9 August 1995 – South Africa’s first National Women’s Day – was chosen because we wanted to honour all the women who had been instrumental in giving rise to the community radio sector and establishing Bush Radio, in particular.
Listen to an audio documentary on Bush Radio and community radio
This year COVID19 has proven the importance of community media in helping the fight against the pandemic, by being a vital source of information and supporting the communities we serve through our programming.
Our events to celebrate 25 years of broadcasting were put on hold, but now we have an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve and look towards the next – dare we say it – quarter of a century!
Local songstress Ernestine Deanewill celebrate her homecoming on Wednesday 9 August, with her first full length concert in the Mother City since her return from Europe in 2016. She will feature an all-female band in honour of Women’s Day, playing the chilled, uplifting grooves that she is known for, all overlaid with her distinctive emotive vocals.
After launching her career with legendary hip-hop group Black Noise, Ernestine went on to join the iconic SA band Moodphase5ive. They were the first act signed to the revolutionary ‘90s indie label African Dope, who then signed Felix la Band as their second artist. Moodphase5ive headlined festivals and events around the country, while also supporting international acts such as Jazzanova in Prague, Asian Dub Foundation at Womad, and the Ninja Tunes tour with Amon Tobin in SA.
Fans who loved her music with Moodphase5ive can look forward to some reworked classics from that time, whilst Ernie will also showcase some brand new, never released material, and tracks from her debut solo album, Dub for Mama. Ernie has a deep commitment to working with and showcasing female artists, and the band for this first concert will feature rising young talents Nobuhle Mazinyane on keys and Tiana Marwanqana on electric bass, with stalwart Terryl Bell on drums and Carly Naute on violin.
***We are giving away a double ticket to a lucky Bush Radio listener – to enter the lucky draw all you need to do is sms the keyword HOME + Name and Surname to 32158 by no later than Tuesday (8 August 2017) by 10am. The winner will be announced in the Morning Cruise at 11am.***
9 August 1995 – Former Programme Co-ordinator; Shamiel X Adams, the late Ralton Praah, former station manager, Farah Moosa (behind the mic) and Adrian Louw (as published in the Cape Times)
As we celebrate the 19th National Women’s Day in South Africa, Africa’s oldest community radio celebrates 19th year of broadcasting legally in a democratic South Africa.
Saturday at 2pm marks the time Bush Radio 89.5FM switched on with a license from the broadcasting authority. The first person on air was volunteer news co-ordinator, Juanita Williams (currently the managing director of AllAfrica Global Media) who read the first news bulletin followed by former station manager, Farah Moosa and a host of guests from various organisations.
On Friday the 9th of August (National Women’s Day) 2013, Bush Radio, Africa’s oldest volunteer driven community radio station celebrates 18 (legal) years on-air.
Nigel Vermaas (host of Connected 2 Jazz) produced three promos (audio) for the programme. We thought we would share them here too. The promos feature Bassie Montewa the current host of Backchat as well as Dr Jeanne du Toit, Brenda Leonard and Sue Valentine and Victor J.
On the 9th August 2013, National Women’s Day, Bush Radio 89.5FM will be celebrating its 18th on-air birthday.
If you were a on-air volunteer, trainee or producer between 1995 and 2013 we would like to invite you to join Bassie Montewa on Backchat from 2 to 4pm on Friday the 9th August 2013 to share your experiences with listeners.
We want to find out how it was “back in the day”, how the experience changed you, affected your career choices and what you are up to now?
If you are able to join Bassie (in-studio or on the telephone) please fill in the form below or contact Isherene Siebritz on 021 448 5450 / marketing@bushradio.co.za to book your time back on air.
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.”
9 August 1995 - Former Programme Co-ordinator; Shamiel X Adams, the late Ralton Praah, former station manager, Farah Moosa (behind the mic) and Adrian Louw (as published in the Cape Times)
As South Africa celebrates National Women’s Day, we at Bush Radio also celebrate 16 years of legally being on air on 89.5FM.
To all our listeners, supporters, volunteers, trainees and staff: Thank you for keeping us Africa’s pioneering community radio station project.
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