Women Shaping the Future of Broadcasting: Kgalalelo Lekutle

“Women in broadcasting are not just voices on air, but are the real bridges between communities and the truth.” These are the words of Mahikeng FM current affairs host Kgalalelo Lekutle.

Lekutle’s media career began when she was cast as a radio presenter in a play at her church. That one performance would change the course of her life when someone in the audience saw her potential and later recruited her into radio.

She walked into the studio not knowing what to expect, but would leave each time increasingly assured that behind the microphone was where she belonged. Seven years later, the North West-based on-air personality says radio is more than a career – it is a dream come true.

For Lekutle, radio is also a form of therapy. The platform grounds her and puts her at ease, particularly on difficult days. Through her work as a presenter, she has found an opportunity to become a voice for those who are often unheard.

She has used the airwaves to serve the people of Mahikeng. Her show, Tsa Loago, has helped community members navigate municipal service delivery challenges and access essential services, including obtaining critical documents from Home Affairs and resolving electricity-related issues.

Lekutle regularly engages with government departments to ensure they remain accountable and accessible to the communities they serve. She has also used her platform to help reconcile families and foster stronger relationships among community members.

Her work is a powerful demonstration of the role community radio can play beyond entertainment and information. Through her voice, Lekutle has shown how broadcasting can be a tool for problem-solving, advocacy, accountability and, ultimately, bringing communities together.