Tru calling for presenter

Support from family and friends, as well as talent, have landed Port Elizabeth radio presenter Makosandile “Boyz” Mpunzi a spot in the top two of TruFM’s second Tru Talent Search competition. Mpunzi, who is neck-and-neck with Mdantsane’s Silulami Bunu in the radio presenting category, believes he has the potential to win. “I’m really excited about this. It is huge for me considering that it’s my first time entering a competition like this. I do think I can win. Support from friends, family and everyone else has been amazing. The announcement was made last Friday after a three-week process of elimination that saw the initial top 18 narrowed down to the final two. The Tru Talent Search competition kicked off in June in Mdantsane and progressed through the province to eight towns for auditions in the music, dance and radio presenting categories. Participants in the radio presenting category were given the opportunity to co-host some of the shows on TruFM and lobby for listener votes to progress past the elimination rounds, which took place every Friday. Mpunzi, who was born and raised in Duytwa, first encountered the world of radio presenting in 2014 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s in-house station Madibaz Radio while pursuing his undergraduate studies at the institution. His stint at the station, which ended last year, saw him present for a drive time show called Drive Thru 46. This year he began presenting Bay FM’s Drive Show on weekdays from 3 to 6pm. Mpunzi, who lives in  Summerstrand, attributes his love for media and communications to his upbringing and involvement in various activities during high school. "I enjoyed debating, public speaking competitions and so on, so when I got to university I realised I enjoyed radio and decided to go for it.” Madibaz station manager Sakikaya Makapela, who also encouraged Mpunzi to enter the competition, said he was excited about the news. “It’s been a very exciting journey watching him progress throughout the competition. Deep down I knew it was  possible for him to reach this point. With more mentoring from a professional station such as TruFM, his career could be destined for greatness.” The winner will receive R10000 in cash, as well as a one-year contract as TruFM presenter, among other prizes. Voting for the radio presenting category closes tomorrow at noon. To vote for Mpunzi, SMS DJ 9 to 32666. There is a charge of R1 per SMS.