Nkomazi FM goes extra mile for community

“Nkomazi FM is a brand aiming at growing the economy in Nkomazi through the establishment of cohesive relationships with all stakeholders involved in the development of the region,” said Makhosetive Zulu, station manager for Nkomazi FM.

Our Facebook page boasts over 14 600 followers and this can largely be attributed to the current affairs shows that examine issues which directly impact on the lives of Nkomazi residents.

The content we offer is structured to promote local music, literature and poetry, as well as all other cultural and arts events,” said Zulu. Community development is part of the community radio station’s mandate as prescribed by Icasa and the station seems to be doing just that.

“Since the first broadcast in February, we have already made an impact in the lives of people and the Thembalethu Care Centre. We have also built a house for an impoverished community member who cares for orphaned children,” he further explained.

The station has established a good relationship with the SAPS and together they present crime awareness and prevention programmes to inform residents about protection and safety. “We might seem like all talk, but we are hands-on the ground.

Roadshows, including a concert with Trek4Mandela, were also held, where young women received sanitary towels and engaged in an informative dialogue session around puberty and the challenges that face these young women,” he added.

The station, however, has acknowledged that it will not be all green lights for them. “We are growing, we well aware of the challenges we face and the ones we are yet to encounter, hence we call on anyone who has expertise to help the station to come through.

We also want to assure people that we take their comments seriously and they will be attended to,” said Zulu. “Although we have relied on a small advertising base thus far, we have managed to create great change in terms of announcements, support of sporting initiatives, bringing the information which affects everyone to your homes, transport network and classrooms.

“With the support of the people, we will be able to continue to deliver content which is engaging, music which showcases our talent and a station that speaks to our youth, that supports your heritage that can empower its presenters not only for today, but also for generations to come,” he concluded.