Ensure we never have another “Black Wednesday” #mediafreedom

The media in South Africa commemorates 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.

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.

*This is an edited version of a blog post which was published 19/10/2018

Related:

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

You can now download the official Bush Radio app on Google Play.

The Road to Economic Recovery – Q+A with Alan Winde

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, will be in studio this Thursday (1 October 2020) to keep us informed on all things COVID19.

Listeners will have the opportunity to engage in a live question and answer with the Premier.

The topic for this Q+A session is: ‘The Road to Economic Recovery’ and starts at 6pm.

You can call in on 0214486266, WhatsApp on 0618621065 or SMS* keyword Covid-19 to 32158 followed by your question, name and area you reside in.

The show is brought to you by The Western Cape Government – stay safe, move forward.

To listen to the programme tune into 89.5FM in Cape Town, or via the “listen now” link on our website or download the BushRadio App.

*SMS costs R1 and free minutes do not apply

Competition: Win a cellphone

UPDATE: 1 September – congratulations to Janine Kensley who was drawn as the lucky winner.

Winner of the lucky draw Janine Kensley with Yuzriq Meyer

August is Bush Radio’s on-air birthday month, and to end off the month we would like to give away a Nokia 2.3 cellphone and MTN sim card.

In order to quality for this lucky draw all you need to do is:

1. Like and follow the Bush Radio Facebook page or follow us on twitter
2. Send your name and surname along with the keyword Bush25 to 32158

Enter often to increase your chances of winning as this is a lucky draw.

SMS lines close Monday, 31 August 2020 at 6pm and the winner will be announced in Everyday People (4pm till 7pm) on Tuesday, 1 September 2020

_{SMS costs R1 and free minutes do not count.}

Read more about Bush Radio #25yearsandbeyond

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

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

How to submit your music

If you would like to submit your music to Bush Radio do the following:

Email the track in MP3 format (DO NOT SEND links)

Technical details for MP3:

• Sample rate – 44.1kHz or 48kHz
• Audio Quality: minimum 192 Kbps  maximum 256 Kbps
• “Tag” the audio files metadata such as the title, artist, album, track number or other information about the file’s contents correctly.

Also include the following in your email:

• Track title:
• Artist/s:
• Composer:
• Publisher:
• Country and City of origin:
• Email:
• telephone:

This information assists us ensuring that we submit the correct details to SAMRO and ICASA.

Please note that submission of a track DOES NOT mean automatic inclusion on the Bush Radio playlist.

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

Let’s get working #JOBSHOP

A reminder that Bush Radio 89.5FM brings you “JOBSHOP“, Monday to Friday after the 10am news.

So if you are in need of work or looking to change your career, tune in and hear what positions are being advertised by companies.

If you are offering any employment and would like to reach a diverse audience contact us and we will assist you in getting the right advertising package. Contact Wayne on 0214483277 or email sales@bushradio.co.za

Live Q + A with Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde (2 July 2020)

Premier Alan Winde will be hosting a live question and answer session on Bush Radio 89.5fm, this Thursday between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday (2 July 2020).

The hour long programme is facilitated by Bush Radio and simulcast across the province on various stations.

How to participate:

• call: 0214486266

• WhatsApp (text only): 0618621065

• SMS: 32158 followed by question, name and area. Each SMS costs R1.00

• Listen to 89.5FM in #CapeTown or #worldwide via www.bushradio.co.za

Basic protective measures against the Novel #Coronavirus – click here

Official websites for accurate information:

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

Regulations and Guidelines – Coronavirus Covid-19

World Health Organisation

Western Cape Government Health Department

“Age considers; youth ventures.” Connected to Jazz – #YouthDay #SowetoUprising

In CONNECTED 2 JAZZ this Tuesday, 16 June, Nigel Vermaas marks the 44th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising by playing virtually non-stop music from South Africans and Americans that directly or indirectly reflects political struggle and civil rights activism right up to this month.

You’ll hear music played, sung or composed by Mongezi Feza, Hugh Masekela, Mavis Staples, Ezra Furman, John Coltrane, Miriam Makeba, Mandla Mlangeni, David Marks, Roger Lucey, Tierney Sutton, Ry Cooder, Darren English, Shabaka and the Ancestors, Tutu Puoane, Abbey Lincoln, Kyle Shepherd and more.

CONNECTED 2 JAZZ

Tuesday 16 June

8pm – 10pm on Bush Radio 89.5fm. 

Live streaming via www.bushradio.co.za

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

Be smart, now is the time to advertise!

If you are running a business, lockdown has been incredibly difficult for you. In order to help your business to survive post lockdown it is important that your potential clients are aware of your products and services.

To help build your brand Bush Radio has announced special advertising packages for small businesses and startups. With a large audience reach and specialist programmes we are ideally suited for your advertising campaigns.

Check out these special discounted packages (CLICK HERE)

To get more information contact Wayne on 0214483277 or email sales@bushradio.co.za

Celebrate #AfricaDay with the Mother of Community Radio in Africa – #BushRadio (Images to download and share)

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.

Below are graphics you can use on social media.

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On your phone click on the image and sa. On a computer right-click and save as

The video clip 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 and was made by our trainees a few years ago.

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

Bush Radio MD Brenda Leonard Makes MDDA Board Interview Shortlist

Bush Radio’s Brenda Leonard

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications has announced that Bush Radio’s Managing Director Brenda Leonard is one of the candidates shortlisted to fill one of four vacancies on the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) Board.

The addition of Leonard to the shortlist is a move in the right direction for the MDDA’s search for Board members, according to Bush Radio Programme Integrator Adrian Louw.

“Leonard’s standing within the community media sector, due to her commitment and level of integrity, as well as the wide range of skills she possesses, will be an asset to the MDDA. She has led Bush Radio through very trying times – and continues to do so – and the skills she’s gathered over 27 years of community radio involvement will provide the MDDA with much-needed direction on a strategic level.”

She spearheads Bush Radio’s drive to ensure more support for the community media sector.

Leonard is the Western Cape’s provincial secretary of the National Community Radio Forum, volunteer bookkeeper at the Mitchells Plain Advice and Development Project, and is on the journalism advisory committee for the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and a founding delegate of the United Nations Global Alliance on Media and Gender.

Related:

Community Media demands to be heard

Ministers indifferent to the plight of the community radio sector

UPDATE: Community Radio Under Attack From Sentech Demands

The end of revolutionary radio in South Africa?

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