TURN up the dial on your radio folks, DYR105.1 has moved into the heart of Florida Road and began broadcasting from its swanky new studio to loud applause last week.
Speaking at the event, DJ Kevin Minter-Brown, said the team had worked long and hard to make this dream a reality, and thanked everyone involved, from sponsors, the City and staff, for making it happen.
The radio station, known then as Durban Youth Radio, started at the University of Natal campus in 1995 and moved on to the Bat Centre. In May 2016, Kevin and Cameron Claassens took over the station.
“The crew has grown from strength to strength over the past two years and all volunteer at the station. Our moratorium is to train the youth, and many of our former DJs have moved on to mainstream radio stations,” said Kevin. In 2016, the station rebranded as the audience age increased and became DYR105.1. Kevin said the station is dedicated to supporting local musicians.
Nadeem Shahid, MD of Urban Lime, sponsors of the station’s move to Florida Road, said he was very proud to welcome DYR to Florida Road.
“We are bringing international brands like Starbucks to the road and moving a local non-profit community radio station into the heart of this. We are happy to support the journey,” he said.
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CEO of Urban Lime, Johnny Friedman congratulated the team and what they had done for radio in the city.
“The team has done something amazing on a shoestring budget and we thank them for being part of Florida Road. This city needs a chance and people like those at DYR need to commit to the city, which is completely vibrant and needs investment. The Florida Road area is where all cultures and communities can come together and feel comfortable. We are currently working on 20 projects in the road,” he said.
Cameron Claassens said it was an emotional day and was the culmination of six months of planning.
“I didn’t sleep last night, but I came in this morning and everything in the new studio was working. We have come far to get to the beautiful station we have today and this is a very humbling. There are exciting times ahead, and in three weeks time we will switch on the new state-of-the art transmitter which will vastly improve signal clarity, and ability to reach far and wide throughout the city,” he said.
