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ABOUT COMMUNITY RADIO

Community radio is the heartbeat of South Africa’s broadcasting landscape, reaching millions of listeners daily in their own languages and reflecting the realities of their lives. Today, more than 200 licensed community radio stations operate across urban townships, peri-urban hubs, and rural villages, making it the largest tier of broadcasting in the country. These stations provide local news, cultural programming, education, and entertainment tailored to the unique needs of their communities.

Good News Community Radio (GNCR)

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Good News Community Radio (GNCR)

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GNCR is a faith-based Christian community radio station based in Durban next to King Shaka International Airport. The station’s programming includes news, sports, and community uplifting programmes in many languages including Tamil, Hindi, and Afrikaans. The station broadcasts to Durban and surrounding areas area on the frequency 93.6 FM and live streams worldwide through its website. Here listeners can also access the podcasts of the station’s main shows and learn more about the events sponsored and supported by it.

GNCR Geographic Licence area is Verulam and Phoenix in eThekwini Metro. GNCR Broadcast languages are English – 67%, Afrikaans –2%, IsiZulu –25%, Tamil–3% and Hindi –3%. Local News and Information are 60 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%.

Highway Radio

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Highway Radio

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Highway Radio is a community of interest radio station serving the Christian community in Durban and Pinetown area in the eThekwini Metro in KwaZulu Natal. The station aims to promote Christian values by flighting content that is spiritual reinvigorating. The station’s content is not only limited to religious issues but covers a myriad of pertinent topics including but not limited to current affairs, sports, science, arts and music. Highway Radio Geographic Licence area is Greater Durban and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal. Highway Radio Broadcast languages are IsiZulu – 42%, English –55% and Afrikaans – 3%. Local News and Information is 56 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Highway Radio Frequency is 101.5 FM. It broadcast for 24 hours.

ICORA

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ICORA

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Indonsakusa Community Radio affectionately known as ICORA FM is situated in the Northern part of KZN, Empangeni. It was established on the 10th of December 1997 in King Dinuzulu . The prime objective was and still is to redress the imbalances of the past particularly in rural areas.

The idea of forming this radio station was born out of the conviction that the station would stimulate and guide the communities to action. Some programmes that are broadcast by the station range from teenage pregnancies, sexual transmitted disease, child abuse, drug additions, and developmental issues.

ICORA FM’s geographic License area are Babanango, Qudeni, Esikhawini and Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. ICORA FM Broadcast languages 100% Zulu. Local News and Information Thirty (30) minutes of news per day, of which fifteen (15) minutes shall be local news, ten (10) minutes shall be national, and five (5) minutes shall be international. South African Music Content is 80%. ICORA FM Frequency is 100.40 MHZ. It broadcast for 24 hours.

Radio Mafisa

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Radio Mafisa

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Radio Mafisa is a community radio station based in Rusternberg. The station is a family medium which aims to promote partnerships with community organisation for socio economic development. Radio Mafisa broadcasts to the Rustenburg area on the frequency 93.4 FM that is received on neighbouring towns like Marikana and Petlhane. The station is the oldest radio formation in Bojala District Municipality and such, its establishment coincided with the development of Rustenburg as a town.

This is reflected in its programming which includes lot of content from the mining areas where people come from different areas to seek, in Mafisa FM, they find a home away from home. Though in Northwest Province, the station has IsiXhosa over and above English and Afrikaans as a language of broadcast.

The stations main objectives include providing community media with relevant information, offering digital training to members of the community especially the youth and women, exposing community members to the media and addressing socio economic development issues.

Radio Namakwaland

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Radio Namakwaland

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Radio Namakwaland is a community radio station serving the Christian community in the West Coast areas of the Western Cape. The station aims to promote christian values while bringing spiritual support and strengthen the bonds between the Christian communities through the airways.

The station’s broadcast content is delivered in English and Afrikaans 24 hours a day. Though a Christian community of interest, the station’s line up is a rich mélange of current affairs, arts, cultural and human-interest stories. It also offers music shows focused on the gospel genre and music by local artists drawn from its coverage area.

Radio Namakwaland broadcasts from Vredendal on the frequency 93.4 FM and live streams worldwide through its website. Here listeners can also access the podcasts of the station’s main shows and learn more about the events sponsored and supported by it.

Radio Zibonele

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Radio Zibonele

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Zibonele FM provides a free to air stereo FM radio service to the community of Khayelistha and surrounding areas and the Cape Metro in the Western Cape Province. Zibonele FM broadcasts a total of 65 minutes of news per day of which 40% is local 30% regional, 20% national and 10% international. 60% of Zibonele FM talk programmes are aimed at social issues affecting the Community, education, literacy and informing the community. This includes informal education such as skills development.

Zibonele FM Geographic Licence area is Greater Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. Zibonele FM Broadcast languages are IsiXhosa – 80%, English – 10% and Afrikaans –10%. Local News and Information are 65 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Zibonele FM Frequency is 98.2 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To provide good content that answers the needs of the community we serve. To provide community education and responsive radio programming that engages and enriches the community. The leadership should champion and monitor implementation of these goal. The leadership will be responsible to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of these goals.

RX Radio

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RX Radio

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RX Radio began operations on the 1st of December as an online radio. In 2022, ICASA awarded the station a Low Power Licence to broadcast within the Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Rondebosch, Cape Town. RX Radio Geographic Licence area is Red Cross Children’s Hospital. RX Radio Broadcast languages are IsiXhosa – 80%, English – 10% and Afrikaans –10%. Local News and Information 65 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. RX Radio Frequency is 98.2 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To produce quality programming for children and by the children.

Rainbow FM

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Rainbow FM

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Rainbow FM is a community radio station serving the Christian community in the West and South West areas of Gauteng. The station aims to promote Christian values while bringing spiritual support and strengthen the bonds between the Christian communities.

With that intent, it provides religious content in English, IsiZulu, Afrikaans, Tshivenda, SeSotho and SePedi. Its line-up comprises talk shows on current affairs and religious matters, the coverage of the main local and church events, interviews with members of the audience, religious celebrations and children’s programming. It also offers music shows focused on the Gospel genre and music by local artists.

Rainbow FM broadcasts to the Gauteng area on the frequency 90.7 FM and live streams worldwide through its website. Here listeners can also access the podcasts of the station’s main shows and learn more about the events sponsored and supported by it.

Objectives
Rainbow Community Broadcaster is a non-denominational not for profit Community Radio station who promotes community interest through broadcasting.

East Wave FM

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East Wave FM

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East wave Radio is a community radio station serving the Indian community in the Southwest of Gauteng based in Lenasia. The station is a community of interest for Indian people as per the station’s broadcast licence that aims to connect to all the people living in its coverage area and beyond.

The station celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the community by featuring content that highlights different cultural traditions, practices, and events. Special shows, interviews, and features are dedicated to showcasing cultural festivals, heritage, music, and art. By doing so, East Wave Radio provides a platform for different cultural groups to share their information & perspectives, preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

East wave Radio Geographic Licence area is Lenasia in Southwest Gauteng. East wave Radio Broadcast languages are English – 60%, Tamil –15%, Hindu –15%, Gujerati –5% and Urdu–5%. Local News and Information is 102 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. East wave Radio Frequency is 90.7 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
Eastwave is a non-denominational not-for-profit station that promotes the community interest of Indians through broadcasting and flighting of developmental content in Gauteng and beyond.

Tshwane FM

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Tshwane FM

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Tshwane FM is a campus community radio station based at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria West. The objective of of the radio station is to broadcast to the community in the station’s broadcast area with honesty, loyalty and integrity; develop the skill and talent of station members in the broadcasting field; inform, educate and entertain listeners about issues, events and matters concerning them; be part of the force that is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing development in South Africa; keep in constant touch with the realities and expectations of our community; involve sections of the community who are under-represented in the existing broadcasting services; transmit programmes that will build and develop the community and to strive towards discouraging racism, sexism, and any other discriminatory behaviours.

The stations geographic licence areas are Tshwane University of Technology and its surrounding areas. Broadcast languages include English, Xhosa, Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi and isiZulu. Local news and information account for 20 minutes of the station’s daily content with 80% of South African music being aired per day.

TUT FM

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TUT FM

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The station is situated within the Tshwane University of Technology Soshanguve campus and broadcast at a 50km to the following areas Soshanguve, Mabopane, Garankuwa, Akasia, Winterveld, Hammanskraal, Pretoria CBD, Menlyn, Montana, Pretoria North and Atteridgeville. The station has been self-transmitting and on air for 29 years with 4 permanent staff members 26 volunteers that range from students to community members from the coverage areas mentioned above. TUT FM 96.2 targets listeners between the ages of 14 – 35 and prides itself with programming that addresses topical issued of local, regional and national interest such as health, crime government development programmes, disability and so on. Most of our programmes are of local origin and contribute to the development of society by using the airwaves to educate, inform and educate the community that we serve. TUT FM Geographic Licence area is Tshwane Metropolitan. TUT FM Broadcast languages are English – 30%, Tshivenda – 14%, Sepedi – 14%, Setswana – 14%, IsiXhosa –14 % and IsiZulu – 14%. Local News and Information 205 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 70%. TUT FM Frequency is 96.2 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To, inform/educate, employ and be a helping Hand to community.

Ngqushwa FM

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Ngqushwa FM

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Ngqushwa FM is a community radio station serving the villages in and around Peddie/Ngqushwa. Ngqushwa has between 118 and 125 villages with over 25 000 households. Over 80 % of these people are part of the ever-growing Ngqushwa FM audience. The station has been in existence since 2012 even though it was licensed in 2014, they took to air in May 2017.

Ngqushwa FM Geographic Licence area is Ngqushwa Local Municipality. Ngqushwa FM Broadcast languages are Xhosa 99%, Afrikaans –00.3% and English–00.7%. Local News and Information 60 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 60%. Ngqushwa FM Frequency is 99.5 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
The objective is to preserve and to promote the indigenous language spoken in the area, to provide airtime to the community to engage on matters that affect them, to raise awareness and encourage community participation in the topics that affects them, to utilise the OBE to visit places in the remote areas of Peddie.

Kouga Radio Station

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Kouga Radio Station

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Kouga FM is a community radio station serving the community of Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape. The station aims to enhance family values while serving as a platform for dialogue among community members and religious leaders. The station delivers its content in English, Afrikaans, and IsiXhosa which is a mixture of talk shows on current affairs, arts and religious matters. Kouga FM listeners tune to 99.9 FM to access their radio and via live streams worldwide through its website.

Kouga FM Geographic Licence area is West Rand (Kouga and KouKamma Local Municipalities). Kouga FM Broadcast languages are English – 8%, Afrikaans –75% and IsiXhosa –17%. Local News and Information 115 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Kouga FM Frequency is 99.9 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Kouga FM is a community radio that enhances family values, prides itself in building customs and at the centre of creating a platform for dialogue amongst religious and sectors of society.

Mdantsane FM

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Mdantsane FM

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Mdantsane FM is a community radio station serving the community of Mdantsane and the surrounding areas in several rural areas and the villages of Bisho and King Williams Town. The project has facilitated several outreach programmes in King Williams Town because of the community over there needing their station closer to their homes. In this respect, Mdantsane FM has secured the new premises in King Williams Town to quench this demand. The on-air studio the project is requesting seeks to serve this demand by their listeners. In addition to this single studio the project is requesting a rental of the new premises in King Williams Town. This will serve as a satellite broadcast station for this community. The total population of Mdantsane is estimated to over 160 000 and the total population of King Wiliams Town is estimated to about 35 000.

Mdantsane FM Geographic Licence area is Buffalo City Municipality (Great Kei, Amahlathi and Ngqushwa area). Mdantsane FM Broadcast languages are IsiXhosa 60%, English 40%. Local News and Information 60 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Mdantsane FM Frequency is 89.5 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To be one of the recognised and credible sources of community development that empowers the youth and adults through our social and economic development content and community projects within Buffalo City Metro Municipality and beyond. Through forging community partnership with community-based organisations and local businesses.

Rhodes Music Radio

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Rhodes Music Radio

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Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) is a campus-based community radio station located in the heart of Rhodes University Grahamstown, South Africa. RMR was founded in 1981; the station was the first campus-based station to be licensed to broadcast legally. RMR is a youth lifestyle radio station and provides programming that is entertaining, experimental and is informative.

The station’s frequency is 89.7 FM Here listeners can also access the podcasts of the station’s main shows and learn more about the events sponsored and supported by it.

Rhodes Music Radio Geographic Licence area is Rhodes University campus and 50 km radius in Makhanda. Rhodes Music Radio Broadcast languages are English – 60%, Afrikaans –10% and IsiXhosa–30%. Local News and Information 25 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Rhodes Music Radio Frequency is 89.7 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To provide its community a professional broadcasting service; development of a culture of critical and constructive debate to educate and empower community through shows like talk, public service, and accountability show; provision of news for an informed community and give platform to air views.

Ulwazi FM

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Ulwazi FM

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Ulwazi FM is a community radio that serves the De Aar, Pixley Ka Seme Region in the Northern Cape. The station’s mission is “to inform, educate and entertain” through effective and efficient broadcasting. The 41 MDDA ANNUAL REPORT station is based in the centre of Nonzwakazi township, the largest town in Pixley ka Seme. There has been an increase in De Aar’s population, urbanization being spurred on with the majority of the population still trapped in the vicious circle of poverty. Unemployment in the district remains high with a highly unskilled population.

Through Ulwazi’s programming and community activities, the station seeks to inform, entertain and unite communities across the Pixley ka Seme District. The recognizes and encourages diversity in all its forms, through programming and access to the facilities of the station.

Ulwazi FM Geographic Licence area is Pixley ka Seme District. Ulwazi FM Broadcast languages are IsiXhosa – 50%, Afrikaans –20%, English –20% and SeTswana –10%. Local News and Information 40 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Ulwazi FM Frequency is 88.9 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
Ulwazi FM objective is to reflect the diversity and views of the listeners of Pixley ka Seme District through the station’s programming. The station has over the years complied with its license conditions through interaction between with the community by producing programmes that are relevant to its target audience and to the De Aar community and surrounding areas. To improve and promote community participation and to provide quality programming.

Radio Riverside

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Radio Riverside

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Radio Riverside is a community broadcasting in a radius of +- 110km to towns in and around Upington daily. The station broadcasts in Afrikaans 60%, English 20%, IsiXhosa 15% and Setswana 5%. The project currently has 92 000 weekly cumulated listenership.

Radio Riverside scooped multiple PMR awards as the best rated station in the Northern Cape Province, other awards with MTN Radio Awards, and multiple awards with MDDA/Sanlam Community Media Awards including Rantho Letsebe Award and Best Community Radio Station Award.

The station is on-air for 24 hours a day, seven day-a-week. The board is elected at the elective Annual General Meeting by the community through community organisations. An elective AGM is held every 4 years and reporting AGMs in between the elective AGMs. Our studios are based in the Upington town and easily accessible to the different townships around Upington. station has a good reputation, excellent people, and a steady position in the local market.

Objectives
• Improve our Sustainability.
• Enhance Operational Excellence/ Organisational systems.
• Develop our workforce /HR Development
• Ensure Community Participation/Compliance

Qwa-Qwa FM

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Qwa-Qwa FM

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The station was established in 2006 registered as an NPO with the Department of Social Development. Qwaqwa Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day. The station has been playing a significant role in raising the voice, thoughts and challenges to the community of Thabo Mofutsanyane District who have little to no access to mainstream media.

Qwaqwa Radio is a media platform that gives listeners latest news, information and entertainment for all age groups. The station is based in Witsieshoek, Qwaqwa.

Qwaqwa Radio Geographic Licence area is Thabo Mofutsanyana District. Qwaqwa Radio Broadcast languages are English – 44% and Sesotho–56%. Local News and Information 108 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 80%. Qwaqwa Radio Frequency is 87.6-100.3 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
• To strengthen station’s role as an essential local and regional content provider and support initiatives that enable the station to respond to and reflect the diversity of its communities through the content and personnel.
• To facilitate the distribution of high-quality content, including news and information that is fair and balanced.

CUT FM

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CUT FM

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CUT FM was first broadcast licence by ICASA on the 8th of September 2014 ICASA. The station covers the whole of Bloemfontein and its surrounding towns as far as 120 km to 150 km. Its target audience is from 15 to 35 years old targeting scholars, students and young working adults. Its programming is Urban Youth Radio with content covering topics, issues and news concerning the youth.

CUT FM Geographic Licence area is Mangaung, Bloemfontein in Free Steta.. CUT FM Broadcast languages are English – 60%, Afrikaans – 10% and Sesotho – 30%. Local News and Information is 60 minutes per day. South African Music Content is 70%. CUT FM Frequency is 96.2 FM. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
CUT FM is a campus radio station of the Central University of Technology (CUT). It broadcasts from the campus across Bloemfontein. It is operated by university students and Mangaung community members and broadcasts in English (60%), Sesotho (30%) and Afrikaans (10%). Its line-up includes various music shows that accept music submissions from local artists as a way to support their work. The station provides coverage of sports, social and cultural events in Bloemfontein.

Univen FM

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Univen FM

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Univen FM started operating on 05 September 1997. The Community Radio Station is in Thohoyandou at the Thulamela Municipality. The Station’s broadcasting radius covers the Vhembe and Mopani District municipality, Mutale local municipality, North of Kruger National Park on the eastern side, Greater Giyani municipality area and Makhado local municipality in the South, Western and Northern parts. In its 25 years of existence.

Univen Community Radio was founded and initiated by the University of Venda to provide a community broadcasting service to the University community inclusive of students and staff and surrounding community members to. The station focuses on broadcasting and reporting issues around economic development, politics and social aspects such as education, sport, health, fashion and entertainment in the Vhembe District Municipality. Univen FM Geographic Licence area is University of Venda and surrounding area in Limpopo. Univen FM Broadcast languages are English 40%, Tshivenda 35%, Xitsonga 15%, and Sepedi 10%. South African Music Content is 70%. Univen FM Frequency is 99.8 Mhz. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
• To provide quality on-air programming that is both informative and educational to the community around Vhembe district municipality Limpopo province.
• To offer a very diverse and comprehensive content to our listeners through on-air programming content.

Radio Turf

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Radio Turf

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Radio Turf is a campus-based media house, operating at University of Limpopo and mainly serving the student community as well as the surrounding villages and Mankweng township. The radio serves as a training institution for the media students at the university and its content is informed by the campus student environment, with specific programmes targeting young people at all spheres of life. That is, the radio also collaborates with social partners to focus on specific content targeted at youth, e.g., HIV/AIDS, genderbased violence and other health awareness issues.

Radio Turf Geographic Licence area is University of Limpopo and surrounding in the Capricorn District. Radio Turf Broadcast languages are Sepedi 60% and English 40%. Local News and Information the licensee shall broadcast a total seventy five (75) minutes of news per day, of which twenty (20) minutes shall be local news, forty five (45) minutes shall be national and ten (10) minutes shall be international. South African Music Content is 70%. Radio Turf Frequency is 103,8Mhz. It is broadcast 24 hours a day.

Objectives
To maintain community broadcasting services which strives to meet the information, education and entertainment need of our community.

Forte Community Radio

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Forte Community Radio

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Forte FM is a vibrant community radio station based in Alice, located at the University of Fort Hare (Amathole District, Eastern Cape). It originated as a campus-based station in the early 2000s and expanded to serve the broader local community. It was licensed by ICASA in 2005.

The station’s broadcast format is a mix of talk, news, and diverse music with a heavy focus on local issues, culture, and empowerment. It broadcasts in 75% IsiXhosa, 20% English and 5% Afrikaans.

Forte FM was approved for R 2 228 000.00 to cover capital expenditure and administration costs.

Ikhala FM

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Ikhala FM

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Ikhala Community Radio Station is a newly established community radio service based in Cookhouse, within the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality under the Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province.

The station has been on-air for only three months and serves the geographical area covering Cookhouse, Pearston, and Somerset East. Ikhala FM holds an ICASA community broadcast licence which will expire on 10 August 2030.

Alfred Nzo

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Alfred Nzo

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Alfred Nzo Community Radio (ANCR) is a non-profit company established in 2007 to serve as a community sound broadcasting service for the Alfred Nzo District, covering Umzimvubu, Matatiele, Ntabankulu, Mbizana, and surrounding areas. The station is committed to unity, nonracialism, and non-sexist broadcasting values and engages with stakeholders on social, cultural, and interfaith levels.

The station broadcasts in isiXhosa – 60%, English – 15%, Sesotho – 10%, isiZulu – 10%, and 5% shared among isiBhaca, isiHlubi, isiXesibe, isiPhuthi. The MDDA has approved R 1 945 000.00 in grant funding for studio upgrades and administrative costs to support the station’s growth and community service.

Ekhephini FM

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Ekhephini FM

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Ekhephini FM is a community radio station based in Barkley East, operating under the Senqu Local Municipality in the Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape. Founded by community members in 2005 and licensed by ICASA in 2006, it is a registered NPC governed by a board elected every 3 years. The station provides informative, educational, and entertaining programming focused on social development issues like crime, unemployment, and underdevelopment.

Its broadcast format is 70% talk and 30% music, and the broadcast languages are IsiXhosa 70%, English 5%, Sesotho 20% and Afrikaans 5%. The station was approved for R 1 951 600 to cover content production, training, capital expenditure and administration fees.

Mbhashe FM

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Mbhashe FM

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The station is a new 24-hour community station in the Amathole District, broadcasting mainly in isiXhosa with strong emphasis on talk content and South African music. Despite operating from a rural village with makeshift equipment, it has quickly attracted community interest.

Mbashe FM’s Broadcast Languages are isiXhosa – 95%, and English – 5%. The station was approved for R 2,705 000.00 to improve studios, transmission, programming, and administration.

919 FM

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919 FM

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919 FM is a community radio station registered as a nonprofit company (NPC). The station is based in Gauteng and was created by the Gauteng Media Development Project NPC to service the community in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs and surrounding areas and has been in existence since 1 July 2021.

The station broadcasts in English with a transmitter that is located in Bryanston, and a footprint that extends from Soweto, across the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, to OR Tambo. Its focus is on a can-do, upbeat mindset, and the power of music to make listeners feel good.

919 FM’s broadcast format is 30% talk and 70% music, with 80% of it being local music content. The station was supported for an amount of R 1 017 000.00 for content production, capital expenditure and transmitter.

Mams Radio

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Mams Radio

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Mams Radio broadcasts around City of Tshwane, Gauteng Province – specifically Mamelodi and Eesterust. It was launched on 11 April 2011 to inform, educate, and provide quality entertainment that promotes a positive lifestyle.

It follows an adult contemporary format with a music mix from the 90s–2000s (R&B, Soul, Kwaito, House) and covers relevant stories to engage both youth and older audiences. Its vision is to be a leading, credible community voice, promoting innovation, local talent development, and media training. It broadcasts in English – 30%, Setswana/Sepedi – 30%, isiNdebele – 10%, XiTsonga – 10%, Mamelodi Lingo – 10%, and Afrikaans – 10%

The station was approved for R 2 075 000.00 for administration fees, transmission fees, and capital expenditure.

Tuks FM

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Tuks FM

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Tuks FM, based at the University of Pretoria, broadcasts to the Greater Tshwane area with a youth-focused edutainment format. Recently licensed in April 2023, the station operates primarily in English and Afrikaans, with the language split of 80% English and 20% Afrikaans.

Tuks FM is supported by a large volunteer base. It was approved for R 1 900 000.00 to cover upgrades to its outdated studio equipment as part of capital expenditure improvements.

Pheli FM

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Pheli FM

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Pheli FM is a community-driven station in Atteridgeville, Gauteng, focused on using radio to address pressing social issues and uplift the township. Broadcasting evenly in four languages, it delivers a mix of 40% talk and 60% music while offering extensive local news coverage. The MDDA approved R 2 089 000.00 in funding for studio upgrades and rental costs to strengthen the station’s operational and broadcasting capacity.

Poort FM

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Poort FM

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Poort FM is a Pretoria-based community station licensed in 2022, broadcasting mainly in English and Afrikaans. The broadcast language split is 70% English and 30% Afrikaans. It offers a wide range of programming and invests in local talent development. Facing challenges with outdated broadcasting equipment, it secured R 2 075 000.00 in MDDA funding to modernise studios and cover administrative costs.

Nongoma Community Radio

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Nongoma Community Radio

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Nongoma FM is a vibrant youth-driven community radio station serving the rural Nongoma area in KwaZulu-Natal. Licensed in 2023, it broadcasts in IsiZulu and English with a 55% talk and 45% music format. The station addresses a lack of local media by providing reliable community information and youth-focused content, both on-air and through a large social media following. For its latest funding round, the MDDA approved R 1 604 312.00 to support programming, operational costs, transmission, and studio equipment.

Vibe FM

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Vibe FM

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Vibe FM is a community radio station based in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. The station was licensed by ICASA as part of a group of 15 identified community radio frequencies in the nodal development point areas throughout the country. These community radio stations were licensed to enhance the government programme, Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Plan (strategy) to ensure that certain areas based in remote rural and urban centres are prioritised for development.

Vibe FM broadcasts in 60% isiZulu and 40% English. It was approved for R 1 301 548.00 to cover Capital expenditure, Transmission fees & Administration costs. It previously benefited from MDDA funding in 2012 & 2020.

Abaqulusi Community Radio Station

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Abaqulusi Community Radio Station

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Abaqulusi Community Radio Station, 90.7 FM, is located in the heart of Vryheid, Mzinyathi district in Abaqulusi Local Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. The station actively promotes local arts and culture through informative programming that celebrates the community’s creativity and heritage.

It was conceptualised in the early 2000s and formally registered as a non-profit organisation in 2013 under the NPO and Social Development Act of 1997. The station was established to address the lack of representation of community issues and voices in mainstream media. Abaqulusi community radio broadcasts in English 3%, isiZulu 93% and Afrikaans 4%, and plays 80% local music. It was approved for R933 000.00 to go towards content production, capital expenditure, transmission fees and administration fees.

Midlands FM

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Midlands FM

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Midlands 104 FM is operated by Mpumelelo Sport and Cultural Experience. The station has been active since 2016 and was licensed by ICASA on 31 August 2023 to provide community-sound broadcasting in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal. The station is governed by a skilled board with expertise in media, law, business development, accountancy, community development, and fundraising, with 50% women and 20% youth representation. Midlands 104 FM aims to be more than a broadcaster — it promotes community participation in programme creation, skills transfer to youth and women, and coverage of local culture, arts, education, and information. The station has also been granted an ECNS licence to self-distribute its signal and broadcasts in isiZulu – 80%, English – 15%, Afrikaans – 5%.

The station was approved for R 2 745 000.00 for administration, transmission, and capital expenditure (including studios, transmission equipment, laptops, desktops, inverter, and OBE).

Radio Khwezi

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Radio Khwezi

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Radio Khwezi, founded in 2009 in Umzinyathi, KwaZulu- Natal, reaches rural communities across eight municipal areas. These are: Kranskop, Ndwendwe, Maphumulo, Msinga, Nkandla, Lower Tugela, Lower Mfolozi and Umvoti.

Radio Khwezi broadcasts in IsiZulu 80%, English 20%, with an hour in Afrikaans and an hour in German daily. The station focuses on talk and music programming that educates, empowers, and uplifts. The station was approved for R 1 318 928.00 to cover transmission fees and a new production studio.

UGU Youth Radio

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UGU Youth Radio

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Ugu Youth Radio, founded in 2010 in Port Shepstone, is a youth-driven community broadcaster licensed to serve the Ugu District. The station broadcasts in English 20%, IsiZulu 75% and IsiXhosa 5%. The station’s content is aimed at community development, youth empowerment, and cultural promotion.

It was approved for R906,000 to cover Sentech transmission costs and capital upgrades, following previous funding in 2012 and 2018.

Maputaland Community Radio

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Maputaland Community Radio

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The station serves one of the most remote and underserved regions in KwaZulu-Natal, providing vital news, information, and cultural content to Ubombo, Ingwavuma, and surrounding areas. Broadcasting mainly in IsiZulu, the station plays a key role in community development and public participation. Despite significant outreach efforts, it faces financial challenges due to limited local revenue generation and rural infrastructure constraints. It was approved for R812 000 to support programming, operations, transmission costs, and the purchase of a power backup system to sustain outreach in areas without electricity.

Mohodi Community Radio Station

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Mohodi Community Radio Station

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Mohodi Community Radio is incorporated as a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in the Manthata Village in Limpopo. Its main aim is to educate and inform listeners about their rights through quality programming and playing an advocacy role on behalf of the community by reporting on issues such as poverty alleviation and fighting the scourge of genderbased violence.

The station was licensed in 2000 and broadcasts 100% in Setswana. It was approved for R400 000.00 to cover content production.

Moletsi Community Radio

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Moletsi Community Radio

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Moletsi FM is incorporated as a non-profit organisation based in Limpopo Province. This is one of the few community radio stations led by a woman. The station started in a small studio and now it owns a big structure with the intention of venturing into television as well and has managed to install a signal tower within its premises.

Moletsi FM was initiated in 1997, and it operates from Moletsi village outside the city, and it broadcasts in 80% Sepedi, 10% English, 5% Tshivenda and 5% Xitsonga.

The station’s funding history with the MDDA spans the following years: 2009, 2011, 2016, 2020 and 2022. It was approved for R732 00.00 to cover content production and capital expenditure.

Ligwa Community Radio Station

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Ligwa Community Radio Station

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Ligwa Community Radio was licensed in 2018 to cover the entire District Municipality of Gert Sibande. The station broadcasts in the following languages: IsiSwati 20%, IsiNdebele 20%, IsiZulu 20%, Sesotho 15%, English 15% and Afrikaans 10%. At the heart of the station is development of the area and empowerment through the airwaves. The station targets the whole family with its quality and relevant content.

The station’s broadcast format is 60% talk and 40% music. It was approved for R852 000.00 to cover content production and capital expenditure.

Kanyamazane Community Radio NPC

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Kanyamazane Community Radio NPC

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Kanyamazane CR is a community radio station based in Kanyamazane, in Nelspruit in the Ehlanzeni District Municipality. The station was formed in 1998 and went on air in 2010. The station provides services to inform, educate and entertain the surrounding community of the Ehlanzeni district, specifically the Kanyamazane area as per the geographic ICASA licence.

The station’s broadcast format is 50% talk and 50% Music. It broadcasts in SiSwati 65%, 15% IsiZulu, 15% English and 5% Township Lingo. It was approved for R400 000.00 to cover programme production, administration, codecs, back up batteries.

Ratlou FM

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Ratlou FM

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Madibogo Community Radio Station, otherwise known as Ratlou FM, was licensed in March 2023 and broadcasts on 100.4 FM, predominantly in Setswana (75%) as well as Sesotho (15%), English (10%), and IsiXhosa (5%).

Ratlou FM serves the rural Ratlou Local Municipality in North West province and aims to educate, inform, and empower its listeners through diverse cultural and current affairs programming. The station was approved for R 2 345 000.00 to support its operations, infrastructure, and content production.

Aganang Community Radio Station

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Aganang Community Radio Station

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Aganang FM is a community radio station licensed by ICASA. It was first licensed in 2015, and has been on air for 10 years, serving the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in North West Province. The station has received three rounds of funding from the MDDA.

The station’s languages of broadcast are: Seswati – 44%, Afrikaans – 29%, Sesotho – 12%, IsiXhosa – 11%, and other languages – 4%. Aganang FM was approved for R962,000.00 to go towards, content production, administration costs, and transmission costs.

Star FM

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Star FM

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Star FM is a North West-based community radio station serving Stilfontein and surrounding towns, it broadcasts in five languages, SeTswana 30%, SeSotho 20%, IsiXhosa 20%, English 20% and Afrikaans 10%.

Star FM was founded in 2015 and operates rent-free in exchange for airtime. The station focuses on reducing cultural stereotypes, delivering truthful news, and providing a platform for community voices. It has a talk-heavy format and a strong commitment to local music. It plays a vital role in the region’s information ecosystem and was approved for R2 075 000.00 to cover capital upgrades, including new studios and equipment, marking its first funding since 2012.

Radio Teemaneng

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Radio Teemaneng

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Radio Teemaneng is a community radio station serving Kimberley and surrounding towns (Barkley West, Warrenton, Danielskuil, Ritchie, and Windsorton) in the Northern Cape’s Diamond Region. Licensed by ICASA, the station has been on air for 30 years, aiming to “inform, educate and entertain” while promoting diversity through multilingual programming and community access.

Radio Teemaneng’s broadcasts in English 40%, Setswana 30%, Afrikaans 20%, IsiXhosa 10%. It was approved for R2 298 000.00 to cover capital expenditure.

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