Southside FM waits for frequency
FIVE years have passed and the board members of Southside FM are still trying to secure a frequency in Durban.
According to the secretary of Southside FM, Subry Govender, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will update them on their application for a frequency tomorrow (Thursday).
“We have been negotiating and struggling for a frequency for the past five years and our target audience members are becoming increasingly frustrated and impatient. We have received the support of top government ministers, including the former ministers of communication, the late Roy Padayachie, and Yunus Carrim.
“While he was minister, Mr Carrim gave us an assurance that all our frequency problems would be resolved by the end of July 2014. We are therefore waiting to see what will transpire.”
Govender said they secured a premises to operate from at the Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Cultural Centre.
“But we have not recruited anyone or invested in anything yet because we are not sure if we will be granted a frequency.”
He said the station would promote South Indian languages and cultures and would be a progressive voice in South Africa.
“In terms of our new non-racial and democratic constitution, the cultures and languages of our dynamic and diverse communities should be promoted without any hindrance. We believe we have waited for far too long to get off the ground.”
He added: “We want to ensure that the people of Indian origin in South Africa become fully involved in the social and political life of South Africa. This is our country and we want to play a full role.”
The spokesman for ICASA, Paseka Maleka, was still awaiting information from his office regarding the July 31 deadline and therefore could not comment on what would happen this week. MEANWHILE, community-based station Radio Al Ansaar has been granted a licence to broadcast in Pietermaritzburg on the frequency 105.6FM.
The director of Al Ansaar, Irfaan Bux, said: “We are now waiting for word from signal distributor Sentech on the final specifications for the studio. We are hoping to be up and running in a few months.”
He said the Durban studio would remain its headquarters and special broadcasts would be done in The City of Choice (Pietermaritzburg).
Al Ansaar will then start community initiatives similar to those in Durban.
The station has a listenership of about 250 000 in Durban and a potential listenership of 500 000 in Pietermaritzburg.
Budding presenters and administration staff seeking an opportunity to work at Al Ansaar Radio in PMB can call 031 208 1601.