On the 13th December 2011 at 8pm on Connected 2 Jazz ((13 December 2011 at 8pm), Nigel Vermaas will be paying tribute to the late Zim Ngqawana (25 December 1959 – 10 May 2011).
A big thank you to the media houses, individuals and organisations who have been working furiously to get word out about Bush Radio’s current financial situation. Everyone at the station appreciates the moral support we are receiving.
Our appeal continues however, any donation or investment through advertising or sponsorship is welcome. We are especially appealling to large corporates to show their support of a Free Independent Media to assist us in growing the station.
If you would like to make a donation here are the details (or see our Request letter):
Name of Account : Bush Radio
Name of bank : Standard Bank
Branch name : Mowbray
Branch code : 02-4909
Account number : 07 122 0194
Swift code (for foreign transfers): SBZA ZA JJ
Address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, South Africa, 7705
Below is a snippet of the media coverage we have been receiving in the past week:
The signage that greets you on arrival at the Bush Radio offices
Dear Friend,
For more than two decades Bush Radio has been at the forefront of broadcasting in South Africa, playing an integral part in the development and advancement of both the industry and individuals in the local broadcasting landscape.
Over the past three years, however, this pioneering radio station and training centre has been hit hard by the current economic climate, recently resulting in Bush Radio having to re-evaluate its operations in order to remain sustainable and influential in this fast-changing and exciting environment.
Tragically, this institution and symbol of media freedom is teetering on the brink of closure unless it can find a substantial amount of cash to cover rent, transmission and other running costs.
Watch a video clip of some of the training done at Bush Radio (click here):
Our landlord has given us until the 31 August to come with a tangible proposal, and we have decided to use this time to try and raise this money. The total cost we are trying to raise is R300,000 = Euro 30,000 = US $ 43,000.
Bush Radio provides a valuable, relevant and much-needed service in the communities of the Western Cape. Our legacy of assisting and being supported by communities all around the Cape is extensively documented, and due to our role as the pioneer of community radio in South Africa, we feel that our work is not yet done.
Bush Radio provides broadcast training to individuals, radio stations and media institutions in Africa, with a special focus in all the countries of Southern Africa. Bush Radio also has partnerships with organisations such as Public Achievement in Northern Island, which focuses on youth development and civic participation.
We hereby request you to assist us in this fundraising venture by making a donation, requesting your friends and colleagues to make a donation, or asking your company to make a donation.
All donations, irrespective of size, are welcome.
Donations can be paid directly into Bush Radio’s bank accounts and the details are:
Name of Account : Bush Radio
Name of bank : Standard Bank
Branch name : Mowbray
Branch code : 02-4909
Account number : 07 122 0194
Swift code (for foreign transfers): SBZA ZA JJ
Address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, South Africa, 7705
Busisiwe Mtabane, presenter of Sakhisizwe interviewing Mildred Mme Lesiae
On Tuesday the 9th August 2011, Bush Radio 89.5FM celebrated National Women’s day at Mildred ‘Mme’ Lesiae’s house in Gugulethu. Mme is one of the leading women who organised a women’s march on the 9th August 1956 from Cape Town to Pretoria.
The four-hour emotional event was attended by more than 25 women of different ages, and two of our shows Sakhisizwe by Busisiwe Mtabane and Backchat by Lelethu Mquqo were broadcast from Mme’s house.
The young women interviewed by Lelethu Mquqo were, from left to right, Zimasa Ndzule, Siphokazi Xameni, Nothando Zama Zantsi, Philiswa Saliwa, Siyasanga Ndlwana and Busisiwe Rhafu.
According to Bush Radio’s Managing Director Brenda Leonard, the purpose of the event was to give all veterans the opportunity to tell their stories and for young people to learn from it.
The wise and old women took us back to the struggles and challenges they faced under the apartheid regime, telling us stories of the bad treatment they received in various places of work.
Lelethu Mquqo for Backchat, interviewing Grace de Klerk
Lelethu Mquqo, presenter of Backchat, said: “The event was uplifting and very inspirational; I was overwhelmed by the wisdom of the older women. The younger women I interviewed however gave me hope that not all is lost and there are some young people who are continuing with the struggle.”
‘It was very interesting and inspiring to talk to these women and we need more of these events,” said Busisiwe Mtabane, presenter of the Sakhisizwe show.
The veterans were joined by three young women who shared their experiences in the new democratic South Africa. Zimasa Ndzule; Public Relations student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, said: “The event was very touching and it made me realise how I should appreciate and acknowledge my mother who made me the woman I am today.”
Tammy Fisher, Bush Radio production assistant, with ANC Women's League veterans; Florrie De Villiers and Dorothy Gopie.
The Bush Radio 89.5FM Women’s Day event touched the lives of all those who tuned into the show. The saying “you strike a woman, you strike a rock”, was indeed a true reflection of the spirit of togetherness amongst women.
Mme, a very wise woman, who invested a great amount of time into the fight for women liberation said: “Alone you can’t do it, we were six people and started an organisation, it spread and many women joined in because we were able to mobilise and it became a home to many people.”
Ezra Ngcukana, tenor sax, Wesley Rustin, bass, Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa. January 2010. (Photo courtesy of John Edwin Mason, 2010)
We thought 2010 was a bad year for South African jazz but 2011 seems to be rivalling it. We have already lost Duke Ngcukana, Ernest Mothle and Zim Ngqawana.
On his CONNECTED 2 JAZZ show on Bush Radio 89.5 fm on Tuesday 7th June from 8 – 10 pm, Nigel Vermaas will be celebrating the lives of the two Ngcukana Brothers who passed away within 9 months of each other, Ezra and Duke, as well as their father, Christopher Columbus Ngcukana aka Mra. Helping me to remember the family will be the youngest of the brothers, Mfana Ngcukana, musicians Sylvia Mdunyelwa, George Werner and Mark Fransman, as well as writer Sindiwe Magona They all have unique insights into these three strong personalities and enduring artists.
We will also feature Zim Ngqawana’s version of YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME, a composition by Mongezi Feza (of the Blue Notes) which became closely identified with Ezra. Zim was a pallbearer at Duke’s funeral. In due course CONNECTED TO JAZZ will honour this jazz giant.
Nigel has broadcast documentary-style tributes to a number of our departed jazz heroes including Winston “Mankunku” Ngozi, Miriam Makeba, Johnny Fourie, Alex van Heerden, Robbie Jansen, Gito Baloi and Hotep Idris Galeta.
CONNECTED 2 JAZZ can be heard every Tuesday night from 8 – 10 on Bush Radio 89.5 fm. Aside from playing a wide range of jazz, it also attempts to explore the connections between jazz and other music.
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
