Disrupting the media and saluting our roots

Almost 30 years after Bush Radio went on air to defy the apartheid government’s control of the airwaves, staff, volunteers and interns had the opportunity to host one of the first volunteers at the community radio station, Mervyn Swartz.

A representative of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in the 1990s, Swartz can be seen in the Bush Radio Partial Eclipse documentary, and trained with “networkers” (the former term for Bush Radio volunteers) and partner organisations to establish community radio in South Africa and help free the airwaves from the apartheid government’s control. Originally an engineer, Swartz went on to serve as the director for Cosatu’s Campaign for Democratic Communications (CDC) in Johannesburg.

He was interviewed for a new documentary on the impact of community media, and Bush Radio grabbed the opportunity for new interns to meet him, and hear about his experiences in the early 1990s.

Bush Radio is constantly welcoming fledgling media disruptors and active citizens to the station, and listening to how the station was repeatedly denied a broadcast license by the repressive state, but still went on to broadcast without one, showed how important history is to the present day.

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President announces 21-day lockdown for #COVID19

23 March 2020

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced further measures from his initial statement on the 15th March 2020.

The National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March.

The nation-wide lockdown will be enacted in terms of the Disaster Management Act:

• From midnight on Thursday 26 March until midnight on Thursday 16 April, all South Africans will have to stay at home.
• The categories of people who will be exempted from this lockdown are the following: health workers in the public and private sectors, emergency personnel, those in security services – such as the police, traffic officers, military medical personnel, soldiers – and other persons necessary for our response to the pandemic.
• Individuals will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.
• All shops and businesses will be closed, except for pharmacies, laboratories, banks, essential financial and payment services, including the JSE, supermarkets, petrol stations and health care providers.

Important: Read the full statement here

We ask all our listeners to take note of the lockdown announcement. Bush Radio will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments and bring you some relief during these trying times.

Remember you can tune in via 89.5FM and online via www.bushradio.co.za

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Basic protective measures against the Novel #Coronavirus – click here

Official websites for accurate information:

World Health Organisation

Western Cape Government Health Department

South Africa Government Novel Coronavirus

Positions available: Newsroom Trainee (x3)

*** This is not a call for DJs, music show presenters or newsreaders***

Bush Radio 89.5 FM is looking for volunteer recruits (Interns) for its newsroom.

You do not need a formal qualification to apply but SHOULD fulfil the criteria listed in the advertisement below (Please read carefully).

Are you:

Curious, adventurous, always looking for a story, willing to hunt down a source, energetic.

Able to speak, write and read in English & Afrikaans/Xhosa, willing to explore new frontiers in media? From the Cape Flats? Willing to learn and work hard?

Would you like to.

Record sound, conduct interviews, compile bulletins, read bulletins, take pictures, record video, cover events, test your skills LIVE to a listening and online audience of over 375 000 people, build your career and profile?

If your answer to the above is yes, then a volunteer news trainee position in the Bush Radio newsroom is for you.

You will be required full-time and to work shifts (06h00 – 14h00 and 10h00-18h00 -including weekend and public holiday shifts.)

You will not receive payment! This is a volunteer internship at Africa’s leading community radio station. Transport allowance of R 1000 only – non negotiable

This is a full-time contract position (1 year contract after 6 months’ probation) – NB: Fulltime students SHOULD NOT apply.

Cape Town-based position

Application deadline: 20 November 2016

Only email applications will be accepted.

Send your application with the subject line: Newsroom trainee 2016 to newsroom2@bushradio.co.za

Application must include:

1. Detailed CV
2. Motivation letter which answers the following two questions: (a) Why you should be considered for this internship?  (b) How news affects your daily life.
3. Contactable references x 3

Shortlisted candidates will be put through a combination written test (for computer skills, language, general knowledge) and a voice test.

Bush Radio reserves the right not to make an appointment – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted – No correspondence will be entered into

*** This is not a call for DJs, music show presenters or newsreaders***

Position available: Administrative Assistant

Bush Radio 89.5FM has a vacancy for an Administrative Assistant (see full criteria + job description below).

Application must include a detailed CV, with a minimum of 3 contactable references.

Application deadline: 20 January 2016 @ 5pm

Applications can be emailed to admin@bushradio.co.za and should state:

Administrative Assistant Application 2016 in the subject line.

Please note:

• Cape Town based (NO relocation costs paid)
• No telephonic enquiries will be accepted.
• Candidates must be available to start immediately.
• Only email applications accepted
• Applicants must have a good credit record
• Applicants not contacted within two weeks after the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.

Bush Radio reserves the right not to make an appointment.

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Position: Administrative Assistant

Salary range: R60,000 – R84,000 per year depending on experience.
Cape Town based

Skills required:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills .
• Strong administrative and financial skills
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel and internet / email)
• Excellent reading and writing skills in English and Afrikaans or Xhosa.

Experience required:

• Experience in administration and finance work environment.
• Extensive experience with SARS e-filing and Eazy File

Personality attributes:

• Able to work under pressure, adhere to deadlines, work within a team, honest

Key Performance Areas:

Administration:

• Stationery purchase and distribution
• Do filing and updating of files
• Maintain asset register
• Report writing

Finances:

• Petty cash
• Draft financial reports for the Managing Director
• Bank reconciliation
• Record keeping
• Account payments and debt collections
• Prepare and monitor budgets
• Do all statutory returns, such as VAT, PAYE, SDL, and UIF

Personnel:

• Keep and update all personnel records
• Do work-schedules and make sure staff is on duty
• Deal with all statutory requirements

 

Going digital

After a few months of construction, tweaking (and some twerking) and training we officially launch the Bush Radio Digital Broadcast studio today 1 May 2015 in honour of all the workers who have sacrificed for our democracy and helped to open the airwaves in South Africa.

The studio was constructed by the team from Buck Broadcast and funded through a grant from the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA).

The new digital studio will help Bush Radio to continue to be the leading incubator of young radio talent on the continent while providing listeners with the best quality sound possible.