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Mdantsane is a unique, vibrating, eclectic, African place. Follow us on a pilgrimage to Mdantsane to discover the street culture, fashion, food, people, music, homes, taverns, humor, businesses, history and what's hot in the second biggest township in South-Africa, located close to the city of East London in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Join us on this journey while we capture the spirit of this amazing place for you in the here and in the now. We are going to introduce you to many individuals, artists, musicians, groups and associations.
They are the HEROES OF DAILY LIFE. They are the people who create, innovate and improve their life and their stories deserve to be told. This is a place for only good and positive stories of humanity, that will send out a message of courage, endurance and strength to the world through their pictures and words.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Community Radio Is Important And So Is Mdantsane FM

The residents of Mdantsane have been waiting for a long time to get a proper community radio. When the community radio station Mdantsane FM was inaugurated our guest writer and Mdantsane resident Siyanda Nkonyeni wrote an article for The Mdantsane Way Magazine about this memorable and historical event. 

Today we are paying tribute to the team of Mdantsane FM for adding so much value to the township since the day they first started broadcasting.

Listening.....and talking about the local stuff Mncedisi Kaizer Mabhulu

"Community radio" is defined as a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial and public broadcasting. Community radio stations serve geographic communities and communities of interest. 
They broadcast content, that is popular and relevant to a local, specific audience of these communities but is often overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters. 

Siseko Kondile - Mdantsane FM still going strong after more than one year of broadcasting and informing the township about issues that concern the residents

Our own purpose of existence as an online magazine, that portrays the township of Mdantsane is to give the community a voice. What we are doing through our photography, article and movies, the Mdantsane FM radio station is doing through words and music. 
And they are doing good! They also have become a platform for young artists and musicians.

Mncedisi Kaizer Mabhulu Senior Producer at Mdantsane FM
 
Community radio stations are operated, owned, and influenced by the communities they serve. They are generally non-profit organizations and provide a mechanism for enabling individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own stories, to share experiences and, in a media-rich world, to become creators and contributors of media.

The lives of the others.......

They give a voice to those we only see from behind!

Mdantsane residents love their community radio

They give a voice to those whom we only see in the distance!

Community radios help to ensure the the rights of minority groups are heard and included in government programming

To the ones we pass by in a hurry!

Community Radio is a tool for development

And the ones we can not see clearly at all!

Community radio gives a voice to the voiceless. 
But it is much more than that. Community radios offer a forum for dialogue between communities and their governments. Community radio helps to ensure, that vulnerable and minority groups are represented in society and that they needs are included and represented in government policies. Through the intervention of community radios laws have been passed.

The Mdantsane FM teamwas present at the inauguration of a work container for the elderly funded by the NDA in NU 12
 
If run properly community radios become a tool for development.
Community Radio stations can educate, inform and create awareness amongst local audiences about issues that effect their lives like health, education, water and human rights. 

Community radio stations are legally defined as a distinct broadcasting sector in many countries, such as France, South Africa and Ireland. Much of the legislation has included terms and connotations such as "social benefit", "social objectives" and "social gain" as part of the definition. Community radio has developed differently in different countries, and the term has somewhat different meanings in the different countries.

A Mdantsane FM team member giving us her best smile
In many parts of the world, community radio acts as a vehicle for the community and voluntary civil society, agencies, NGOs and citizens to work in partnership to further community development aims, in addition to broadcasting. 

Mdantsane FM has been doing exactly this since their day of inauguration and it can not be overlooked that the station has contributed to the development of the township considerably.

Overlooking NU 12

Problems? Sure, there are many like management, inadequate equipment, financial and staff issues but none of them could not be overcome. Voices have been heard that Mdantsane FM is not going to survive but as we see it they are still going strong and they are loved.
All community radios encounter difficulties.

Mdantsane needs a community radio.  Research in different African countries has shown that community radios are often the most important sources of information in their communities. Mdantsane is no exception in this regard.

Mdantsane FM is also recognized as representing an open forum for dialogue and debate at the local level in the township, with access for members of government, civil society organizations and the public.

What happens where you live is always closest to your heart
 So, lets talk about it! Thank you Mdantsane FM for a good job!

Community radios are social change agents

Radio programs of Mdantsane FM have not only informed people about important events but as one resident of Mdantsane told us"they encouraged me to change my behavior"!

2 comments:

  1. Wow...this was at the NDA/Social Development event at Mdantsane, NU 12

    That's me with the brown t.shit. Thanks fro the indepth writeup guys - very nice.

    We should get that on-air interview we spoke that day, in motion.

    Regards,
    Siseko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Siseko, for your comment and for the great job you are doing! We will add your name to the caption of the image. Happy you like the article!

      Regards
      The Mdantsane Way Magazine

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