Community Radio: The Voice of Tembisa

The Voice of Tembisa or V.O.T as it is affectionately known is a community radio station based at T-Shad in Sangweni section, Tembisa that was established by Reynold Nkwe, together with the community of Tembisa, at 87.6 FM, which targets close to a hundred thousand listeners within the peripheries of Tembisa and surrounding areas, including Alexandra Township.

The station was first inaugurated on the 5th of December, 1997, however due to a lack of funds and sponsorship, the project was then placed into remission and disappeared from the community scenes, nearly two years after its inception.

On the 3rd of December, 2005, V.O.T reopened its doors with the biggest salutation from the community of Tembisa, bringing along a glimmer of hope and a promise that, the future will not repeat the calamities of the past. However, according to the then acting Station Manager Portia Zwane, who also presented a mid-morning show, called REFLECTION, between nine and twelve; the station was still facing major problems due to improper behavior by certain individuals who are reluctant to follow the ethical codes of ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa), which is the governing body to rules and regulations concerning Broadcast Media.

The board members selected to represent the community reflect a false image of the community and are not as instrumental to influencing the content needed to develop the identity of the radio station - consists of forty-five staff members and a board of ten members that were selected from prominent community leaders. The Broad of Representatives is a pendulum that boasts an equal equity of gender with five females and five males in the board. Including the station's Program's Manager, the Marketing Department, News Desk, and the Public Relations Officer. Most of the members are not full-time employed due to a lack of funds in the station and little resources available for the technical side of the production.

The Voice of Tembisa Community Radio to my opinion is still a baby that needs to be nurtured and directed to the adult steps of Regional Radio station like Youth FM (YFM, 99.2), KASI FM (Katlehong) and JOZI FM (Community Radio)). Even though it is a community radio station nothing can restrict the station to follow in the footsteps of these larger radio stations. However due to management squabbles and infighting by Board members, reaching that goal seems to be an insurmountable dream.

The Management of the station needs to be changed with a more free-flowing constructed structure and format established. The station lacks the spirit of youthful zest that a young Community Radio Station evidently must have in order for it to generate more Share and Reach which are the most important elements that support the growth of the station.

The future of radio in Tembisa is a struggle to the ears of the Tembisans and needs a competent team of educated young bloods to emancipate the community from the shackles of bad radio. The community needs to standup, particularly the youth and enhance the standards of radio in Tembisa.

WORD TO A NEW MAMBISA RADIO REVOLUTION

By Linda Sakazi Thwala