About OFM:
OFM is Central South Africa’s leading commercial radio station with offices in Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark.
Being the regional radio station with the second biggest footprint in the country, OFM broadcasts to the greater Free State, parts of North West, Northern Cape and Southern Gauteng.
OFM was originally a split of Radio Hoëveld broadcasting only four hours a day in the evenings under the name Radio Oranje (after the Orange Free State, its home province) on 1 July 1985. At that stage the station operated with a staff compliment of only three people – Christo Olivier, the station manager, Albe’ Grobbler, the programme manager and Bill Otto, the advertising manager. The station only had two full-time presenters, Manie Kitching and Johleen du Plessis. Jaco de Wet, a student at that time, helped out during weekends. OFM became a regional broadcaster on 1 July 1986.
OFM is known for its on-air radio talent. Controversial television and radio presenter Riaan van Heerden was part of the team from 2009 until 2011. Van Heerden presented the popular Mambo Jumbo, which aired weekdays from 15:00 – 18:00. Known for causing a stir with the Central South African audience, Van Heerden’s blog, the Mambo Jumbo blog was rated the number one blog according to amatomu.com in the Marketing and Media category in South Africa (www.amatomu.co.za). Tim Thabethe was another presenter on OFM. Thabethe, a Zulu man from KwaZulu-Natal with no knowledge of Central South Africa, its culture and its people, captured the heart of Central South Africa. During his tenure at OFM, when he presented the Breakfast Club, he embraced the audience and their language and thus grew OFM’s morning listenership to a record 323 000 by the time of his departure in 2013.
Today OFM boasts some of the country’s top presenters as part of the on-air team. The Breakfast Special with Andre Kunz and Anna Visser is the number one morning show in Central South Africa. Other members in the breakfast team include news anchor Leanne Nel, sport anchor Liezl Liebenberg, traffic presenter Cathy de Lange and producer Lebogang Kotsi. Johrne van Huyssteen of ddisselblom fame presents the mid-morning show Oppi Draadloos from 09:00 – 12:00. Yolanda Maartens presents the midday to 3pm show. Yolanda was found by OFM during a presenter search in 2009.
The new afternoon drive time show Siesta is the highlight of weekdays on OFM. Presented by one of the youngest talents in the country, Martin van Merwe, the show has already stolen the hearts of Central South African listeners. Since its launch in April 2013, reaction from listeners and clients has been phenomenal.
OFM is not only the sound of Central South Africa but also a caring company operating in central South Africa. OFM runs a social investment programme that is about building trust and relationships with the Central South African community. OFM runs four main community driven projects as part of giving back to the community.
The OFM Classic is one of the safest cycling events in South African cycling. OFM uses this platform to raise funds for deserving organisations or causes in its footprint. In 2012 the OFM Classic donated R25 000 to the Rotary Organisation and the Sunflower House. A further R30 000 was donated to the Tempe School of Armour in Bloemfontein.
The Spar OFM Carols by Candlelight is another community driven project that aims to gather as many toys and cash donations as possible for distribution to children’s homes across Central South Africa just in time for Christmas. Homes in Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Welkom, Vanderbijlpark, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp benefit from the generosity of the audience.
The Winter Warm Up with PEP and Vodacom aims to collect as many blankets as possible to keep Central South Africa warm during the cold winter months. In 2012, 18 000 blankets were collected – a total value of R629 100. The Shoprite Checkers OFM Chip 4 Charity celebrates Central South Africa’s love for golfing, Calling upon on businesses and government to raise funds for vulnerable children in the region. In 2012 the golf spectacular raised R120 000 in Bloemfontein and a further R40 000 in Kimberley.
Target Audience:
25 to 49 years old, LSM 7 to 10
Content of OFM:
Adult Contemporary, interspersed with news and views from the station’s team of on-air personalities. The community is strongly reflected. Exciting competitions form part of the station’s day to day activities. In 2005 the station gave away a house to the value of R2 million! The main competition campaigns in 2009 and 2010 was the 10 second challenge where listerners could win R50 000 by identifying 10 songs in 10 seconds and the Pack your bags campaign – where an “ever-so” friendly customs official, Smiley du Plessis stood between listeners and R1 million! In January 2011 the station gave away a DTV Roadrunner to the value of R151 000 as part of their Sound of your Summer campaign.
For more information, click on the link below:
OFM
