A little bit of inspiration from us to all our supporters and listeners. Thank you for all the support in 2019.
With your support we can make 2020 even better.
Consider making a donation to keep the “Mother of Community Radio in Africa” doing its work in the communities of Cape Town and beyond – visit our GiveGain campaign page.
The National Community Radio Forum issued a press statement after their meeting with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) yesterday.
The meeting was held to discuss the current crises with regards to the planned closure of certain community radio stations by the broadcasting authority.
Again Bush Radio is very concerned about these developments and we believe that a closure of one station is worrying. We call upon all parties involved to look for an amicable solution for the continued survival and growth of the community radio sector.
We also encourage communities, individuals, organisations and businesses to support their community radio stations.
Related:
Community Media demands to be heard
Don’t just like what you hear.
The end of revolutionary radio in South Africa?
Listen to a highly condensed version of the discussion on 23rd October at the Masambe Theatre. Recorded and edited by Nigel Vermaas and aired on Bush Radio’s Sakhisizwe arts edition.
On 23 October the South African Cultural Policy Network held a Public Forum at the Masambe Theatre, Baxter. What should we do with the art of monstrous men? There has been much international debate about the “monstrous men” in art, movies, television, and music in the age of #MeToo movement.
The South African arts industry has its own ‘monstrous men’.
Artist Zwelethu Mthethwa is serving eighteen years in jail for murdering sex worker, Nokupila Kumalo; Mbongeni Ngema faces a number of allegations of sexual harassment. And Welcome Msomi has recently been found guilty of having stolen R8m from the Living Legends fund.
Should we separate the art from the artist?
Should Sarafina and other works by Ngema – and Ngema himself –be banned from our theatres? And what about our Rolling Stones albums, Woody Allen DVDS? Etc etc.
A panel consisting of poet & cultural activist Malika Ndlovu, Stellenbosch university transformation officer Babalwa Gusha and gender activist & academic Amanda Gouws grappled with this complex topic. The forum was facilitated by another Stellenbosch University academic Ncebakazi Mnukwana. Tina Schouw also features in the audio.
Music, all of which is made by so-called monstrous men has been added, including Miles Davis, one of the greatest musicians of the 20th Century and also an abuser of women.
The actual forum lasted about 90 minutes so obviously there was a lot of important stuff that is not included.
Thanks to Mike van Graan and the SA Cultural Policy Network for keeping these conversations going.
The above text is taken from Nigel’s introduction of the recording.
Catch Nigel Vermaas every week with Connected to Jazz (Tuesdays 8pm) and during Sakhisizwe’s arts edition (Fridays from 12pm) via 89.5FM or www.bushradio.co.za
As we at Bush Radio fight to keep the station going financially through our crowdfunding campaign and engagements with government, we are concerned to learn of developments to close up to 43 community radio stations in South Africa.
The National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), of which Bush Radio is a founding member, today issued a press statement highlighting the plans of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to shut down certain stations for various reasons.
Today we commemorate Black Wednesday 42 years ago – October 19, 1977 – when the apartheid government banned several newspapers, organisations and journalists.
Today, ICASA, an institution for which Bush Radio fought hard to be established, wants to shut down more than 40 community radio stations. The effect will be the same as then – limiting media freedom and alternative voices in the broadcast sector.
Bush Radio strongly urges our democratically elected government to intervene in this matter. We ask ICASA to look at a positive resolution to help secure the future of the community radio sector.
READ: Press Release: Shutdown of 43 Community Radio stations by ICASA
See below for the names of the stations affected.
Bush Radio is opening applications for internship positions for those interested in getting into media. No prior formal qualification is required.
The internship will provide basic experience in journalism, radio content production and multimedia.
Please read the requirements below CAREFULLY – should the information be incomplete or incorrect, your application will not be considered.
Are you…
Curious, adventurous, always looking for a story, willing to hunt down a source, hungry to learn, energetic, able to speak, write and read in English & Afrikaans/Xhosa, willing to explore new frontiers in media?
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, generate interview ideas, liaise with guests, assist presenter, research, package and present, liaise with listeners regarding programmes, updating blogs/websites, present as needed / capable, participate in outside broadcasts or events, build your career and profile?
Requirements:
No formal qualifications are required but the candidates must be computer literate and understand, write and read English and one other language (Afrikaans or Xhosa)
You will be required full-time (ie Monday – Friday) or shifts (06h00 – 14h00 and 10h00 –18h00 –including weekend and public holiday shifts depending on the area you are placed.
You must be available to start immediately.
Cape Town based
Not currently a full-time student or learner
You will not receive payment! This is a volunteer internship at Africa’s leading community radio station.
Transport allowance of R500 per month for 3 months (probation), increased to R 1000 thereafter, non-negotiable for 9 months.
Shortlisted candidates will be put through a combination written test (for computer skills, language, general knowledge) and a voice test. – If selected for the test it will happen the week of 23 September 2019
How to submit your application:
Only emailed applications will be considered.
Download and complete the CV Application, attach documentation (certificates etc) and email to intern2019@bushradio.co.za
In the subject line clearly state: Intern intake 2019 (Your Name + Surname)
Application deadline: 19 September 2019 (9am)
Download application (CLICK HERE)
Help Bush Radio keep making internship and training available to the communities of Cape Town – Support our crowdfunding campaign – CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE
Have you received airtime on Bush Radio?
Have you received training at the station?
Have we promoted your song, organisation, issue or start-up?
Please consider making a contribution to the continued running of Africa’s oldest, volunteer driven, not-for-profit community radio station.
Check out: https://www.givengain.com/cc/bushradio/
Spread the word so that we can keep doing what we do by being of service.
For more information visit: www.bushradio.wordpress.com
Or visit www.bushradio.co.za to listen online and find links to our social media pages.
Find out more about the work of Bush Radio and the struggles of community media visit these articles:
Always cutting edge, Bush Radio explores issues in an insightful and meaningful way, giving the people of Cape Town access to media that highlights their voices – through music, entertainment, social upliftment and getting hands-on with media training.
The wide range of programming includes human rights, LGBTIQ+, gender, labour, job opportunities, basic health care, entrepreneurship, and offering information deemed necessary by our communities.
Africa’s oldest community radio station project, it was started in the 1980s by community activists and alternative media producers to explore ways in which grassroots media could be used for social upliftment and as an alternative voice during the apartheid era.
Today Bush Radio ensures it remains relevant, necessary and effects change through carefully curated media projects by working with partners to build dynamic programming. These projects include the Children’s Radio Education Workshop, where children aged between 6 and 18 years going live on-air, and the Media Kidocracy Konference where children aged 12 and up are trained to produce media content.
As an incubator for new media talent, Bush Radio has trained many young people from the Cape Flats and beyond who have now moved on into the media industry and beyond, also helping to build young start-ups and artists.
The community media sector is struggling in South Africa and even though Bush Radio is engaging on various levels, including with the government, to find a solution, we need daily costs such as rent, transmission, communication and stipends for the young people to get on-the-job training covered.
Your contribution will go towards ensuring that young people have a place where they can get access to quality media training and experience and that Cape Town’s communities continue to actively contribute to discussions around the issues affecting them.
Related: Community Media demands to be heard
It is with great shock that we at Bush Radio learnt this evening of the passing of Matthew Buck. Matthew was a volunteer, trainer and eventually Bush Radio’s main technical support and installer for our studios.
Below is an extract from a social media post by Adrian Louw our Programme Integrator:
“It’s Friday evening around 8pm on 28 July 1995, Matt and myself were the last two people in the building. The final touches to Africa’s oldest community radio station project’s first legal on-air studio were being put in place.
Then the worst possible thing happened – a buzz, then a click. The Soundcraft Series5 mixer’s power supply had blown. With just over a week to go for the official broadcast and now legal switch-on, it was a disaster.
Matt called the supplier from his Motorola (he was the first person I knew who owned a cellphone) and after a few hours of intense cursing and fancy soldering, he had the power supply fixed.
Fast forward to 2008, and I was on one of my training missions in a town called Karas in Namibia, and Matt and his team were building the studios. Again, final testing for the handover to the crew there and then something on the telephone hybrid blew.
Ever since, Matt and I agreed that I would not be there when they did any final handovers. And so, when Bush Radio moved on to a digital studio in 2012, I took a day’s leave at the end of the install and handover… Matt and his team were responsible for the installation of most of the studios from the initial licensing of Community Radio in South Africa.
And, with so many who continue to exploit the sector, he was one of the few people we could rely on at Bush Radio.
Matthew (as I always insisted on calling him), I will miss you.
His final message to me was “Tell Adrian not to worry.”
To Levi, his family and friends: there would be no community radio sector in South Africa if it wasn’t for people like Matthew.
Matthew chose to walk with the people of South Africa and this continent.
We need more like him. “
Are you a new business looking to build your brand or increase your reach in Cape Town and beyond? We have an exclusive offer to first-time advertisers with us.
Winter Package 1
20 x 30 second ads
1 x 5 minute interview
Cost: R1500
Winter Package 2
30 x 30 second ads
1 x 5 minute interview
Cost: R2000
* Offer is valid to first-time advertisers from the 25 June to 1 September 2019.
* 100% deposit must be paid upfront to secure the booking.
* Advertising and interview must be completed by the 30 September 2019.
* Social media campaigns available.
Contact Gabebah or Kholeka on 0214485450 or sales@bushradio.co.za
Check out our 2019 Rate Card and demographics
Africa Day on the 25th May is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union in 1963.
Join us as we celebrate all that makes us African. As Africa’s oldest community radio station project, this day has a special significance to us.
Watch the “I am an African” video clip.
The video above features an amended extract from the, “I am an African” speech by Thabo Mbeki at the adoption of the RSA Constitution Bill, 8 May 1996.
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