SOUTHSIDE FM RADI0
P.O. Box 486 Tel: 031 - 568 1309
Verulam 4340 Cell: 082 376 9053
March 2 2011
NEWSLETTER
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It has been a long and hard struggle. Ever since community members and representatives of organisations decided in October 2009 to initiate the launch of a radio station for South Africans whose mother tongues are Tamil and Telugu, the committed committee members have worked tirelessly and against many odds in trying to obtain a community radio licence.
The committed committee members who have continued the struggle and met regularly to move the process forward are:
1. Mr Balan Govender, who although stating that he had joined the movement in a personal capacity, is the president of the MTTS and currently the president of the KwaZulu-Natal Tamil Federation.
2. Mr Swaminathan Gounden, veteran political activist.
3. Mr Seelan Archary, who is the chairman of the Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Temple.
4. Ms Thirupuriesundrie Govender, an active Tamil scholar.
5. Mr Richard Naidoo, an executive member of the Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa and community leader.
6. Ms Keresha Govender, a young cultural exponent from Tongaat.
7. Mr Sagie Naidoo, a strong cultural and religious leader.
and
8. Mr Marimuthu Subramoney(aka Subry Govender), veteran political journalist and former struggle activist who initiated the process.
In order to obtain a community radio licence, we had to embark on a strenuous road to address cultural and religious organisations; obtain a petition of support from individuals, organisations and business leaders; communicate with organisations in India, interact with the Indian Consul General in Durban, and interact with Sentech, ICASA, and the Department of Social Welfare's Non-Profit Organisation(NPO) section.
NPO Application
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This process took sometime and we first submitted an application for NPO status in May 2010. The response was positive and on September 22 2010, we received confirmation that our application was successful and that we would receive the documentation at the end of November.
Once we obtained this confirmation we embarked on the next process to obtain a community radio licence. But first we had to negotiate with Sentech and ICASA for an FM frequency. ICASA gave us two frequencies which we had submitted to Sentech, for they are the ones responsible for connecting us to the airwaves.
Sentech assured us that once we were granted the licence, the company would instal the necessary equipment for us to broadcast. This, they said, would cost about R45 000.
ICASA Licence Application
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With the NPO confirmation and the assurance from Sentech, we went about putting together our application to ICASA for a class community licence. We collected and collated the necessary supporting documents from members of the community, organisations, and business people; drafted the required constitution; Business Plan; and other necessary documents. We submitted our application by special registered mail to ICASA offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, sometime in November 2010.
Deposit
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Soon after we submitted our application, ICASA came back to us to advise us that we had to lodge a deposit of R3 000. Since we had no money and had not even opened an account at this stage, we managed to obtain a loan from a supporter. This deposit was duly paid to ICASA in December.
More NPO Development
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No sooner had we submitted our application to ICASA for the radio licence, we received notification from the NPO office that we had to submit more information. This we had done in January 2011 and our application is currently with the NPO office. They have informed us by letter that our application for NPO status is being attended to and we will be informed soon.
Support from prominent business leaders
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While our application for an ICASA licence was being considered, the committee embarked on a process to speak to business leaders for their support. We had met and discussed our initiative with one of the country's most prominent business leaders. The business leader in question assured us that he supported us 100 percent and even offered us premises from where to broadcast.
We thereafter received support from another prominent businessman, who is making his mark in the business world.
We also held discussions with other community leaders, who gave us their support.
We will disclose the names of the prominent business leaders at a special function as soon as we receive our broadcast licence.
Opening of Bank Account
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In anticipation of us being granted a licence, we proceeded to open an account at FNB in Durban North. Ms Keresha Govender, Mr Balan Govender and Mr M. Subramoney are signatories to the account.
More ICASA documents
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We were under the impression that all our work was now over and that were were only awaiting our ICASA licence and the NPO certificate. But ICASA came back to us in February 2011 to inform us that they need further information and more documents from us. ICASA wanted more information and clarification regarding our target market, the numbers involved, the area of initial broadcast, an ORGANOGRAM of our radio organisation, and supporting documents from the two business leaders who indicated their support for us.
This process did not take much time and on March 2 2011 we submitted all the required documents to ICASA by registered mail.
The road ahead
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We now have to await another month or two before we are informed of our application.
We have decided that as soon as we granted a licence, we would call a meeting of all those who have supported us and also hold a grand fund-raising dinner.
We want to thank all those who have supported us and those who have given pledges of support once our licence is granted.
Anyone wishing more information, please contact: ptsa@global.co.za
M. Subramoney
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Committee members: M. Subramoney, Ms Thirupurisundrie Govender(Secretary), Ms Keresha Govender(Treasurer/Asst Secretary), Mr Richard Naidoo, Mr Balan Govender, Mr Swaminathan Gounden, Mr Seelan Archary, Sagie Naidoo
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