The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on community radio stations in South Africa as many presenters for these stations have not been able to travel to their studios. Since community radio stations are non-profit organisations, the pandemic has also affected their income.
However, these stations are making sure they are still broadcasting to keep their communities informed.
“The impact of the coronavirus on the community radio sector is tremendous. It’s hurting the stations in terms of the capacity to generate income,” said Franklin Huizies, National Community Radio Forum’s (NCRF) advisor.
White audio mixer beside black flat screen computer monitor. PHOTO: João Silas on Unsplash
“Most of our income comes from international events, festivals, conventions, restaurants and music events; sadly, due to lockdown regulations on crowd control, all of our sponsors had to pull out,” said Arnold van der Walt, community and campus radio station Mfm’s, program manager.
According to Huizies, The Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has assisted with income as they lobbied the MDDA to assist radio stations. “The MDDA complied by providing a small monthly budget towards the running expenses for these stations. This is small but it is going to help stations,” said Huizies.
Bradley Shaun, Radio KC’s Afternoon Drive presenter said it is an inevitable challenge. “We have succeeded in maintaining some relationships and agreements. We also went into partnership with the Department of Health, which also helps, but it’s still a challenge,” he added.
Shaun said the Department of Health provides the station with content which they schedule and broadcast throughout the week.
Community radio stations crucial
Huizies believes community radio plays a critical role in sharing information. “[T]he beauty is that these stations provide all of this within local dialects within local languages,” said
Huizies. He praises community radio stations for “doing a sterling job in terms of providing trustworthy information.”
“Community radio stations have always been in the thick of things when it comes to the well-being of communities,” said Huizies.
Huizies mentioned that community radio provides a platform to create public value. “You can interpret public values by just looking at the public education role that community radio is playing. At this moment you would find that most of the community radio stations in South Africa have got a hunger for authentic information concerning Covid-19,” he continued.
According to Huizies there is also a national drive campaign with the Department of Education distributing contents through community radio stations to assist matriculants.
“There’s also been a national campaign with the office of the minister in the presidency to inform citizens on the day-to-day developments, in terms of the government’s efforts to fight this pandemic,” said Huizies.
Bradley Shaun at Radio KC in Paarl. PHOTO: Supplied by Bradley Shaun
Shaun says the media has the responsibility to be present during the lockdown. “It’s the voice of the community. It’s the journey, the pulse, the escape that brings everyone together. My voice, my heritage, my pride,” said Shaun.
Van der Walt mentions that community radio is more personal and intimate. “One can sometimes feel like just another number with a big commercial station, but with community radio, we get to engage directly with our listeners. There’s no real disconnect,” said Van der Walt.
Staying on air
Due to the lockdown, community radio stations had to make plans to keep the station on air. Mfm, whose presenters consist mostly of students, had to figure out how to run the station away from the studio during the first two weeks of lockdown. “We had a couple of days to figure out how to run the whole station remotely,” said Van der Walt.
However, Van der Walt said things constantly change and Mfm is not being run from his home anymore. “We have presenters in the studio, in the hours that they are allowed to be in studio. Everything changes so quickly and regularly during lockdown with rules for radio.”
Mfm’s adjusted lineup for lockdown. PHOTO: Arnold van der Walt
“As a community radio station, we have to – and want to – ensure that our listeners stay informed,” Van der Walt said.
“We recorded and produced content pieces from home, detailing what you need to know about Covid-19; dos and don’ts, how to keep yourself busy, general hygiene tips, etc,” he continued.
Radio KC keeps their main drive shows running and also have recorded programs, according to Shaun. “We have a responsibility to keep the show running. Staff are working different shifts, with a few working from home.”
How to support community radio stations
Huizies said that community radio is a social enterprise. “Meaning that they want to achieve a social impact within the broadcast footprint and they can’t do that without financial support,” he continued.
He encourages community members to make donations to their community radio stations.
“It’s really money that will go towards the development of content, development of staff and resources of the station and hence also developing local communities. I always say community radio is the blood of local development,” he explained.
“Keep on listening. As long as you are listening, we will be talking, creating content, entertaining and educating,” said Van der Walt.
Radio ‘On Air’ sign, indicating that mics are live. PHOTO: Wilné van Rooyen
– Wilné van Rooyen