At Bush Radio we deal with very serious issues everyday and an important part of what we do is also individual development (you need to be learning something to be part of Bush). So every Wednesday at the station we host a Staff Development session – normally we gather around “The Big Table” to discuss, debate, watch and learn.
Sometimes we have a chance to get out of the office for some fun. This time Rush hosted us for a fun session, where we could blow off some steam.
A new radio production – COMMUNITY FARMER’S RADIO SHOW – is in development. This radio show is designed to encourage, motivate, support the growth of self-sustainable urban communities. This production will primarily focus on all aspects of community farming and will include conversations on the research and development of sustainable alternative energy sources.
COMMUNITY FARMERS RADIO SHOW will join two recently launched radio productions.
The SPEAK UP TALK SHOW is a current affairs production as a platform for ‘ordinary’ people to engage on pertinent social issues like Gender Based Violence (GBV), Racism, Poverty, Homelessness, Human Rights etc. – not to apportion blame but to engage in experiences of behavioural change. The SpeakUp on Bush facilitates uncomfortable conversations that takes centre stage in driving the need for behavioural change and healing in society
RUNNING TRACK is a magazine show that’s all about running – road, trail, cross country, track & field, leisure, for fun, wellness including walking as a sport and leisure. and much more – exclusively dedicated to news and interest w.r.t all forms of running and walking.
All productions are developed and produced by people with relatively no broadcasting experience under the guidance of Bush Radio. Speak Up have done three productions to date and Running Track, one. Volunteers of both production crews responded to an Expression of Interest invitation published on FB
The productions are three-hour live shows broadcasted across the the Bush Radio 89.FM footprint in the Western Cape and globally via live audio-streaming,FB Live, other media networks including a Podcast postal.
All productions are individually broadcasted live on a selected Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 10pm. The first broadcast of COMMUNITY FARMER’S RADIO SHOW is provisionally scheduled for Wednesday 19 May.
Express your interest to join the COMMUNITY FARMER’S RADIO SHOW production crew or any other production as a presenter, content developer, social media integrator, audio engineering and studio production, by emailing your details to trevord0606@gmail.com with a short bio/expression of interests as to why you volunteering. All production and training sessions are online.
The only physical meet is on the evening of a broadcast live show. All COVID Safety protocols are applicable.
Experience is NOT a requirement. Passion and the willingness to be an agent for social change, is essential and a requirement. Radio production is fun!
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!
Besides being part of the organizing committee, we also had several interviews leading up to the day and spent the day at Community House broadcasting and engaging in the discussions and activities
It has been a hectic couple of months at Bush Radio as we provided debates with all the political parties, encouraging listeners to vote, covering the voting stations and the results as they became available.
We would like to thank all the people involved in making sure we kept everyone up to speed on making their mark.
A special thank you to our listeners, volunteers, supporters and the Western Cape IEC team headed by Courtney Sampson and their media office, Trevor Davids and Olivia Nagan.
Bush Radio will continue our work to promote building democracy and expand on its “Democracy is not a spectator sport” philosophy.
13 February is World Radio Day. A day we celebrate the power of radio in our lives. This year UNESCO’s theme for the day is “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”.
We thought it appropriate that we ask our listeners, supporters, trainees and everyone who has used the medium to send us whatsapp video clips (because community radio moves with the times).
We received clips from listeners, Alternative Radio, BBC, activists, media professionals, editors and artists. The range of the responses we received clearly shows that Bush Radio lives up to this year’s theme of “Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace”. More than just being one of the most sort after training radio stations, it truly is building bridges between the various communities we serve.
It is the final week of August, our birthday and pledge month and we would like to say thanks to those who have pledged and donated to support the work of Bush Radio of Africa’s oldest community radio station project.
There is still time to donate and help us to continue.
Our bank details are as follows:
Standard Bank: Bush Radio Training
Account Account number: 071194185
Branch: Mowbray
Branch code: 004909
If you would like a receipt for your donation, email the proof of payment to: donate@bushradio.co.za
For more information contact Bush Radio on 021-448 5450.
A few weeks ago, Bush Radio Managing Director Brenda Leonard and Programme Integrator Adrian Louw were nominated for the esteemed Nat Nakasa Award – and it’s just been announced that they made the 2018 shortlist!
The award is named after South African journalist Nat Nakasa, and is given to individuals who show exceptional integrity and courage in their work.
Nakasa embodied fearless journalism at a time – the 1960s – when media was anything but free. During a period when black voices were rarely printed or heard in the news, Nakasa was one of the most important and influential anti-apartheid reporters.
SANEF says that those who are nominated must have “shown integrity and reported fearlessly and tenaciously striven to maintain a publication or other medium despite insurmountable obstacles”, as well as resisted censorship and displayed commitment to serving the South African people. She began working at Bush Radio in 1993 and says that the biggest accomplishment of her career is ensuring that Bush Radio is on air and legal at all times.
Nat Nakasa was often called a brave journalist, and Leonard says South Africa still needs people like this, even in the post-apartheid era, because journalists can expose corruption and educate.
“Even when there were threats to our sustainability, Bush Radio is important historically and currently influential,” Leonard said.
She said that Bush Radio has shaped the establishment and legislation of the Media Development Diversity Agency, which was created by an Act of Parliament to help disadvantaged communities who lack access to media.
Louw says, while Brenda Leonard keeps the organization running, he is responsible for programming, staffing, and mentoring.
He says his favorite part of the job is creating a safe space for young people to develop and become courageous journalists.
“The experience people have here changes lives and that’s the joy of being a part of an organization like Bush Radio,” Louw said.
He said that through his career, he has witnessed Bush Radio at the forefront of developing and defending the community sector of radio in the country. He said he considers Bush Radio one of the last “truly independent voices for the community”.
“I think we create hope in people about what’s possible,” Louw said. “We only rise when the lowest of us rise, and Bush Radio has and always will rise with the people we serve in the community. This is my small contribution to making South Africa better.”
The winner of the Nat Nakasa Award will be announced on Saturday, June 23 at Randlords in Braamfontein, Johannesburg*.
* Brenda and Adrian have asked a former Bush Radio staff member (now based in Johannesburg) to represent the station at the awards dinner.
Due to requests from children, parents and teachers we have extended the deadline for CREW applications to the 1st May 2017, so that the necessary documentation that must accompany the application can be submitted.
Bush Radio is recruiting children and youth aged 6 – 18 years (or grade 1 – 11) to be trained as volunteer presenters and producers for our media project; Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW). CREW has been running since 1996 and celebrates it’s 21st Anniversary in 2017.
As part of this project, children are taught to research, produce and present their own radio programmes.
The programme is divided into three age groups and is on air every Saturday from 09h00 – 12h00.
We are using the following as criteria for selection and participation:
Age (must be between 6 – 18 years old or Grade 1-11)
Gender (balance between male and female)
Language capabilities (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa speakers)
Geographical area they live in (Greater Cape Town + Cape Flats)
The willingness and ability to participate weekly as well cover their own transport costs to and from Bush Radio
Adherence to CREW code of conduct
Participants must provide their own packed lunch
Weekly attendance is compulsory from 08h00 – 12h00
Parent/Guardian participation in activities
Selected participants must be available for a training session (date to be decided)
Download application form (includes indemnity form in case selected) and email to crew@bushradio.co.za / fax to 021 448 5451
Bush Radio is recruiting children and youth aged 6 – 18 years (or grade 1 – 11) to be trained as volunteer presenters and producers for our media project; Children’s Radio Education Workshop (CREW). CREW has been running since 1996 and celebrates it’s 21st Anniversary in 2017.
As part of this project, children are taught to research, produce and present their own radio programmes.
The programme is divided into three age groups and is on air every Saturday from 09h00 – 12h00.
We are using the following as criteria for selection and participation:
Age (must be between 6 – 18 years old or Grade 1-11)
Gender (balance between male and female)
Language capabilities (English, Afrikaans and Xhosa speakers)
Geographical area they live in (Greater Cape Town + Cape Flats)
The willingness and ability to participate weekly as well cover their own transport costs to and from Bush Radio
Adherence to CREW code of conduct
Participants must provide their own packed lunch
Weekly attendance is compulsory from 08h00 – 12h00
Parent/Guardian participation in activities
Selected participants must be available for a training session on Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Download application form (includes indemnity form in case selected) and email to crew@bushradio.co.za / fax to 021 448 5451
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Bushradio 89.5 FM 