station.
"What an honour to be nominated for these two awards," says Anchen Lintvelt, Sales and Marketing Manager of OFM. "OFM is proud to represent Central South Africa at the Telkom Radio Awards on 6 December and can't wait to share our successes with our audience who listens to us and support our initiatives daily."
OFM's programming manager Tim Thabethe adds the nominations aim to reflect the station's ongoing commitment to delivering quality content and meaningful community engagement.
"Nico van der Westhuizen is deserving of the nomination as a showcase of the effort and creativity he applies to the afternoon drive show The Joyride. To get a community project nomination for Cycling Santa speaks also volumes of the work the OFM brand puts behind supporting its listening audience," says Thabethe.
"Over the past decade, it has been an honour to reflect on how OFM has driven positive change in the communities we serve while compiling our Radio Awards entries," says Elzette Boucher-Krüger, Content Manager of OFM. "It offers a glimpse into the hard work and dedication behind the scenes, as well as the real impact of our campaigns. Even if not every entry receives a national nod, we can all be proud of the excellent work delivered."
The Telkom Radio Awards aim to honour outstanding achievement across the industry, setting a benchmark for radio professionals and stations nationwide. OFM is honoured to be recognised among this year's nominees, concludes the station.
For more information, visit www.ofm.co.za. You can also follow OFM on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributon