Johannesburg’s HOT 102.7FM has once again flown the South African flag high, winning two prestigious honours at the 2025 New York Festivals Radio Awards — marking the station’s third consecutive year of international recognition at the event known as the “Oscars of the radio industry.”

The station brought home a Bronze Award in the News Documentary/Special category for its mental health series Derailed, and a Finalist Certificate in the Human-Interest Feature category for Blindspot, which tackled the frustration of broken traffic lights and growing commuter rage in Johannesburg.

Both award-winning series were produced by HOT 102.7FM’s Head of News, Tara Penny, whose ability to craft compelling, resonant stories continues to push the boundaries of local radio journalism.

Derailed, timed to coincide with World Mental Health Day, featured raw and heartfelt interviews with healthcare professionals, well-known personalities, and everyday South Africans — all bravely opening up about mental health challenges. These narratives were woven into emotive audio pieces that played out in HOT 1027’s news bulletins.

Blindspot confronted a problem many Jo’burg residents know all too well — the absence of working traffic lights and the anger that often erupts on the roads. The station’s news team spoke to behavioural experts, traffic authorities, and community members to understand what’s fuelling the rage, resulting in a series that struck a chord with listeners.

The wins drew praise from across the country.

“This achievement is a testament to the world-class talent and creativity we have in South Africa,” said Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. “We celebrate your success and the way you continue to showcase our country’s excellence on the global stage.”

William Bird, Director of Media Monitoring Africa, called HOT 102.7FM’s continued success “extraordinary.”

“What’s so impressive is the variety of stories. These are pieces that go beyond doom and gloom — they resonate, they matter, and they make a difference. HOT 102.7FM is creating a new blueprint for what meaningful radio news should be.”

With three consecutive years of recognition at one of the world’s most competitive awards platforms, HOT 102.7FM is proving that powerful, people-first journalism can start at home — and be heard around the world.