ERS back on track

Neville Burr-Dixon, the board of directors (BOD) interim chairman, says it has been a difficult year for them with a lot of changes that took place.

“We don’t see the dismissal of three staff members as a set back, but rather as a way of becoming a new radio station,” he says.

Frans Swart and Johan Smit were dismissed as directors in February, while Pedro de Silva was dismissed as programme manager in April and the matter sub judice.

Other staff members also left the company including Retha Potgieter who resigned as station manager in November 2014 while Darius Potgieter, the technical manager left ERS in September 2015 and Henry Bruinette, a broadcaster, resigned in August.

Burr-Dixon says there was a turnaround in their finances and they are proud of the progress thus far. With a total liability of nearly R2-million, the BOD managed to reduce the amount to about R500 000.

Some notable achievements were made:

• After hours of negotiations between ERS and the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro), the two parties came to an agreement that ERS will pay back the outstanding balance of about R693 000, with Samro allowing a 50% discount.

• The amount of R190 000 owed to SARS, was settled.

• Costs owed to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa were paid in full.

• The outstanding amount of R40 000 owed to the auditors was settled.

• Local businessman, Willie Delport, invested a substantial amount in ERS, which contributed to the financial change over the past year.

The radio station has embarked on several events and projects this year and have reached 89 000 listeners.

ERS started a community involvement progamme where several local businesses donated 23 trollies of groceries worth R23 000, which will be given to families in need in Ekurhuleni.

“Despite difficult times and decisions that had to made, the personnel of ERS kept their spirit and work ethic high regardless,” Burr-Dixon concluded.