Is local really that lekker?

Social media was abuzz last week following an announcement by the SABC requesting all commercial radio stations in South Africa to play 90% domestic music and 10% international music. Residents share their views...

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POLOKWANE – Some citizens agreed with this initiative saying that it will boost local artists whereas some did not seem happy about the decision, saying that this move will affect listenership.
Some of the comments in Twitter read:
• Danny K @dannykmusic:
Supporting local is not charity folks. Our stuff is as good as any international music out there (sic).
• MmaphefoFeesMustFall @mp4mogal:
#SABC we thank you for the new policy, our musicians have never disappointed. #it’s about time (sic).
• Marlon van Der Linde @marlonial.
#SABC forcing content on TV and now radio. This is one inch away from the way North Korea or Stalin was doing things (sic).
• Champ Payne @Champ_Payne:
Wonder if #SABC took this 90% decision because they don’t want to play Drake’s new album (sic).
• Lindiwe Mlandu @LindiweMl:
It’s going to be interesting what’s going to happen to Metro’s top 30 this weekend because majority is international songs #SABC (sic).

Kgothatso Modiba “Listeners have the right to decide what they expect from radio stations, hence SABC should have given citizens a chance to state their views before drawing a conclusion. This was a bad move by the SABC and they should expect consequences.”

Tshepho Matlala “SABC should have conducted a survey before drawing a conclusion. The SABC management is selfish and that is why they did not bother to give listeners a say on the matter.”

Kelebogile Maluleke “This initiative will boost local artists but it will also affect listenership in a bad way. Radio personalities should be the ones who decide what kind of music they want to play during their radio slots because they know exactly what their listeners want.”

Phuti Moloto “I will listen to community radio stations since they are not affected by this lousy decision made by the SABC management. Who would want to listen to Penny Penny’s music on a Sunday afternoon? I expect slow jams on Sundays to refresh and relax after church.”

Koketso Moja “The SABC should reconsider its decision because this will reduce their listenership. Young people prefer international music rather than local. This ‘local is lekker’ saying is not going to work in this case. I don’t think young people will continue being glued to the radio knowing that they might not even hear a single song from an international artist.”

Jacques Roodt “This will affect the radio stations big time. Most people love international music and I think it would be best if the SABC reconsider its decision before things fall apart.”