The Sandton Times, has taken another significant leap forward with its flagship digital audio show, The Sandton Times Hour, being nominated for the 2024 APVA Podcast of the Year award.

• This nomination underscores the podcast’s impact and popularity, highlighting its role in bringing the pages of The Sandton Times to life through engaging radio and online broadcasts.
• The Sandton Times Hour is renowned for its in-depth interviews with influential personalities shaping Africa’s richest square mile and essential updates on local and broader topics.
• This nomination places the show in the spotlight, affirming its status as a top-tier podcast in the African media landscape.

The African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA) are Africa’s premier event recognizing outstanding audio talent across the continent. Scheduled for 27-28 September 2024, this year’s event promises to be a grand celebration of excellence in African audio content. With over 5’000 nominations spanning 14+ countries, the APVA awards aim to honour the unique perspectives and stories that African audio creatives bring to the global stage.

The 2024 APVA theme, ‘King of The Game’, celebrates the spirit driving African audio creatives. It acknowledges the journey toward excellence and innovation, highlighting the hard work, creativity, and leadership that define the nominees. Every participant embodies this spirit, demonstrating resilience, creativity, and a commitment to storytelling that resonates across the continent.

The Sandton Times Hour’s nomination coincides with its recent accolade of securing the third spot on Feedspot’s list of the 30 Best South Africa Podcasts for 2024. This list, released in May, evaluates podcasts based on relevancy, authority, social media followers, and freshness, further cementing The Sandton Times Hour’s reputation for high-quality, engaging content.

Adding to its achievements, The Sandton Times Hour has joined The Podcast Party, an initiative aimed at shaping a future where dialogue fosters positive change and empowers individuals to engage critically with the world. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for the show, broadening its reach and accessibility to a dedicated podcast audience.

Celebrating its two-year anniversary on Mix 93.8 this year, The Sandton Times Hour stands as a testament to the power of community-focused programming. The relentless dedication of its extended team to deliver engaging, relevant, and high-quality content has paid off, earning the show both acclaim and a loyal listener base.

The competition for the 2024 APVA Podcast of The Year is fierce, with other notable nominees including:

1. Mothers By Grace: A Christ-centered podcast focusing on the motherhood journey from an African perspective. Hosted by the dynamic trio Wacu, Charlene, and Kadzo, it offers raw, unfiltered conversations about the ups and downs of parenthood.
2. The Young God Podcast: Host Rodney Omeokachie brings a unique blend of creativity, confidence, and storytelling to address timeless topics in dynamic ways, making each episode thought-provoking and enlightening.
3. The Sound of Accra Podcast: Created by Adrian Daniels, this podcast showcases Ghanaian excellence through powerful interviews with top founders, entrepreneurs, and creatives of Ghanaian heritage or interest.
4. 234 Essential: Hosted by AOT2 and Ugochi, this podcast delves into Nigerian pop culture, providing accurate historical and societal context to trending topics, beyond just social media buzz.
5. The Expansive Podcast: Thought leaders John Sanei and Erik Kruger explore challenges modern businesses face, with a focus on leadership, organizations, and entrepreneurship, offering insightful and expansive conversations.

The APVA 2024 judges include prominent figures such as Heneka Watkis-Porter, an entrepreneur and podcast host; Angela Machua, a project and data management consultant at Afripods; Jonathan Warncke, managing director of the South African Podcasters Guild; Sean Loots, an award-winning radio presenter and podcast host; and Tony Onwuchekwa, a podcaster and radio consultant.

Other notable judges are Jennifer Kanari, a pro-voice talent and executive voice coach; Remi Olutimayin, a voice director and actor; Kevin Masaba, a Ugandan radio programmer and consultant; Ayo Moore, an award-winning copywriter and voice artist; Njeri Wangari, a Kenyan poet and communications consultant; Wangui Kimani, an award-winning poet and co-director; and Kabera Angel Amahoro, a journalist and creator of “Soetry.”

The Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists (APVA) is dedicated to discovering, amplifying, and celebrating African audio creatives. Through events like the APVA Awards, the organization aims to foster growth and development within the industry, elevating African voices and inspiring unity and pride in African achievements and narratives.

To listen to the nominated podcast show, The Sandton Times Hour, stream and subscribe on popular platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Iono.fm, Jollof Radio, Afripods and Podcast Party. Released every week, this engaging podcast is also available on The Sandton Times Homepage. Share it with your friends, family, and colleagues to make The Sandton Times Hour even more widely accessible.

Vote for The Sandton Times Hour for the 2024 APVA Podcast of the Year award. Remember, every vote counts, and your participation is crucial in determining the outcome. Voting closes 10 August 2024.

As The Sandton Times Hour prepares for the APVA awards, its nomination is a testament to its excellence in community-focused programming. This recognition is a milestone for the show, reflecting its commitment to delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences across Africa.