Each month, one listener wins an intimate live performance by their favourite Afrikaans artist for themselves and nine guests. The artist records two songs and an extended interview at the SABC studios, with third-year ASE students responsible for the live recording under professional conditions, says the academy.
The session airs on the last Wednesday of every month at 16:15 during Spitstyd, with three additional songs performed exclusively for the winner and their guests, adds the academy.
For ASE, the initiative reflects a deliberate move toward deeper industry integration.
"Our partnership with RSG signifies our strategic intent to further integrate into the industry by building our ecosystem," says Mzi Kaka, Corporate Liasion at ASE. "It allows us to align our offering to industry needs through real-world skills development opportunities."
This involves students operating in a national broadcaster's ecosystem, recording broadcast-ready content with established artists, and working to the pace and standards of live radio production. The model forms part of ASE's growing work-integrated learning approach, aimed at positioning the institution as a production training arm and talent supplier to the broader media and entertainment sector, says the academy.
For RSG, the collaboration aims to strengthen programming by pairing established and emerging Afrikaans artists with professional live recordings and curated on-air storytelling. Artists who have participated include Elandré, Jakkie Louw, Joshua na die Reën, Amor Vittone and Jennifer Zamudio, adds the academy.
While only eleven performance slots are available across the season, the impact aims to extend beyond the winners. Listeners receive original, studio-quality performances. The partnership aims to provide opportunities for artists to gain nationally broadcast exposure and high-quality recordings, and for students to accrue critical practical hours in a live broadcast environment, says the academy.
At a time when creative industries increasingly demand experience alongside qualification, Woensdagwysie aims to offers a working example of how broadcasters and educational institutions can collaborate to strengthen both cultural programming and professional development, concludes the academy.
For more information, visit www.ase.co.za. You can also follow ASE on Facebook, Instagram, or on TikTok.
*Image courtesy of contributor