OFM has announced the launch of its ‘#BakkieArm’ initiative, a fundraiser born out of the Word of the Week feature. It will see 100% of its proceeds from the sales go to the Agri Securitas Trust Fund, a non-profit organization geared toward improving rural security.
The OFM Good Morning Breakfast, which airs weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00, recently entertained listeners with their weekly riddle Word of the Week.
During the feature, a novelty word is revealed to the audience, and they then have to guess what it means.
On Monday, 30 May, the word was ‘bakkie-arm’, which refers to a driver’s right arm, which is more tanned than their left arm due to prolonged exposure to the sun. Over the following few days, the breakfast team asked listeners to share their bakkie arms as well as advice on how to prevent this type of sunburn.
A piece of clothing pulled over the arm to block out the sun, and prevent the skin from tanning, was the solution. Towards the end of the week, presenter Shandor Potgieter unveiled the prototype of the ‘#BakkieArm’ and had the rest of the OFM team line up for a photo shoot — all for a laugh. However, due to the demand, the team says that it started to think beyond a mere ‘feel good’ campaign.
A ‘#BakkieArm’ sleeve can be purchased for a donation of R100 each on OFM’s website here.
“‘#BakkieArm’ is a great example of imagination, creativity and fun, underpinned by a strong purpose to do the right thing for our audience through the Agri Securitas Trust Fund. This is how the magic of radio comes alive and demonstrates its role in society to reflect and lead,” says OFM program manager Tim Thabethe.
Sales manager Anchen Lintvelt adds that OFM’s listeners have contributed to the creation of something wonderful.
“Not only will the OFM ‘#BakkieArm’ protect your arm against the sun, cool it off and make you look good, but everyone will also know that you are supporting this worthy cause. To everyone driving long hours, who works in the sun and farms to produce food — OFM salutes you,” adds Lintvelt.
According to Kobus Visser, director of rural safety and provincial affairs at Agri SA, the farming and rural community’s safety is not only a farmers’ issue but a community and a national food security issue.
“It is the farmers and farm workers that provide enough food daily on the table of South Africans and contribute to national stability. By supporting OFM’s ‘#BakkieArm’ initiative, the trust fund is supported and can contribute to securing our farmers and farm workers,” concludes Visser