HOT 102.7FM Sweeps Best of Joburg and Ekurhuleni Radio Awards
HOT 102.7FM claims all six major radio category titles across both regions, with its Breakfast Show and presenters Simon Parkinson and Bunny Majaja dominating the listener-voted results.
HOT 102.7FM has delivered a clean sweep of the major radio categories at the 2026 Best of Joburg and Best of Ekurhuleni Readers’ Choice Awards, claiming all six first-place titles across Best Radio Station, Best Radio Show and Best Radio Personality in both regions.
The multi-award-winning commercial radio station was voted Best Local Radio Station in both regions, while HOT 1027 Breakfast with Parky, Bunny & Simon took Best Local Radio Show honours. Presenter Simon ‘Parky’ Parkinson completed the sweep, winning Best Local Radio Personality in both Joburg and Ekurhuleni.
Adding to the achievement, Bunny Majaja placed second in Joburg and third in Ekurhuleni, giving HOT 102.7FM two of the top three radio personalities in both regions.
The results mark HOT 102.7FM’s fifth consecutive Best Radio Station win in Joburg and its third consecutive win in Ekurhuleni, reflecting a sustained connection with listeners across two of Gauteng’s largest markets.
Organised by Caxton Media, the annual Best of Readers’ Choice Awards are now in their 31st year. The 2026 competition attracted more than one million votes across its categories, with over 7,000 businesses nominated, making the results a significant measure of local consumer preference.
Winning the hearts of listeners
“To be voted the best by the people who listen to us every day is something we never take for granted,” says Lloyd Madurai, Founder and Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM.
“Five consecutive wins in Joburg and three in Ekurhuleni don’t happen by chance. We’ve always said our goal is to be number one in the hearts of our listeners. These results tell us that we’re delivering on that promise. It comes down to having an incredible team, a clear vision and a relentless focus on producing world-class radio, consistently.”
The latest accolades add to an exceptional period for HOT 102.7FM. In 2025, the station was named Commercial Radio Station of the Year at the Telkom Radio Awards, followed by seven wins at the 2026 New York Festivals Radio Awards. It has also been recognised as a South African Growth Champion for two consecutive years.
BrandMapp research estimates that HOT 102.7FM reaches 710,000 regular listeners, reinforcing the scale of an audience that continues to grow around the station’s distinctive Old Skool and R&B sound and some of South Africa’s most respected radio personalities.
The latest listener-voted awards also follow the recent opening of HOT House, the station’s new home in Sandton. The development brings to life Madurai’s vision of a world-class radio station housed within a nightclub environment, with the launch of Studio 19 marking another milestone in the station’s continued investment in its future.
For Madurai, the awards reinforce the importance of understanding an audience and consistently delivering what it values.
“We’ve built HOT 102.7FM around exceptional content, authentic personalities and strong relationships with our listeners. That trust and loyalty are what make this station special, and they’re equally important to the advertisers and partners who invest in our brand.”
“These awards belong to our listeners and the entire HOT team. We’re grateful for the continued support, and our focus remains on making HOT 102.7FM even better every day,” concludes Madurai.
