A year of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the founding of Algoa FM culminated in presenters riding the world’s longest over-the-ocean zipline in Mossel Bay.
A year of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the founding of Algoa FM culminated in presenters riding the world’s longest over-the-ocean zipline in Mossel Bay.
“We specifically chose Mossel Bay as the destination for our final roadshow because it anchors the Algoa Country broadcast footprint, which stretches trom the Garden Route to the Wild Coast, and inland through the Karoo,” says Algoa FM managing director Alfie Jay.
During 2026, Algoa FM hosted six birthday celebration outside broadcasts roadshows, to showcase the station’s “on air, online, and on the ground” presence across Algoa Country.
The events provided listeners and advertising partners the opportunity to meet senior management and presenters, and to experience the impact Algoa FM has in its broadcast footprint, “and we were blown away by the support from our listeners. People went out of their way to come and meet us at each of the activations,” says Jay.
The venues were selected to illustrate the different aspects that go into the business of radio.
Over the past 40 years Algoa FM has grown to become the biggest private media company in the Eastern Cape and Garden Route, with a strong presence on air, online through its website and social media, and on the ground through ongoing appearances by presenters throughout the region.
The first stop during the year was Komani (formerly Queenstown), which is the gateway to the eastern edge of the Great Karoo, where the focus was on business.
Algoa FM’s sales consultants were on hand to discuss ways of stimulating the local economy by growing the businesses in the area while enjoying a complimentary cup of coffee.
The next stop was lifestyle-focused, at the annual Robert Sobukwe (Graaff Reinet) Stoep Tasting, of which Algoa FM is the media partner.
Fun (at Algoa, fun is a serious business) was the theme for the two metros – Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City.
Hosted at major shopping centres, the activations included dance-off competitions with prizes for the public.
In George, the activation was held on the day prior to the annual Algoa FM Charity Golf Day, and maintained a lifestyle golf theme, with a giant golf net and prizes for heavy hitting public.
The last stop in Mossel Bay combined fun with adventure – and business.
“Overall, the roadshows have worked well and seem to have resonated positively with the areas visited. Thank you to everyone who visited with us and made it worth our while, particularly in regard to the high levels of engagement experienced, the memories shared, and the new adventures which will no doubt provide future nostalgia.
“Our journey through Algoa Country also took place during a period in which field work was being carried out for radio audience measurement by the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa - and we look forward to measuring the impact ,” says Jay.
