Southside FM Radio - Frequency developments

By Subry Govender The community radio station, Southside FM, has asked ICASA for a meeting to discuss the granting of a frequency to the station in the Durban area. The chairman of Southside FM Radio, Mr Balan Gounden, said in a statement that the Management Committee of the station took the decision at a meeting held at the David Landau Community Centre in Asherville, Durban, on Thursday, May 10. "We have requested for a meeting with ICASA in view of the fact that ICASA has only agreed to grant us a frequency for the Port Shepstone region - stretching from Port Edward to Umkomaas," he said. "We want to point out to ICASA that the Durban area, North Coast, South Coast and the Pietermaritzburg region are our initial target areas. The late Minister, Mr Roy Padaychie, was negotiating on our behalf and his untimely death has complicated matters. "We now want to meet ICASA officials in order to sort out our frequency issue. We want to point out to ICASA that Minister Padaychie fully supported our initiative and that we want to fulfil his legacy of promoting the cultural and economic interests of all South Africans. President Jacob Zuma and other Government leaders paid glowing tributes to Minister Padaychie for his commitment and hard working in trying to help our multi-cultural society." Mr Gounder said many people were questioning them on a daily basis about when Southside FM would be launched. "We want to point out that the delay by ICASA and Sentech to grant us a frequency is causing this delay. Once we are granted this frequency we would then finalise our arrangements for the building of our studio and offices, recruitment of our presenters, journalists and advertising representatives. "We have taken up our frequency problems with other leaders and if need be we would make representations to the highest levels," he said. Meanwhile, those interested in joining Southside FM Radio as presenters, journalists and advertising representatives should contact Mr Subry Govender on ptsa@global.co.za or subrygovender@gmail.com. - ends