What happened to Southside FM?

SUNRISE FM, a new radio station in Chatsworth, went on air on April 30. Many of the presenters are no strangers to the radio broadcasting industry.

I can also recall there was great excitement about 10 years ago when Southside FM was to be launched, but sadly nothing has since materialised.

What has become of Southside FM? Of late, we were advised that the station was granted an FM frequency but it is still not broadcasting. It is sad as the station would have unified the South Indian community – by propagating South Indian languages and ensuring that our true place and identity is firmly entrenched in the country.

My suggestion to the board of Southside FM: perhaps it’s time that you resign en bloc, for it seems that you are failing the South Indian people.

Perhaps make way for younger people who may have the drive and enthusiasm to ensure the station starts broadcasting.

If no answers or progress is shown within the next two weeks, then organisations like the Natal Tamil Vedic

Society Trust and the Merebank Tamil School Society (MTSS) should take over the Southside station so it can become a reality.

Knowing the professionalism of the members of MTSS, they will make it a success.

If this matter is not dealt with urgently, then the Tamil community will lose the battle to preserve and propagate its language and identity.

DHAYALAN MOODLEY

Mobeni Heights