SOUTHSIDE FM RADIO GIVEN ASSURANCE THAT IT'S DURBAN FREQUENCY WILL BE IRONED OUT SOON

BY SUBRY GOVENDER

Southside FM Radio, which was given a promise by the authorities early this year that it will able to launch by December 2013, has now been given an assurance by Sentech that its frequency in the Durban area will be ironed out soon. Sentech Durban Manager, Mr Patrick Sikhosana, told a delegation of Southside FM Radio on Friday, August 16 2013 that "all we are waiting for is a letter from the SABC". "Once the SABC gives us the letter within two weeks, we will continue with our tests and this will take about a month," he told the delegation. "Thereafter we will send a report to ICASA, which will then issue the necessary documents for Southside to get off the ground." Sentech's statement follows Southside's meeting with a senior ICASA official, Mr Monde Mbanga, at the ICASA offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, early in August. Meanwhile, Southside has decided to accept an offer to broadcast from an office at the ABH in Chatsworth. The decision was taken at a meeting on Friday, August 16 2013, after it was reported at the meeting that the premises at the Mount Edgecombe Mariammen Cultural Centre will only be available later this year. The meeting also resolved that once the agreement for the premises has been entered into, arrangements will be made for the construction of the studio, the appointment and training of presenters, the recruitment of advertising representatives and the appointment of othe staff members. The Southside meeting also elected a Board of Governors that will be overall in charge of the radio station. The Board will be the final decision-making organ. The Board is made up of: 1. Mrs Sally Padaychie, a former struggle activist. 2. Ms Keresha Govender, a cultural activist. 3. Mrs Thirupuriesundrie Govender, a Tamil scholar. 4. Mr Logan Naidoo 5. Mr Balan Gounder 6. Mr Richard Naidoo, a cultural activist. 7. Mr Swaminathan Gounden, former struggle activist. 8. Mr Denis Naidoo, cultural and former activist. 9. Mr Subry Govender, initiator and struggle journalist. The Southside meeting also acknowledged the support given to the radio station by senior government leaders recently.