Kayamandi is set to have a radio station broadcasting from the township for the first time ever, in the coming months.
This was according to the founder of the new radio station, Thando Dyantyi.
Ikaya Labantu FM will launch in the coming months. PHOTO: Facebook/Ikaya Labantu FM
Ikaya Labantu FM will be broadcasting online from Amazink in Kayamandi, until Dyantyi’s proposal to obtain a frequency is approved by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), said Dyantyi, an AFDA film and television graduate.
“We’re going to have presenters and producers running the station online, from next month, after the launch. We still have to select a few but we do have potential presenters,” he said.
According to Dyantyi, the name of the station directly translates to “home of the people”. This relates to its setting, as Kayamandi means “home sweet home”, he said.
Ikaya Labantu FM will empower the people of Kayamandi by showcasing their talent and giving them a platform to speak out, according to Dyantyi. PHOTO: Supplied/Thando Dyantyi
“I feel that there is so much that can be done, so I decided to call it Ikaya Labantu so that everyone who is listening to this station can believe that their voices are being heard,” Dyantyi said.
An enlivened community
There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, according to Sinesipho Sibuta, marketing manager for Ikaya Labantu FM and Stellenbosch University marketing graduate.
“People have been sending messages and asking how they can get involved and we’ve had a lot of positive commentary,” said Sibuta.
According to Sibuta, this excitement stems from the fact that Ikaya Labantu is homegrown and is going to represent the people of Kayamandi.
“I feel greatly excited, mostly for the art culture of Kayamandi. As an artist residing here, I believe this will give us exposure to each other and hopefully the outside world. This is a great opportunity for us to grow and engage,” said Mawande Warren Ndywamba, a Kayamandi resident.