Bush Radio was excited to participate this year again in the Mitchells Plain Advice Office Career Expo.
It was held at the Westridge Civic Centre this year and was an amazing success, with Bush Radio broadcasting live from the event – we spoke to exhibitors, teachers, parents, education institutions, SETAS and most importantly the learners.
In the lead up to World Press Freedom Day, Bush Radio is honoured to have journalist, Andrea Böhm spend time at the station and engage with our trainees. Andrea is in South Africa for the German weekly “Die Zeit” covering the 2024 Elections
Andrea has a wealth of experience starting her career as a reporter for the metropolitan desk of “Die Tageszeitung”, a left daily newspaper out of Berlin, in 1989 – a few months before the Berlin wall fell
From 1992 until 1997 she covered US-politics as the paper’s correspondent in Washington.
Upon her return to Germany she started working for the “Dossier”-desk of the German weekly “Die Zeit” researching and writing investigative and in-depth stories.
From 2000 until 2006 she worked out of New York City as a free-lance reporter for several magazines covering developments in the US as well as Russia and several African countries like the DR Congo, Somalia and Kenya.
In 2013 she took over as head of the “Zeit”-middle east office in Beirut. She covered developments and conflicts in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Gaza.
Since 2019 she is back in Berlin as a reporter for international affairs focusing on African countries.
Böhm has authored several books – among them one on the DR Congo and one on the search for a non-western perspective on global history.
She currently works on a new project about women worldwide, who use physical violence (be it for power, self-defense, or entertainment)
International Workers’ Day, is generally celebrated on the 1st of May and is an official public holiday in South Africa celebrated as Worker’s Day.
It is a time to celebrate the achievements of workers and acknowledge their rights.
Here are some basic workers’ rights that are celebrated and advocated for:
These are just some of the key rights that workers around the world continue to fight for and celebrate on International Workers’ Day.
“30 years of Freedom“ in South Africa refers to the period since the end of apartheid and the advent of democracy after our first democratic election of 27 April 1994. It marks the time since all South Africans, regardless of race, were granted equal political rights and opportunities.
Before 1994, South Africa was governed by a system of apartheid, characterised by institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. The majority of people of colour were systematically oppressed, denied political representation, and subjected to various forms of injustice and inequality.
The end of apartheid came with the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, followed by negotiations that led to the first democratic elections in 1994, in which all citizens could vote regardless of race. Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first black president, and the country embarked on a journey towards reconciliation, democracy, and equality.
“30 years of Freedom” symbolises the progress made since then in terms of dismantling institutional racism, fostering inclusivity, and building a more just society. It acknowledges the achievements and challenges, including efforts to address continued socioeconomic inequality, promote reconciliation, and strengthen our democracy.
What does freedom mean to you?
Bush Radio 89.5 FM is inviting interested individuals or organisations to submit programme application proposals to develop volunteer radio programmes under any of the following broad subject areas:
Programme proposals should have a specific aim, a defined target audience and be focused on specific issues/themes under the subject area.
No previous broadcasting experience is required to submit a proposal, Bush Radio will provide the necessary training and support should your proposal be selected for development.
What are we looking for in your proposal?
How to apply?
Download the Bush Radio Programme Application Form and additional CV documents if needed
Attend an optional virtual info session on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 from 18h00 – 19h00 (Virtual Info Session on Programme Applications Process link)
Completed application must be sent via email to prapp2024@bushradio.co.za – only emailed applications will be accepted.
The deadline for submission of proposals: Sunday, 17 March 2024
Only proposals accepted for potential development will be contacted for more information, screening etc or follow-up.
Bush Radio’s decision on the selection is final for this round, but you can re-apply during the next round.
World Radio Day is celebrated on 13 February.
Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating
World Radio Day’s theme in 2024 shines a broad floodlight on Radio’s remarkable past, relevant present and promise of a dynamic future.
The 2024 observance highlights:
source: UNESCO
Watch are some of the visuals captured by the BushRadio team at the State of the Nation address
Programme Alert: For more analysis, commentary and reaction tune into a special edition of “The Rundown” on #BushRadio 89.5FM – Saturday, 10 February 2024 at 11am.
The 2024 State of the Nation Address is scheduled to be delivered by to a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday 8th of February 2024.
We asked listeners what they would tell the president he needs to address.
You can catch full coverage of the activities organised by civil society groups and NGOs leading up the address on Bush Radio 89.5FM or online, as well as the speech itself and then reactions to the speech in our coverage the next morning, on 89.5FM or online.
The following was originally published by BushRadioNews
Pre-1994 South Africans had no free, independent and licensed community radio stations.
A small group in Cape Town, South Africa, pioneered the concept of community radio, be yourself radio, radio that represents the diverse, divided communities of Cape Town.
A radio station that speaks with, to, for and by the people of Cape Town.
From being the first community radio station project on the continent, affectionately known as “the mother of community radio in Africa”, Bush Radio has always had at its core the training and development of new media talent but also fighting for and securing media freedom for all.
With its dynamic programming run entirely by a team of dedicated volunteers, it deals with a wide range of issues ranging from health through to social development, but also features developing artists, which means you could hear the latest in township gqom through to Mongolian throat singing, interspersed with indigenous Khoe instruments.
Bush Radio as an organisation is truly a microcosm of the potential of the people of South Africa and Cape Town, in particular.
A radio station which serves no political or religious masters, but rather the people. A station that doesn’t strive to be popular but rather necessary in the lives of the communities it serves. The very same people who form part and are represented by the station.
Therein lies the challenge for the station… it is not easily sold, marketed, or promoted – it does not fit neatly in a box that can be packaged, wrapped and shipped off like just another commodity.
Bush Radio represents an ideal, it represents hope, it encourages the building of pride in the people of Cape Town. It encourages them, through its programming, projects and training, to be part of building a better Cape Town, a better South Africa, a better world.
But the past 30 years have not been easy, community radio has had to fight for its existence, forced to compete with large commercial radio stations, as well as the national public broadcaster, for an ever-decreasing advertising share. A few months ago, another blow when a major advertising agency in the community radio sector announced it is being liquidated while owing several community radio stations hundreds of thousands of rands. It really is a situation of “how long can the centre hold”?
And in particular, Bush Radio is struggling with paying exorbitant rent to its landlord, ever-increasing fees to Sentech for signal distribution fees, and SAMRO fees for its extensive promotion of local music (yes, even though community radio plays up to 80% local, we pay every song we play).
So the question is Quo Vadis?
There are many challenges in the community radio sector which bodies that Bush Radio helped to establish, like the National Association of Broadcasters (NABSA) and the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF), are tackling on a national level.
But, as ever, Bush Radio remains in service to the people, and battles daily to build democracy through active citizenship, social upliftment and be an independent voice and amplifier of the voice of the people.
As we celebrate 30 years of democracy and head into a national election year, it is important that community radio stations like Bush Radio are supported so that we can continue building the nation.
Visit www.bushradio.co.za
About the contributor:
Adrian Louw is the Programme Integrator for Bush Radio. Louw has been involved with the station on various levels since 1994, a graduate of Peninsula Technikon Journalism (now CPUT) and is a media trainer and media ethics fellow of the Salzburg Seminar.
Read: 7 practical ways to assist Bush Radio
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