The media in South Africa commemorates the 41st anniversary of the infamous “Black Wednesday” which happened on the 19 October 1977, The World and Weekend World newspapers and several organisations were banned.
We have come a long way to media freedom in this country. Being Africa’s oldest community radio station project, which at one stage faced the full wrath of the apartheid government, we feel it is our duty and responsibility to promote accurate and fair reporting.
Bush Radio does not have the resources to be a “breaking news” station, but it is our duty to be accurate and give our listeners an opportunity to make up their own minds. This however can only happen if we present all sides of any argument, through good research and having access to role-players like politicians on a local, provincial and national level – this is proving harder and harder as officials simply refuse to comment or respond to questions from our newsroom and producers.
We call on all role-players who have an interest in improving the lives of the people on the Cape Flats to be accessible, especially to community media who truly speak and represent the people of Cape Town. It is only by engaging on the hard questions that we can truly claim to be improving the lives of citizens – and being a platform where people and audience can engage with political and social leaders. Thereby learning, healing and growing this wonderful city.
As a place where many young journalists start in their careers, we call upon our audience to hold us accountable and engage with us around our reporting and broadcasts.
Background on Black Wednesday:
On this day in 1977 in South Africa, then Minister of Justice Jimmy Kruger, banned The World and Weekend World newspapers by stating that these publications were “publishing inflammatory material that threatened the nation’s security” and the paper’s editor Percy Qoboza and other journalists were arrested and jailed.
19 organisations were also banned and apartheid critics were detained.
The organisations banned were BPC, SASO, Black Community Programmes, Black Parents Association, Black Women’s Federation, Border Youth Organisation, Eastern Province Youth Organisation, Medupe Writers Association, Natal Youth Organisation, National Youth Organisation, SASM, Soweto Students Representative Council, Soweto Teachers Action Committee, Transvaal Youth Organisation, Union of Black Journalists, Western Cape Youth Organisation, Zimele Trust Fund, Association for the Educational and Cultural Advancement of African People of South Africa.
Banning orders were also served on Beyers Naude and journalist Donald Woods.
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.
Some pictures from the Human Chain held in honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and our commitment to a united South Africa yesterday (18 July 2013) in Cape Town.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Bush Radio‘s illegal broadcast (25 April 1993) which forced the issue of community broadcasting onto the legislative agenda in South Africa and paved the way for the airwaves to be opened and the development of a vibrant community radio sector.
Within days of the broadcast, authorities (police, members of the security branch and post office officials) seized the station’s equipment and arrested two staff members. Following intense local and international lobbying efforts, however, the case was dismissed and Bush Radio was granted a broadcast license on 1 August 1995.
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Bushradio 89.5 FM 