As we commemorate and discuss this year’s World Radio Day under the theme, ‘Peace and Radio’ in many events and public forums throughout the world, it is important to equally elevate the importance of this communication medium and the diverse voices behind the microphone.

Radio as a channel on its own is not capacitated nor enabled to drive and amplify peace-building efforts in any society without people behind the microphone. Whilst World Radio day is about celebrating the existence of radio, much attention must also be drawn to the stakeholders who consistently contribute meaningfully to our content development efforts by helping the SABC fulfill its mandate of reflecting plurality of views on its programming.

Therefore, the development of radio content, ought to be celebrated in chorus with the voices of content creators, anchors and producers, subject matter experts and opinion makers who shape the discussions by providing insights and analysis on various topics and situations that affect society on a daily basis.

The recipients of radio content-listeners are critical stakeholders as information that is being transmitted is intended for them, thus without them radio is immaterial. Radio programming is also about establishing complete allegiance to the listeners, as failure to this will result in the erosion of trust in the platform and diminish its relevance.

Looking closely at this year’s theme and how the South African society has been confronted with many unfortunate situations leading to conflict such as the intermittent service delivery protests and other social ills, it has become increasingly important to use the various voices in radio programming to influence peace in communities and adequately build knowledge societies.

The SABC values plurality of views in programming and SABC radio portfolio will commemorate the World Radio Day with various stakeholder driven activities. Our various radio platforms will facilitate discussions and integrate listeners’ opinions accordingly.

Essentially, this means that SABC radio broadcasts for the people by the people and without them, it would not exist.

Mmoni Seapolelo is the SABC’s Acting Group Executive for Corporate Affairs and Marketing.

World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on 13 February each year. The Day was decided by UNESCO on 3 November 2011 during its 36th conference.

The theme for the 12th edition of World Radio Day is “Radio and Peace”. On World Radio Day 2023, UNESCO highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

The SABC radio stations will celebrate the day as follows:

RSG

RSG is already driving the campaign on air with Live Reads and inviting listeners to send pictures of their radios and the different ways they listen to the radio.

The station then drives the campaign on social media with these pictures.

Channel Africa

SABC, ZNBC and the Mail and Guardian newspaper will be hosting a webinar on 13th February. The webinar will be streamed on Channel Africa, ZNBC and The Mail and Guardian platforms.

Discussion topics include –

Impact of War/Media responsibility; Impact on Migrants; Xenophobia; Poverty; Media’s Role in peace; Journalistic responsibility.

The discussion will feature SABC Group Executive for Radio, Nada Wotshela.

Lotus FM

• The Breakfast show (Breakfast Express) will do a simulcast broadcast with Good Hope FM breakfast team.
• The lunch show from 14h00 to 15h00 will do a simulcast broadcast with R2000 and SAFM.
• The Drive-By show will do a simulcast with the Ukhozi Drive Team.

Ligwalagwala FM

Asambe Drive Show Will Buy for a listener radio set that uses solar, and donate that to a household needing it the most.

5FM

“Get around the world with 5FM’s Big 2023 Energy”.

Listeners from across the country, and around the globe will be encouraged to share videos and voice notes, indicating where in the world they are while showing their surroundings and spreading the ‘Big 2023 energy’ as part of 5fm on World Radio Day.

Thobela FM

The midday show, E ba le nna 13:00 – 15:00 will have the following content:

• 15-minute simulcast between Thobela FM and Ikwekwezi at 14:10-14:25.
• show will have an interview with a station Manage of Namibia radio station, Tirelo ya Sechaba. To discuss the role of radio in society.

15:00 – 18:00 Ntshirogele

• The show will talk to the head of journalism and wits radio academy on the impact of radio training in sharpening the talent and personality of radio personnel. Academy is a centre of training, research, and public engagement in the field of radio. Based at the University of the Witwatersrand to make a special contribution to the development of radio in South Africa and beyond, with a particular focus on community radio.

Munghana Lonene FM

The midday show, Dzumba na Mina 13:30 – 15:00 will have a 15-minute Simulcast with Radio Mozambique to discuss how radio broadcasting is evolving in the 2 countries.

Lesedi FM

• Thakgoha Breakfast Show – Simulcast with Radio 2000 focusing on the importance of radio in the modern-day. times)
• Jwale ke Nako – The Legendary Thuso Motaung to broadcast from a remote area such as a to highlight this on digital platforms to show how technology has improved radio in this fourth industrial revolution era.
• Interview with Soul City Communications Manager – Pontsho Pilane – unpacking the importance of radio for the development of children.

XK FM

• The established day and year of Radio XK FM & interview with the seasoned presenters.
• Interview with various government departments about how radio assists in their operations.

Over and above the above plans, the stations will also feature a variety of content such as interviews with former radio legends, call-ins and various reflections on how radio is impacting the lives of listeners every day.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) Channel Africa, in partnership with Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and the Mail and Guardian Newspaper are collaborating and co-hosting a webinar in commemoration of UNESCO World Radio Day on 13th February 2023 from 10-12pm.

The webinar furthers SABC’s vision of becoming the leading, credible voice and face of the nation and the continent.  Not only is the webinar aligned to the Corporate vision but it directly speaks to the mandate of SABC’s digital radio platform, Channel Africa.  Channel Africa is an International Radio service of the SABC whose mission is to produce and broadcast innovative and dynamic programming that informs, educates, entertains, and empowers African citizens.

World Radio Day was proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/67/124) in 2012 as an International Day, February 13 became World Radio Day (WRD).

This year marks UNESCO’s twelfth edition of World Radio Day and the theme for this year is “Radio and Peace”. In the context of ongoing wars in several parts of the world, an increased number of migrants due to conflicts, growing polarization in societies and violent extremism, this edition aims to showcase radio’s work to keep bringing news and entertainment to populations even in difficult situations.

World Radio Day 2023 will also focus on serving people’s right to information and freedom of expression, without compromising journalistic principles or inflaming the public debate and holding the powerful to account.

The month of February is known worldwide as Black History Month, remembering and honouring people and events in the history of and the contemporary African diaspora. Just over 90 decades ago marks the start of the Black History Month commemorations, which started in the United States of America, but it is now also a celebration of “Africaness” beyond the borders of the USA.

‘S3 is launching its new programming for this month centred around BlackHistory Month. We have selected good block buster movies for Sunday evening at 19:30 – celebrating black actors in the movie industry with movieslike Flight with Denzil Washington and Enemy of the State with Will Smith. There are movies selected for Saturday night at 22:30 that dramatically examine systemic racism in contemporary American society. S3 has also curated programs that delve into the historical experience of Africans on the slave plantations in America (the horror, the bravery of resistance and the eventual abolition of slavery). Soon after abolition though, the segregation laws, “the Jim Crow legislation” similar to apartheid laws were enacted. There is much that is different about American society but there are many similarities in how racism was constructed and implemented. For us in the contemporary world, it is important to remember that the legacy of the past lives on in the present and it is an important history to know and understand modernity.’ Pat van Heerden – Channel Head: S3.

As part of the annual commemoration, S3 introduces Black History Month movies on Saturdays at 22:30, starting with The Hate U Give on the 4th of February 2023. In this film, Starr Carter, played by Amandla Stenberg, witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressure from all sides of the community, she must find her voice and stand up for what is right.

The Devil To Pay follows on the 11th of February, with Danielle Deadwyler, Catherine Dyer and Jayson Warner Smith at the centre of this tragic story. A struggling farmer in an isolated Appalachian community fights to save her son when the cold-hearted matriarch of the oldest family on the mountain demands payment of a debt that could destroy a decade-old truce.

Harriet, starring Janelle Monae, Cynthia Erivo, and Leslie Odom Jr., is an extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

The channel also celebrates Black History Month with the acquisition of the drama Underground on Thursdays at 21:00. This is a story about bravery, ingenuity, and power taking centre stage as plantation slaves’ band together in the fight of their lives – for their families, their future and most importantly, their freedom.

For more information, publicity images and interview opportunities, contact the S3 Publicity office.

Do not miss the #S3BlackHistoryPower offering this February, only on S3.

SABC1 has set to take viewers on the journey behind the success and challenges faced by award-winning afro pop singer Zahara with the broadcast of her reality show Zahara – As I Rise, starting Saturday, 4 February 2023. The show will broadcast at 19:30.

Zahara first entered the industry with her album, Loliwe, which has generated massive success on all fronts. Many unanswered questions will arise, starting with the success of her album that launched in 2011 and the claim of unpaid funds with the link to the record label.

This reality show follows Zahara on a journey of restoration and healing from all she has encountered. She is trying to take in everything at her own pace, but in the same breath, the answers she seeks have now opened more questions that need answering.

The series promises to offer viewers an intimate view into her life, and they will see Zahara play unique roles in different lives and revive herself and her music career. Underneath the pouting persona with a glass of alcohol every day and the stress of losing everything she owns, there is a bruised woman with no make-up, fighting to do corrections of her life, a sister, and a woman searching for joy that she has not felt for years. Zahara has always been unapologetic about who she is, and she will let the viewers in on her life on many levels.

‘My journey has not been easy. I have mourned my brother’s death and suffered the betrayal, pressure and frustrations that have taken a toll on me, driving me to drink myself to death.’ – Zahara.

For more information, interview opportunities and publicity images, contact SABC1 Publicity.

siON, tune into Zahara – As I Rise every Saturday at 19:30, starting 4 February 2023, only on SABC1 Mzansi FoSho!

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Since the launch of Ushuni woKhozi FM merchandise. How has the public responded to this merchandise, looking at the general sentiments and sales?

The Ushuni woKhozi FM brand has created so much excitement in the market. This is evident in the number of sales, listeners posting photos of themselves on social media wearing the shoes to various events and the demand in the provinces we are yet to be available in.

What are the key marketing activities in place to ensure maximum sales for the merchandise?

Firstly, a lot of hype has been created on air and on all our digital platforms. The excitement and pride that the presenters have for our new baby is contagious and makes listeners want to be part of this movement. During the month of December, the station implemented in-store activations that assisted with feet through Jam Store doors. Taxi branding advertising the Ushuni Wokhozi fm brand could be seen through the festive season in the station’s broadcast area.

Initially when the shoes were launched they were only available in KZN. As JAM is nationwide, Ushuni Wokhozi fm will be available nationwide by the end of January 2023. This happens to coincide with the station’s Back to School roadshow which sees the station visiting various provinces. The station will do store activations as it makes its way around the country for the Back to School Campaign.

South Africans will see the station’s TV ad soon and should also be on the lookout for some of their favourite celebrities who have served as influencers for the station.

When will the roll out of Ushuni woKhozi FM be extended countrywide through JAM Stores?

Ushuni Wokhozi fm is already available in the Gauteng region in areas such as Mamelodi (Mams Mall), Soweto (Maponya Mall), Vosloorus, Woodmead and CBD (Commissioner). The shoes will be available nationwide by the end of January 2023.

Any plans for diversified product line yet?

Absolutely, the team is working very hard on the winter line which we are extremely excited to launch in April 2023.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s CSI department has begun the year in full swing, by bringing back it’s ‘Back to School Campaign’ which has seen the lives of South African learners being positively impacted over the years.

This year, the SABC will be donating 60 laptops in 3 provinces namely; Free State Province, Limpopo Province and Western Cape Province. In 2021/2022 the SABC donated 60 laptops in Northern Cape Province, Eastern Cape Province and Mpumalanga Province.

On 23 January 2023, the public broadcaster made a donation of 20 laptops to Virginia High School in the Free State, which, introduced its first Grade 12 class in 2022 and achieved just over a 90% matric pass. The handover event was graced by the Free State’s MEC of Education Mr. Tate Makgoe. MEC Makgoe expressed his excitement with the work that SABC is doing and encouraged other corporate companies to do the same, in support of Education.

The SABC’s Head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Ms. Ndileka Cola stated “SABC CSI is proud of this back to school initiative, as we do not see it as spending funds but investing in the future of our youth through access to tools which will further develop their educational journey. The donation of laptops has provided many positives to the schools we have interacted with thus far and it is a sustainable project. The donations also speak to government’s efforts to have everyone participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the public broadcaster playing its role in fulfilling that mandate. We are excited, as the laptops will assist learners from grade 8 to start operating a computer. In our criteria for selecting institutions of learning, we look for schools that teach CAT and we also request the principals to allow other learners who don’t take CAT as a subject to be taught basic computer literacy skills.”

Cola further added “As we are all aware that all higher education institutions make use of digital lectures, we saw the need to empower learners by donating laptops, which is our key contribution to ‘Back to School Campaign’.”

In order to ensure all our handover events are a success, the SABC’s Provincial Regional Operations Manager’s (ROM) and the radio stations in the regions, play a key role in identifying schools, scanning the environment, as well as the implementation and raising awareness around the campaign.

The SABC strives to initiate CSI activities which are not only in line with its public mandate, but will have sustainable and positive impact on the lives of South African that it engages with. The public broadcaster will also continue to partner with civil organisations, as changing our society for the better is a journey enhanced when we work together.