Cape Town has lost another jazz legend. Ronnie Green passed away on the 15th April 2018.
Ronnie was a former volunteer presenter on Bush Radio and was a giant in the Cape Town jazz music scene as the host of Ronnie Green’s Jazz Scene which he ran from his home. It was a place where many received an education and appreciation for the music he loved.
Ronnie chatting to Sathima Bea Benjamin at Bush Radio
Mr Green, as he was affectionately called at Bush Radio was born on the 16th March 1939 and was introduced to the station by our former MD, Zane Ibrahim.
Our condolences to all who knew Mr Green, especially his family and friends. Ronnie, you made the world a better place.
Ronnie with Archie Schepp broadcasting from the Cape Town International Jazz Festival
* Bush Radio is publishing the full press statement below issued by concerned community radio station managers in the interests of the community radio sector
13 April 2018
Sentech action gags community radio – A call to protect this valuable resource of community radio which provides media access to marginalised peoples.
More than 6 community radio stations across the country – including Hope FM, Forte FM and Karabo FM – are no longer broadcasting to their communities because their Sentech accounts are in arrears. Dozens of other stations are receiving threatening letters saying they face a “suspension of their services” if they do not pay up immediately.
“We asked to make a payment arrangement with Sentech, but the company’s expectations for a payment plan were unrealistic,” Duncan Sinthumule, Station Manager from Karabo FM in Free State says.
Sentech then declined the payment plan offered by the Karabo FM and wanted the station to pay R116,458.00 “immediately” with monthly payments of R52,152.90 for 18 months until the debt is settled.
”We cannot even afford to pay R15,000.00 per month, how will we be able to stick to their payment plan?” Sinthumule said.
As non-profit entities, community radio stations are expected to raise their own funds through advertising, sponsorship and fundraising.
The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), a SOE created with the mandate to amongst others “promote media development and diversity by providing support primary to community and small commercial media projects” only receives a small budget from the Department of Communications (DOC), and cannot provide support to over 200 community radio stations in South Africa.
Radio stations have called for a meeting with Minister of Communications Ms Nomvula Mokonyane to discuss the matter, with an expected meeting in the week of April 16.
Our demands follow…
We demand:
A moratorium on suspension of services by Sentech, and the switching-on of those stations taken off air
Debt write-off or DOC to release funds for Sentech debt
Restructuring of Sentech pricing for community radio stations
An annual grant to community radio stations
These demands are not unreasonable. As community radio stations, we operate under slow-growing economic climate that makes income via advertising very difficult.
Unlike commercial radio stations, we spend our broadcast hours promoting democracy, nationalism, social cohesion, cultural practices, local indigenous languages and local music. We educate, inform and entertain our communities we serve, and do this – in most instances – without any support from the government.
Taking community radio stations off air is an attack on media pluralism, negating the gains made in the media under the democratic government over the past 22 years. It will take us another 20 years to recover from this damage caused by Sentech.
Bush Radio is giving you and your partner the chance to attend both days of the 2018 Cape Town International Jazz Festival happening at the CTICC on the 23rd and 24th of March.
We are giving away a set of double passes to 2 lucky listeners.
To enter this lucky draw SMS the keyword: JAZZ + your name and surname to 32158. (You will receive a sms confirming your entry)
Each double weekend pass is valued at over R2500.
The SMS line will close at 10am on Friday 23 March and the winners will be announced after 11am during the Morning Cruise. * You will need to collect your tickets by 2pm Friday if you are a winner with positive identification.*
Enter as often as you like to improve your chances.
On Sunday the 25th February 2018 the Bush Radio crew came out in support of Open Streets Main Road. The team headed by Sive Msolo broadcast the Love Booth and Retro Rewind from the pavement. The Shiraaz “Cazzman” Ramjee also pulled through to do his programme as well as braaing some lekker boerewors, while Yuzriq Meyer, moved up and down Victoria Road bringing us the gees from what was happening all along the Main Road.
The next Open Streets is scheduled for Mitchells Plain on the 25th March 2018. Perhaps we can get the rest of the Sunday team out there. Let us know in the comments what you think or if you could support us with an outside broadcast.
Tonight at 8pm on Connected 2 Jazz on Bush Radio 89.5FM we celebrate another centenary: that of innovative trumpeter and bandleader Dizzy Gillespie, who, with Monk, Charlie Parker and a few others, was responsible for introducing bebop into jazz.
Since before 1993, Bush Radio has been producing quality media practioners. It is often said, that it is hard to go to any broadcasting facility in South Africa without running into someone who has come via Bush Radio.
Bush Radio 89.5fm is opening applications for internship positions for those interested in getting into media. No prior formal qualification is required.
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 programme, 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.
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.
In the subject line clearly state: Intern October 2017
Application deadline: 29 October 2017 @ 18h00
Bush Radio reserves the right not to make an appointment – Only shortlisted candidates ill be contacted – No correspondence will be entered into. If you have been contacted within two weeks of the closing date you should consider your application unsuccessful.
Thelonious Sphere Monk was born 100 years ago today. This bebop pioneer, who wrote some of the most memorable compositions in jazz, was a true original – as a person, as a pianist, as a composer.
In CONNECTED 2 JAZZ on Bush Radio 89.5fm tonight (Tuesday, 10 October 2017) at 8pm, Nigel Vermaas will profile this great musician.
As part of Bush Radio’s regular weekly staff development sessions, the team decided to get physical. Zola Sibiya of Zola’s Aerobics Club in Gugulethu came in to shake some things up at the office.
Local songstress Ernestine Deanewill celebrate her homecoming on Wednesday 9 August, with her first full length concert in the Mother City since her return from Europe in 2016. She will feature an all-female band in honour of Women’s Day, playing the chilled, uplifting grooves that she is known for, all overlaid with her distinctive emotive vocals.
After launching her career with legendary hip-hop group Black Noise, Ernestine went on to join the iconic SA band Moodphase5ive. They were the first act signed to the revolutionary ‘90s indie label African Dope, who then signed Felix la Band as their second artist. Moodphase5ive headlined festivals and events around the country, while also supporting international acts such as Jazzanova in Prague, Asian Dub Foundation at Womad, and the Ninja Tunes tour with Amon Tobin in SA.
Fans who loved her music with Moodphase5ive can look forward to some reworked classics from that time, whilst Ernie will also showcase some brand new, never released material, and tracks from her debut solo album, Dub for Mama. Ernie has a deep commitment to working with and showcasing female artists, and the band for this first concert will feature rising young talents Nobuhle Mazinyane on keys and Tiana Marwanqana on electric bass, with stalwart Terryl Bell on drums and Carly Naute on violin.
***We are giving away a double ticket to a lucky Bush Radio listener – to enter the lucky draw all you need to do is sms the keyword HOME + Name and Surname to 32158 by no later than Tuesday (8 August 2017) by 10am. The winner will be announced in the Morning Cruise at 11am.***
As South Africa commemorates women’s month in August, we will give rise to a group of every day women with no previous radio or media experience, to take to the airwaves for the very first time. While the radio station is volunteer run and presenters are not remunerated for their services, the women will be given a platform to give a voice to the voiceless and various communities.
The programme, dubbed Ladies Night, was conceptualized on a WhatsApp group between seven friends and will become a reality on Thursday, 3 August 2017 from 7pm. The programme is developed, produced and presented by women and will cover various topics and issues faced by the women in their everyday lives while still being entertaining. The overarching theme is to connect and inspire like-minded people within the diverse communities of the Bush Radio footprint.
The group comprises of Adielah Jacobs, Megan Cookson, Merle Du Plessis, Jodi Gordon, Michele Pinto, Tracy Van Turha and Renee Bailey. The women all come from different backgrounds and are qualified professionals in their own right. Between them various areas are represented law, education, information technology and project management.
Ladies Night on Bush Radio 89.5FM will air for three hours every Thursday evening between 7pm and 10pm for the month of August. The style of the programme is highly conversational but casual and relatable at the same time. Each of the women come from different backgrounds and each brings a uniqueness to the show with their different characteristics.
According to Bush Radio Managing Director, Brenda Leonard: “As we celebrate 22 years of being on-air legally, we are very excited to have this programme. Ladies Night highlights how Bush Radio takes a holistic approach to creating innovative programming and works in collaboration with listeners and potential listeners to bring relevant content to the airwaves.”
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