What Lesedi Fm does

Lesedi FM is a Sesotho-language adult contemporary radio station broadcasting across South Africa, wholly owned and operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), a state-owned public broadcaster. Founded on 01 June 1960 and headquartered at SABC Westdene in Bloemfontein with additional studios in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, the station delivers music, news, current affairs, sports, drama (Monyaka soapie), gospel, traditional Sesotho content, and cultural programming to Sesotho-speaking audiences. Its distribution spans 25+ FM frequencies across nine South African provinces (Free State, Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape) at frequencies between 87.8 and 106.6 FM, complemented by global online streaming via lesedifm.co.za and active social media channels (Facebook 1M+, YouTube 7.9M+, X 171K+, Instagram 86K+).

The station ranks #4 among South Africa's top ten national favourite radio stations and reaches 3 million+ live listeners. Core product surface comprises live radio programming, an on-demand podcast archive (Monyaka, Re Kaofela, Jwale Ke Nako, Makgulong A Matala, Itlhabolle, Thoriso, Re a Thella), a branded merchandise line (locally crafted beaded and roped hats, T-shirts), and station-organised live events (Fill Up Toyota Stadium, All White Soul & Jazz Festival, Bua Monna Mens Conference, Ziyakhala Mo Sun City, Trip to Bali). A digital music submission service accepts tracks from SAMRO/SAMPRA/IMPRA-registered artists via musicsubmission.sabc.co.za.

Monetisation is anchored in advertising: SABC's omnichannel sales operation sells radio and digital packages to advertisers on a quote-based, multi-year contract basis; pricing is not publicly disclosed. No external funding, private equity involvement, or standalone financial disclosures exist, consistent with state-owned status. Recognised talent includes Lebo Maoela (Telkom Radio Awards 2024/2025 Best Afternoon Drive Presenter PBS), Nyakallo Leine (multiple MTN and DStv awards), Seipati Seoke, and Veli Moloi.

Name

Lesedi Fm

Legal name

Lesedi FM (SABC)

Website

https://lesedifm.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lesedi FM is a Sesotho-language adult contemporary radio station owned by SABC, broadcasting across nine South African provinces via 25+ FM frequencies and global streaming to 3 million+ listeners, monetised through advertising, branded merchandise, and live events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local Multicultural/Language Broadcasters (Spanish/Asian/Other Local Markets) (MPABACAI)

Keywords

• Radio broadcasting
• Sesotho language media
• Music programming
• Live audio streaming
• Podcast production

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloemfontein

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Advertising: SABC omnichannel advertising allowing advertisers to reach consumers across radio and digital platforms. Cost-effective marketing plans designed to fit various budgets with options for website and social media featuring.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lesedi FM is a Sesotho-language adult contemporary radio station broadcasting live FM radio across multiple South African provinces, delivering music, news, current affairs, sports, cultural content, and drama programming. The station supplements its live broadcasts with on-demand podcasts, branded merchandise, and station-organized live events, serving Sesotho-speaking and understanding audiences across South Africa and globally via online streaming.

Product overview

Lesedi FM is a single-product radio broadcasting service operated by SABC, broadcasting in Sesotho to Sesotho-speaking audiences across South Africa. The core offering is live radio programming (with approximately 3 million listeners) supplemented by on-demand podcast content. Supporting offerings include branded merchandise (hats and apparel) and station-organized live events. The radio programming itself is organized into distinct shows including news-driven programs (Dikalaneng, Makumane), current affairs (Imatlafatse, Matshohlo), music shows (Tse Ratwang Top 30, Party Time, Jazz, Merethetho), sports coverage (Dipapadi, Tsa Dipapadi), cultural/religious programming (Makgulong A Matala, Kgothala, Thoriso), and the drama soapie Monyaka. The Tse Ratwang Top 30 countdown and Re Kaofela entertainment show are notable branded program sub-products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tse Ratwang (Top 30): A flagship Top 30 chart show featuring international hits.
• Thakgoha Breakfast Show
• Re Kaofela
• Monyaka

Products and services

• Lesedi FM Radio Broadcasting A South African radio station broadcasting in Sesotho to Sesotho-speaking and understanding audiences. The station streams live and is ranked number four among the top ten national favorite radio stations in South Africa and in Gauteng Province, serving over 3 million live listeners.
• Lesedi FM Podcasts On-demand audio content including Monyaka (drama soapie), Re a Thella, Re Kaofela, Jwale Ke Nako, Makgulong A Matala, Itlhabolle, and Thoriso podcasts available via the station's podcast archive for listeners seeking on-demand access to favorite shows.
• Lesedi FM Merchandise Branded apparel and accessories including Lesedi FM Hats (Beaded Tshethse, Colourful Tshetse, Roped Mokorotle) and T-Shirts, crafted locally and available for purchase by listeners and fans.
• Lesedi FM Events Station-organized and hosted events including Ziyakhala Mo Sun City, Trip to Bali with Lesedi FM, Lesedi FM Love and Soul Experience, All White Soul & Jazz Festival, Fill Up Toyota Stadium, and Bua Monna Mens Conference, providing live entertainment experiences for listeners.
• Tse Ratwang (Top 30 Chart) Weekly chart countdown show airing weekdays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, counting down the top 30 songs taking over the airwaves with stories behind the hits.
• Re Kaofela Entertainment Show Entertainment news show featuring artist of the week, community diary, traditional Sesotho music features, celebrity corner, golden oldies mix, and listener's choice segments, airing weekdays 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
• Music Submission Service Digital music submission service accepting MP3 files (5MB or less), requiring SAMRO/SAMPRA/IMPRA registration, radio-edit tracks, and publishing information for music consideration by artists and labels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 million+ listeners
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Cassper NyovestmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCassper Nyovest partnership with Lesedi FM for the #FillUpToyotaStadium event on 6th December 2025 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. The event was a major music concert bringing significant audience engagement.
• Sekhorane Entertainment & ProjectsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSekhorane Entertainment & Projects partnered with Lesedi FM to host 'All White Total Praise and Worship' featuring Lebo Sekgobela at Emerald Casino in Vanderbijlpark on 18th October 2025.
• SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation)coreOthersLesedi FM is a radio station owned and operated by SABC. The station is headquartered at SABC offices in Bloemfontein with studios in Johannesburg.

Scale indicators7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LesediFM
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/lesedifmpicturestream
• Facebookfacebook.com/LesediFM
• Instagraminstagram.com/lesedifm/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@officiallesedifm?lang=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lesedi-fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lesedi Fm