In line with the Bush Radio philosophy of “Don’t curse the darkness, light a candle”, the station has been hard at work looking for the resources to ensure that we remain on air during load shedding.
In 2018 the station installed a UPS system, but the constant load shedding led to the batteries degrading to such a point that the station would only remain on air for 20 minutes when the power went out at its studio in Salt River.
This past weekend the Bush Radio team guided AB Technical Solution installed and tested an auto-start diesel generator system which will allow us to stay broadcasting during load shedding.
As much as the new system relieves the immediate need for the station to remain broadcasting, it is not the final step. We would like to have a more environmentally and economic solution to power the entire station (the newsroom and administration). To this end we are looking for partners who could assist in taking the station to the next level, perhaps exploring a solar power solution and make sure that the “Mother of Community Radio in Africa” keeps bringing light to the airwaves and online with its dynamic programming and social upliftment projects.
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.
Lockdown is hard. We hope that all our supporters are doing all they can to stay safe. Stay home if you can. Use a mask when getting your grants or essentials.
The Bush Radio team continues to bring you accurate and true information, sharing your hardships as the team navigates getting to the station and keeping your favourite and new programmes going. A dedicated group is bringing you innovative, and exciting programming to help with the lockdown blues.
We also would like your ideas on what we could add to the programme schedule, especially during this time. Many have requested a return to our radio drama series and local artists are featuring even more than usual on our playlist.
As a not-for-profit community radio station we need your support. If you are in the position to assist the station please consider making a donation or direct transfer so that we can continue doing our work.
Our banking details:
Bank: Standard Bank Account Name: Bush Radio Account Number: 07 122 0194 Branch Name: Mowbray Branch Code: 004909 Bank address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, Western Cape, South Africa, 7700 SWIFT address: SBZA ZA JJ
We ask all our listeners to take note of the lockdown extension announcement. Bush Radio will continue to keep you informed of the latest developments and we will continue to bring you some relief through our special programming.
The following is a statement issued on behalf of Bush Radio by Adrian Louw, Programme Integrator.
Dear Bush Radio listeners and supporters,
Due to the lockdown as announced by our government to help curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19) we are forced to go onto automated playout systems from 19h00 tonight.
Most of our volunteers, staff and trainees make use of public transport which will be limited during the lockdown, and we need to keep them safe.
Live programming will start at 7am (Monday to Friday) and weekends will also see some special programming and rebroadcasts of our best programmes.
We have also implemented remote systems which will enable us to keep you informed of developments (24/7) around the lockdown, as well as other news, advice, alerts and public service announcements.
We hope to ease the lockdown blues with some of the best and most interesting radio programming you’ve come to expect from 89.5FM. These will include special collaborations with local artists, music specials, radio features, drama, and international news and talks ranging from Noam Chomsky to Angela Davis.
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.
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.
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.
“In the small meeting room buried deep within Bush Radio’s second-floor offices on Victoria Road in Salt River, central Cape Town, and lying alongside an ancient Zenith Trans-Oceanic analog radio are two maroon leather cases.
These cases are marked with the iconic golden dog and gramophone logo of His Master’s Voice, formerly the Victor Talking Machine Company. These cases contain original recordings of speeches, debates, poetry, and music performed by South African anti-apartheid activists—those deemed so dangerous that they were banned from gathering or speaking publicly by the then-government.”
If you would like to see us continue our work or have been touched by it please show your support through a contribution via our GIVEGAIN campaign or directly into our account:
Bank: Standard Bank Account Name: Bush Radio Account Number: 07 122 0194 Branch Name: Mowbray Branch Code: 004909 Bank address: 37 – 39 Main Road, Mowbray, Western Cape, South Africa, 7700 SWIFT address: SBZA ZA JJ
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Bushradio 89.5 FM 