Tuks FM, the University of Pretoria’s iconic campus radio station, officially launched its #TuksFM45 campaign, marking 45 years of broadcasting, innovation, and community building. The campaign honours the station’s remarkable legacy and outlines a bold vision for the future.

Founded on 9 February 1981, Tuks FM was one of the first community broadcasters in South Africa to be granted an FM broadcasting license. Since then, the station has transformed itself into a dynamic multimedia platform with a growing digital footprint, while continuing to serve as a powerful voice for students and young South Africans.

“The #TuksFM45 campaign has been in the works for over a year, and we are incredibly proud to finally share it with our listeners and stakeholders,” said Lwazi Mpofu, Station Manager at Tuks FM. “This is more than a celebration, it’s a moment of reflection, of honouring the many volunteers, partners, and alumni who have helped build this institution. Tuks FM has always been more than just a radio station, it’s a family, a training ground, and a space where South Africa’s next generation of storytellers is shaped.”

As part of the campaign, the station is producing the #TuksFM45 Documentary Series, a multi-part visual project filmed at GIBS and across the Hatfield campus. The series features interviews with former volunteers, station managers, and alumni, bringing to life the rich history of the station and showcasing rare archival material from the University of Pretoria archives.

Audiences can also look forward to a variety of throwback segments both on-air and across digital platforms, celebrating unforgettable moments from the station’s four-and-a-half-decade journey. As part of the #TuksFM45 celebrations, the station has introduced a special logo honouring 45 years of impact and innovation.

“We are excited to spotlight the people and stories that have made Tuks FM what it is today,” added Nicole da Silva, Programme Manager at Tuks FM. “Our listeners will see just how many incredible broadcasters, thought leaders, creatives, and journalists got their start right here in our studios. The #TuksFM45 campaign is about celebrating that legacy and using it as fuel to propel us forward into the next chapter.”

What began nearly 45 years ago in a small house across from campus, with one small studio and a dream, has grown into one of South Africa’s most respected and resilient media platforms. That pioneering spirit lives on in every volunteer who walks through Tuks FM’s doors.

Join the celebration and be part of the legacy. Share your Tuks FM memories and moments using #TuksFM45 across all social media platforms.