Kaya FM and the Wits Radio Academy hosted the welcoming evening for Radio Days Africa 2017. The evening set the tone for what can be expected at the conference this year.

Speakers and partners of Radio Days Africa had the opportunity to meet and interact with one another.

Kaya FM's managing director Greg Maloka speaking at Radio Days Africa's Speakers event in Rosebank. Picture: CHANTE SCHATZ

Kaya FM’s managing director Greg Maloka speaking at Radio Days Africa’s Speakers event in Rosebank. Picture: CHANTE SCHATZ

The variety of topics and speakers will allow the audience to grapple with the issues facing radio in the 21st century as well as the future of the industry.

Kaya FM’s managing director, Greg Maloka welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of radio and the industry at large. Maloka expanded on how radio practitioners shouldn’t get lost in the commercial aspects of radio. “It’s great to make great radio content, but it means nothing if all of it is for profit or more likes on social media”, said Maloka.

The programme is set to host 60 speakers, 19 of whom are international. According to Wits Radio Academy director Franz Kruger, those in attendance can expect a very exciting programme. Among the international speakers James Peterson from KFM in Uganda will be speaking broadly about the Ugandan radio landscape. Furthermore, Johannes von Weyssenhoff will expand on the Digital Radio Mondiale. Von Weyssenhoff said new digital technology can benefit both community and commercial radio stations as it will assist with the challenges facing access to signal.

The conference will be held at the University of Witwatersrand from the 5th – 7th July 2017.