From the archive: Noam Chomsky

Time for something old on the Bush Radio blog, we’ve decided to dig through the mountain of photographs in the office and start posting them on the blog.

In 1998 we had the privilege of hosting acclaimed American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, political activist and author; Noam Chomsky at the station.

With Noam Chomsky is our former MD, Zane Ibrahim and the late R.O. Dudley. See if you can spot a very young Victor J, Brenda Leonard, Bassie Montewa, Damian Zane and Jan Weintrob

A few weeks after the visit he sent us an e-mail stating: 

“It was one of the high points of a very exciting and instructive visit, and I was really pleased to have the opportunity to be with you for a few hours.

I would also like to tell you how impressed I was with what I saw and heard at Bush Radio. I have had quite a lot of contact with popular media in the United States, and often elsewhere, and have rarely come across achievements comparable to yours. There is no doubt in my mind that community radio is, in general, one of the most important ways to develop a basis for meaningful functioning democracy. In my own (fairly extensive) experience, I have found abundant evidence to support this conclusion.“

*You can catch some of the talks by Noam Chomsky during the Political Hour slots on Bush Radio which airs every Monday and Friday at 21h00*

Only 4 phones left and recapping the winners so far

We are entering the final few weeks of the Bush Radio / Vodacom LG KP265 cellphone give away. We only have 4 phones left, so get sms’ing RICA to 32158 now!

We thought we’d recap the names of winners incase you missed it on-air

They are:

Olwethu Mhlontlo, Brendon Langeveldt, Elliot Dyasi, Joanne Philander, Myrtle Fortuin, Solomzi Baart, Zoorreyah Orie and Valerie Kenneth.

You could join this lucky list. Get you entry in now!

Keeping the youth moving

A youth participant calling his mother- image courtesy of YMM

During the June school holidays, Bush Radio was hard at work with a group of young people in Mitchells Plain from the Youth Media Movement (YMM).

Our former trainee news editor, Nadia Samie who just returned from the University of Southern Illinois in the United States where she completed her Masters in Professional Media and Media Management, conducted three intensive week long training sessions based at Glendale High School and at our studios in Salt River.

The YMM asked Bush Radio to provide media and radio training for the young people due to our experience of training young people in media skills through our Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW) project.

We feel that it is essential for all young people to be exposed to this kind of training as media surrounds everyone, shaping their views on issues and their understanding of world events, from TV to radio, and newspapers to using Facebook and Twitter.

This type of training is essential to show young people how to produce media, and it also equips them with the skills to understand and interpret the media messages bombarding them every day.

For most of the young people, this was their first interaction with media production and judging from their enthusiasm, it won’t be their last.

Besides discussing the power and influence of the media, part of the course also entailed making public service announcements (PSAs).

When the participants heard that the Programme Integrator gave approval for their PSAs to be played on air, students excitedly called their parents saying, “ek gaan op die radio wees, sit dit op 89.5fm”.

Music and laughs

***WATCH SELECTED VIDEO CLIPS OF THE EVENT – CLICK HERE***

While it seemed like the whole of South Africa was putting the final preparations together for the FIFA Soccer World Cup final – and a few warned us about the impact of hosting this event – Bush Radio was organising an evening of music and comedy for the Bush Radio / Vodacom Community Funny Festival.

Everyone was captivated by the performances

After weeks of careful planning, sound checks, rehearsals and running around it all came together on the evening of July 9 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone.

Dyllan and Victor hosted the first part of the evening

Excited listeners and supporters arrived early to wait for the doors to open at 5pm.

Denisia kept things moving backstage

Shiraaz Ismail was tasked to head the Bush Radio team which included Denisia Adams, Victor Jay, Sive Msolo, Dyllan Canterbury, Brenda Leonard, Elroy Williams, Belinda Sepkit, Sharon Salies and Adrian Louw.

Great job guys!

Shaz & B encouraged the crowd to come with them

Byron Clarke asked the audience to imagine their Cape Town

We at Bush Radio would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the Stereotype Records family, especially Chad Saaiman and Byron Clarke, as well as SA/Canadian artist, Zaki Ibrahim, and local duo Shaz & B who all had the crowd begging for more. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH SELECTED CLIPS)

Chad Saaiman getting soulful

Zaki Ibrahim expressing her joy

Thanks also to the comedians Ndumiso Lindi, Zinzi Mangweni and Riaad Moosa who had the audience in stitches with their fantastic stand-up routines. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH SELECTED CLIPS)

Ndumiso Lindi was the host for the second half of the event

Zinzi Mangweni keeping it real

The doctor, Riaad Moosa prescribed lots of laughs

Our thanks also to Eddy Cassar and Parveen Dalvie – from Eddy Cassar PR – and Lucille Peter from Vodacom.

And most importantly, a very big and special thank you to the Bush Radio listeners and supporters who came out to enjoy this event with us.

Ndumiso Lindi getting some audience participation

We have heard your requests for more – and hope to satisfy them soon!

RIP – Robbie Jansen 1949 – 2010

A legend: Robbie Jansen

It is with great sadness that we at Bush Radio learnt of the passing of legendary Cape Town based musician Robbie Jansen.

Uncle Robbie as he was known to many of the young people at the station was always willing to come into the studio to talk about music and share some of the life lessons he had learnt.

His version of Mannenburg was used by several talk shows on Bush Radio through the years and even the  newsteam would use his music in their current affairs programme.

We will miss you.

Tonight (7 July 2010) on Bush Radio 89.5 FM from 20h00 – 22h00, Backchat’s Bassie Montewa will be host a special tribute programme to one of our true folk heroes. To share your feelings, thoughts and special memories call the studio on 021 448 6266.

Saying hello and goodbye (+ job ad)

Belinda getting down to business

Since 1998, whenever you called Bush Radio during the day you would hear “Good afternoon Bush 89.5. How can I help you?”. (CLICK TO LISTEN)

This greeting has become Belinda Sepkit’s signature whenever you call the Mother of Community radio in Africa.

You have until the end of July to hear that famous greeting as Belinda will be leaving the station to embark on a new journey in her career.

Bush Radio management has always received good feedback for Belinda’s pleasant and professional telephone manner.

Belinda is normally very shy, so we are grabbing this opportunity to showcase her as she has been a valuable asset to the station; whether it was taking calling and making sure we return them or making sure that all incoming mail is dealt with.

If you feel that you could fill Belinda’s shoes or know anyone who could, we are now advertising for the position of frontline receptionist (see ad below).

Congratulations to Belinda and we wish her well in her future endeavours.

Remember if you would like to hear that greeting, call 021 448 5450 and order your tickets for the Vodacom Community Comedy Festival from Belinda now.

—————————-

Frontline Receptionist position available at Bush Radio 89.5 FM

Bush Radio 89.5FM, a community radio station based in Salt River, is looking for a Frontline Receptionist.

The ideal candidate should have at least two years’ experience as a frontline reception, be presentable with a good telephone manner, and have basic administration skills.

Duties include: – Answering a busy 10-line switchboard – Dealing with all incoming and outgoing correspondence – Dealing with listener queries and complaints – Petty cash – Other admin duties.

Email your CV with contactable references and a motivation letter to ideas@bushradio.co.za . No telephonic inquiries will be accepted.

Closing date: 9th July 2010. Candidates should be able to start immediately.

Win tickets to the Bush Radio/Vodacom Community Funny Festival

We are giving away 10 double tickets for the Bush Radio Vodacom Community Funny Festival on the 9^th July.

The Comedians

To win one of these double tickets and join us for an evening of comedy and music sms FUNNY to 32158.

We will draw the lucky 10 and announce the winners in the Morning Cruise with Denisia Adams this Tuesday (6 July 2010) between 9 and 12 am.

The musicians

So get sms’ing – that’s FUNNY to 32158 (line closes 6 July at 09h00)– SMS cost R1 and free minutes do not apply.

Remember if you want to buy tickets for this amazing event featuring, Riaad Moosa, Shaz & B, Byron Clarke, Zaki Ibrahim and Chad Saaiman call Belinda on 021 448 5450.