MZINTI – The establishment of the radio station also offers an opportunity to aspiring presenters and DJs to have a platform. Nkomazi residents have been listening to Ligwalagwala FM, Mbabane Radio and Nkomazi FM.
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Pocket Stereo came at time when the country is moving to comply with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology where data and Internet take centre stage.
The Internet radio, also called web radio, net radio, streaming radio, e-radio, IP radio or online radio, is a digital audio service transmitted via Internet. Broadcasting on the Internet is usually referred to as webcasting since it is not transmitted through wireless means.
Describing the online radio, Pocket Stereo programme manager, Thulani “Mashonsho” Sibambo, said it can either be used as a stand-alone device, running through the Internet, or as software running through a single computer. “Setting up this radio station was difficult due to lack of finances, setting up of the website, setting up the streaming, keeping the system up-to-date on daily basis and providing a well-functioning streaming signal,” Mashonsho said.
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The station is currently erecting a signal tower at One Tree Hill, commonly known as KaYeka. “We were delayed in erecting the tower by the Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.
“Many people have come onboard to try and offer their assistance to the station but they would eventually disappear because they were lacking passion.” Mashonsho explained.
“It wasn’t until we incorporated the services of Promise Mbebe, who had a radio stint with Nkomazi FM, that things began to flow. He self-funded the set-up of the station,” he said.
This online radio, which solely depends on data usage to broadcast, is located at Ruth First in Mzinti along the Kamhlushwa/Tonga road. It boasts 26 presenters and DJs who already have taken radio airwaves by storm. Established to belong to its listeners, Pocket Stereo is a brainchild of four young people who have a passion for radio and wanted to offer an alternative voice to different listeners.
“We are not in any way in competition with Nkomazi FM rather we are one big happy family as we are trading in our unique business experience. In celebrating Heritage Month, we have planned to host social games with Nkomazi FM, which will be funded by Summer Square. We will be doing this to interact with and entertain the community we broadcast for,” Mashonsho said.
Asked if Pocket Stereo was competition to Nkomazi FM, its programme manager, Vusi Kubayi, said it was not broadcasting for the same listeners. “We are not targeting listeners who rely on data to listen to our radio. Our listeners are a wireless family,” Kubayi said. “And we are too busy to even care or notice if we have the competition. We have a loyal listenership,” he said.
