By Polelo Madisha
From humble beginnings at the heart of Tshwane University of Technology’s campus radio, to commanding the national stage, Baphelile Sambo, a former TUT FM presenter and proud TUT alumna, is soaring as one of South Africa’s most dynamic broadcast producers.
Sambo has officially joined 702, taking the reins as producer of the station’s flagship Breakfast Show alongside veteran host, Bongani Bingwa, on Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa. Her appointment marks a defining moment not only in her own career but for the legacy of campus radio, demonstrating the calibre of talent nurtured by TUT FM.
Her radio journey began in the corridors of TUT FM, while she was still a journalism student at TUT. Here her voice, curiosity and fearless storytelling first found an audience. One of her early breakthrough moments was co-hosting the breakfast show, where together with her team, she broke a gripping investigative feature on Bluetooth Nyaope, a story that captured national headlines and brought urgent attention to the drug crisis in the community of Soshanguve.
Sambo’s career path has indeed been inspiring. After leaving TUT FM, she joined eNCA as a bulletin producer, sharpening her newsroom experience. She later moved to power FM, where she produced two of the station’s most respected current affairs programmes – Power Perspective with Denzil Taylor and later Thabiso Tema. Now, in one of the most prominent roles to date, Bapsy as she is affectionately known, steps into the high-pressure world of prime-talk radio, shaping conversations on one of the country’s most influential platforms. Her appointment at 702 is both a personal milestone and a proud moment for the TUT FM community to shine.
Baphelile Sambo, new Content Producer at 702
“Baphelile represents the very best of what campus radio can produce - a fearless journalist, a sharp producer and a true storyteller. Her journey will inspire the next generation of broadcasters who walk through the doors of TUT FM every day,” said Station Manager, Kedibone Tshelela.
TUT FM remains committed to nurturing new voices, building industry-ready talent and ensuring that stories from the community echo on the national stage - just as Baphelile Sambo’s story has.