Madhav Prakash broadcasting from Tafelsig on the Cape Flats
Introducing a brand new show for the youth, by the youth, about sex, money, muscles and everything else that matters.
In the vast expanse of Cape Town’s townships, where hope and despair dance on a razor’s edge, a generation finds itself teetering precariously on the threshold of adulthood. Behind the vibrant façade of the Mother City lies a somber reality, particularly on the Cape Flats. Here, the youth face a web of challenges that threaten to entrap them before they even have a chance to spread their wings. Single parenting, gang violence, poverty, and a scarcity of opportunities converge, casting an ominous shadow over the dreams and aspirations of Cape Town’s future. It is a treacherous landscape where the road to maturity is paved with hardship, making the transition from vulnerable adolescent to empowered adult a feat as daunting as any they may encounter.
In investigating the needs of Capetonian youth, our programming intern, Madhav, identified a unique opportunity to engage with Bush’s younger audiences. Drawing from his own experiences maturing in a single-parent household in India and navigating finances, health, sex, relationships, and family on his own, Madhav conceived The Grow Up Plan. In each of its 55-minute episodes Madhav learns about classic coming-of-age struggles and insights buttressing a different aspect of adulthood. He describes the show as one on adulting — the art of being a grown-up.
Designed with the belief that young people are most willing to pay attention to other young people, most of Madhav’s expert guests are young entrepreneurs, teenage founders of NPOs, activists, and friends. Ending every show with an exciting ‘Ask an Auntie’ segment, where the perspective of an older and wiser citizen of the world dots the Is and crosses the Ts, makes for a show that is well-rounded, young, and wise. The 55 minutes is equal parts banter, learning, and relevantly named pop music, and the first 4 episodes are available for listening on Madhav’s YouTube channel, linked to this article.
Join Madhav as he learns about all things sex from people who look like they’ve actually been in love before. Thaina Theodoro, Founder of Sem Medo, an NPO that partners with schools to further sex education teaches us the basics of safe and pleasurable sex. Kurt Godinez, all the way from the Philippines, speaks of his own experiences with loving. Dr Priya Puri, clinical psychologist, discusses the primary concerns that young people today have in their relationships and about sex. Sex therapist and India’s Aunty Gunjan Sharma answers all the questions that you were too afraid to ask your mothers.
About Madhav: Madhav Prakash is a 19-year-old student from New Delhi, India. An incoming freshman at Stanford University in the USA, Madhav has been a part of the programming team at Bush Radio since March. At Bush, he produces for and co-presents SakhiSizwe, weekdays from 12:00 till 14:00, hosts The Grow Up Plan, Saturdays at 15:00, and is working on a number of side projects with the goal of revitalising the community media space in Cape Town. You can find him on Instagram, or through his webpage at madhavprakash.com.
People’s names are important, and getting it correct is especially important to us. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. New intern Madhav Prakash takes us through pronouncing theirs. #hindi#aroundtheoffice#BushRadio
It seems that everyone is counting down the days to “Black Friday” sales.
According to the Reserve Bank, consumer debt currently stands at R1.7-trillion, with a study by the World Bank revealing that about 25 million South African adults owe money.
We would like to ask our listeners to avoid getting caught by sales gimmicks and false discounts. Remember to plan for the necessities for the months ahead like your rent, bond, food and transport.
If it is on sale and you buy it on credit, remember that interest and fees will push up the price. Therefore, cash is king for sale items.
Don’t spend what you don’t have this means do not live beyond your means and don’t buy if you haven’t budgeted;
Set a realistic budget of what you can afford to spend at the beginning of your Black Friday/Christmas shopping and stick to it;
Don’t shop in a hurry, without a plan and place everything on your credit/ store card;
Plan carefully and pay particular attention to your budget, especially bearing in mind the additional expenses that come with the new year;
Have a shopping list to avoid buying unnecessary items if you don’t need it now, chances are you may never need it. So a void wasting your time and hard earned money
If you want to begin the New Year in a financially sound position, be aware of how you spend your money during this period and save for the New Year;
Do a budget for the festive season which includes all debt, rent, electricity, water, insurance, transport, gifts, school uniform, stationery, entertainment etc;
Don’t blow your bonus on treats. Spend Wisely and rather pay off your debts;
Shop around for specials and compare prizes; Spend wisely tomorrow and during the festive season and enjoy a financially relaxed and peaceful new year.
Remember that if you choose to ignore your budget and break the bank on Black Friday or max out your credit cards for festive shopping you may be headed for a bleak 2019.
As we celebrate our 21st birthday, we are running a pledge drive during our birthday month – from the 1 – 31 August 2016 – where YOU can make a donation towards our work.
As a non-profit community radio station, we call on former interns, staff, volunteers, board members, NGOs/CBOs, artists, musicians, designers and companies who have benefitted from our broadcast and training services to contribute towards making a difference in the lives of others.
Through such donation, you will contribute to the continued existence of Bush Radio, and also make the opportunity available to others to benefit from Bush Radio’s services.
Our bank details are as follows:
Bank: Standard Bank
Name of account: Bush Radio Training Account
Account number: 07 119 4185
Branch name: Mowbray
Branch code: 051001
Address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, Cape Town, 7700
Swift code (for foreign donations): SBZAZAJJ
If you would like a receipt for your donation, email the proof of payment to donate@bushradio.co.za
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 021 448 5450.
Help keep the Mother of community radio free and on-air by supporting Bush Radio’s pledge drive and investing in your community radio station.
Bush Radio has decided to embark on a radio pledge drive taking place from the 26th September – 3rd October 2011. During this week, we are asking YOU to donate R10 or more towards Bush Radio’s sustainability and continued provision of quality programming and training.
You can deposit it into the Bush Radio bank account, with account details as follows:
Name of account : Bush Radio
Name of bank : Standard Bank
Name of branch : Mowbray
Branch code : 02-4909
Account number : 07 122 0194
Swift code : SBZA ZA JJ(only for international transfers)
Address of bank : 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, 7700
Please email to mother@bushradio.co.za or fax to +27 21 448 5451 the confirmation so that we can keep track of the funds expected and mention you on-air.
We appreciate your assistance in helping Bush Radio to continue providing the quality service and media training that it has in the past.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Sharon on the above email, fax or on phone: +27 448 5450.
Lets work together to sustain our community radio station
A big thank you to the media houses, individuals and organisations who have been working furiously to get word out about Bush Radio’s current financial situation. Everyone at the station appreciates the moral support we are receiving.
Our appeal continues however, any donation or investment through advertising or sponsorship is welcome. We are especially appealling to large corporates to show their support of a Free Independent Media to assist us in growing the station.
If you would like to make a donation here are the details (or see our Request letter):
Name of Account : Bush Radio
Name of bank : Standard Bank
Branch name : Mowbray
Branch code : 02-4909
Account number : 07 122 0194
Swift code (for foreign transfers): SBZA ZA JJ
Address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, South Africa, 7705
Below is a snippet of the media coverage we have been receiving in the past week:
The signage that greets you on arrival at the Bush Radio offices
Dear Friend,
For more than two decades Bush Radio has been at the forefront of broadcasting in South Africa, playing an integral part in the development and advancement of both the industry and individuals in the local broadcasting landscape.
Over the past three years, however, this pioneering radio station and training centre has been hit hard by the current economic climate, recently resulting in Bush Radio having to re-evaluate its operations in order to remain sustainable and influential in this fast-changing and exciting environment.
Tragically, this institution and symbol of media freedom is teetering on the brink of closure unless it can find a substantial amount of cash to cover rent, transmission and other running costs.
Watch a video clip of some of the training done at Bush Radio (click here):
Our landlord has given us until the 31 August to come with a tangible proposal, and we have decided to use this time to try and raise this money. The total cost we are trying to raise is R300,000 = Euro 30,000 = US $ 43,000.
Bush Radio provides a valuable, relevant and much-needed service in the communities of the Western Cape. Our legacy of assisting and being supported by communities all around the Cape is extensively documented, and due to our role as the pioneer of community radio in South Africa, we feel that our work is not yet done.
Bush Radio provides broadcast training to individuals, radio stations and media institutions in Africa, with a special focus in all the countries of Southern Africa. Bush Radio also has partnerships with organisations such as Public Achievement in Northern Island, which focuses on youth development and civic participation.
We hereby request you to assist us in this fundraising venture by making a donation, requesting your friends and colleagues to make a donation, or asking your company to make a donation.
All donations, irrespective of size, are welcome.
Donations can be paid directly into Bush Radio’s bank accounts and the details are:
Name of Account : Bush Radio
Name of bank : Standard Bank
Branch name : Mowbray
Branch code : 02-4909
Account number : 07 122 0194
Swift code (for foreign transfers): SBZA ZA JJ
Address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, South Africa, 7705
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