Khayelitsha FM, a digital community radio station for Khayelitsha and surrounding areas, is ready to thrill listeners from Tuesday 1 November.
The station is currently available through live streaming. It currently plays music while the process to finalise voices, the line-up and programmes is underway.
Once up and running the station will prominently broadcast in isiXhosa with occasional English commentary.
It will become the second community radio station for Khayelitsha after Radio Zibonele.
King Ngavu, the station owner, has promised to give listeners a sense of entitlement, ownership while also developing young people of Khayelitsha.
According to Ngavu, the station will be different to any other radio station. It will play 90% South African music, have a 50/50 gender parity, 80% local and 20 national content.
“We will bring what has never be done before with being unique and fresh. The station will also be giving young people voice of expression,” said Ngavu.
He said the station will be the voice of Khayelitsha, a platform for young people to also train for radio.
Ngavu said through the station he will also help those who want to train be on the radio.
“We are putting everything together and we can even start next week to show how ready we are. We are now finalising our presenters but our platform is already playing music and only the voices are missing,” said a confident Ngavu.
Ngavu, who is also in the media space, grew up in Khayelitsha. He said there is no turning back as they have also secured their license to broadcast.
“This is another way of investing back to eKasi. It is sad seeing young travelling as far Gauteng to do radio because there are no opportunities for them in their own townships,” he said.
The station said as from January next year, 20% of its advertising profit will go to their Khayelitsha FM Residence Education Fund which will be used to assist Khayelitsha students who are in need of financial aid for their tertiary education.
The station is regulated by South African Music Performance Rights Association (Sampra) and its license certificates is valid from 1 May 2022 until May 2023.