25 Years and Beyond

At 2pm on the 9 August, 2020, Bush Radio marks the 25th anniversary of broadcasting with a license from the broadcast authority.

Read: Bush Radio, Africa’s oldest community radio station project

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!

READ: Radio, community and identity in #SouthAfrica: A rhizomatic study of Bush Radio in Cape Town – By Dr Tanja Bosch

During the pandemic, we can be together via 89.5FM and stream on http://www.bushradio.co.za

The Struggle to launch community radio – Partial Eclipse

Thank you for your support, and keep safe.

SUPPORT OUR WORK

Basic protective measures against the Novel #Coronavirus – click here

Official websites for accurate information regarding COVID19:

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

Regulations and Guidelines – Coronavirus Covid-19

World Health Organisation

Western Cape Government Health Department

Media coverage of our appeal…so far

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:

BizCommunity

Bushradionews

The Media Online

The Arts Mag

Mail and Guardian Online

The New Age

Help keep us on air

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.

From campaigning against the apartheid government for a free and independent broadcasting authority, to being present on Cape Town’s Grand Parade when Nelson Mandela addressed the nation as a free man, Bush Radio has played an indelible part in the shaping of the history of the new South Africa.

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

For more information, contact Brenda Leonard or Sharon Salies or Adrian Louw on  +27 21 – 448 5450.

Related:

* Bush Radio urgently needs financial support

* Watch the Richard Wicksteed documentary: Partial Eclipse – The Struggle to launch Community Radio

* Download our request letter