NCRF gets community radio stations in motion in Northern Cape 

With the radio buzz set to kick in soon, seven community radio stations in Northern Cape gathered together in Kuruman to hone their craft.

The workshop started on Monday, 28th February till Friday, 4th March 2022 and was attended by Station Managers, Program Managers and News editors of Upington based Riverside FM, Kimberly based Radio Teemaneng and Revival FM, De Aar Based Ulwazi FM, Kuruman based Kurara FM, Calvinia based Kaboesna FM, and Springbok based Radio Namakwa. 

The project is sponsored by NCRF: Northern Cape, and Thabang Pusoyabone, NCRF secretary-general, said this is one of the projects they support.  

“We do sponsor our provinces, and we understand times havebeen tough with covid-19 and community radio sector like any other suffered.”

Pusoyabone went further to explain how NCRF has helped radio stations.  

“When Alex FM was looted last year, we reached out and donated. We also donated to R100 000 to 6 other stations in need and the 7th station got R50 000. The donations were used for infrastructure development at stations.” 

The workshop focused on news, programming, current affairs and music, and the facilitator was Catherine Dlodlo, OFM’s News Manager.

The latter has a wealth of experience dating back to 25 years.  

Speaking on the sideline was Rise Giko, Namakwa FM Programme Manager. 

“The NCRF training was an informative, educational and well-prepared workshop bythe facilitators.  I learned the importanceof accuracy and fairness. The training unified the Northern Cape community radio stations, and brand new relationships were created to share information and skills. 

In conclusion, Giko said they were reminded of the role of community media, “We were reminded of ourrole as community media. All there is to do now is to ensure that we deliverquality service to our listeners and generate revenue to create jobsfor our young people interested in Media.  

We are indeed excitedabout what is lying ahead in the community media sector and with the knowledge thatwe have acquired. We will continue to be the voice of the voiceless.

Forwardwith community media.” 

South Africa has over 200 community radio stations and MediaDevelopment and Diversity Agency under its CEO Zukiswa Potye continues to assist radio stations with training and resources.

MDDA provides start-up funding and studio equipment. Speaking to Sebe Nkambule on Power FM in celebration of World Radio Day, Potye said if a district in South Africa does not have acommunity media, MDDA will assist that community in setting it up.

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