Cape Town has lost another jazz legend. Ronnie Green passed away on the 15th April 2018.
Ronnie was a former volunteer presenter on Bush Radio and was a giant in the Cape Town jazz music scene as the host of Ronnie Green’s Jazz Scene which he ran from his home. It was a place where many received an education and appreciation for the music he loved.
Ronnie chatting to Sathima Bea Benjamin at Bush Radio
Mr Green, as he was affectionately called at Bush Radio was born on the 16th March 1939 and was introduced to the station by our former MD, Zane Ibrahim.
Our condolences to all who knew Mr Green, especially his family and friends. Ronnie, you made the world a better place.
Ronnie with Archie Schepp broadcasting from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival
* Bush Radio is publishing the full press statement below issued by concerned community radio station managers in the interests of the community radio sector
13 April 2018
Sentech action gags community radio – A call to protect this valuable resource of community radio which provides media access to marginalised peoples.
More than 6 community radio stations across the country – including Hope FM, Forte FM and Karabo FM – are no longer broadcasting to their communities because their Sentech accounts are in arrears. Dozens of other stations are receiving threatening letters saying they face a “suspension of their services” if they do not pay up immediately.
“We asked to make a payment arrangement with Sentech, but the company’s expectations for a payment plan were unrealistic,” Duncan Sinthumule, Station Manager from Karabo FM in Free State says.
Sentech then declined the payment plan offered by the Karabo FM and wanted the station to pay R116,458.00 “immediately” with monthly payments of R52,152.90 for 18 months until the debt is settled.
”We cannot even afford to pay R15,000.00 per month, how will we be able to stick to their payment plan?” Sinthumule said.
As non-profit entities, community radio stations are expected to raise their own funds through advertising, sponsorship and fundraising.
The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), a SOE created with the mandate to amongst others “promote media development and diversity by providing support primary to community and small commercial media projects” only receives a small budget from the Department of Communications (DOC), and cannot provide support to over 200 community radio stations in South Africa.
Radio stations have called for a meeting with Minister of Communications Ms Nomvula Mokonyane to discuss the matter, with an expected meeting in the week of April 16.
Our demands follow…
We demand:
A moratorium on suspension of services by Sentech, and the switching-on of those stations taken off air
Debt write-off or DOC to release funds for Sentech debt
Restructuring of Sentech pricing for community radio stations
An annual grant to community radio stations
These demands are not unreasonable. As community radio stations, we operate under slow-growing economic climate that makes income via advertising very difficult.
Unlike commercial radio stations, we spend our broadcast hours promoting democracy, nationalism, social cohesion, cultural practices, local indigenous languages and local music. We educate, inform and entertain our communities we serve, and do this – in most instances – without any support from the government.
Taking community radio stations off air is an attack on media pluralism, negating the gains made in the media under the democratic government over the past 22 years. It will take us another 20 years to recover from this damage caused by Sentech.
We were very sorry to hear that Bronwyn van Graan passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 31. Bush Radio would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Bronwyn.
Bronwyn was part of Bush Radio for many years and participated in various projects at the station; from Alkemy (Alternative Learning Curriculum Mentoring Youth), radio drama projects, HIV HOP and the Bush Radio / Canada World Youth Exchange.
She also served as a host and producer for Sakhisizwe and was featured several times at the station for both her award-winning acting and social activism. Rest well Bronwyn.
Bush Radio is giving you and your partner the chance to attend both days of the 2018 Cape Town International Jazz Festival happening at the CTICC on the 23rd and 24th of March.
We are giving away a set of double passes to 2 lucky listeners.
To enter this lucky draw SMS the keyword: JAZZ + your name and surname to 32158. (You will receive a sms confirming your entry)
Each double weekend pass is valued at over R2500.
The SMS line will close at 10am on Friday 23 March and the winners will be announced after 11am during the Morning Cruise. * You will need to collect your tickets by 2pm Friday if you are a winner with positive identification.*
Enter as often as you like to improve your chances.
International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.
Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.
On Sunday the 25th February 2018 the Bush Radio crew came out in support of Open Streets Main Road. The team headed by Sive Msolo broadcast the Love Booth and Retro Rewind from the pavement. The Shiraaz “Cazzman” Ramjee also pulled through to do his programme as well as braaing some lekker boerewors, while Yuzriq Meyer, moved up and down Victoria Road bringing us the gees from what was happening all along the Main Road.
The next Open Streets is scheduled for Mitchells Plain on the 25th March 2018. Perhaps we can get the rest of the Sunday team out there. Let us know in the comments what you think or if you could support us with an outside broadcast.
International Condom Day (ICD) is an informal holiday usually observed on February 13 in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. ICD promotes safer sex awareness in a fun and creative way while encouraging people to use condoms.
The Bush Radio staff and trainees did a short video PSA and a song to help promote International Condom Day.
The Bush Radio staff and trainees did a short video PSA and a song to help promote International Condom Day.
13 February 2018 is World Radio Day– a day to celebrate radio as a medium: to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.
Radio is the mass media reaching the widest audience in the world. It is also recognised as a powerful communication tool and a low cost medium
We were very sorry to hear that Bronwyn van Graan passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 31. Bush Radio would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Bronwyn.
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