It is very easy to start a community radio station but difficult to sustain it.
This is because it’s not easy to attract advertisers and sponsors.
Without advertisers, it’s difficult to run a radio station. Hence, many come and go.
In Kagiso, there is one community radio station but it covers the West Rand region, although not all areas. That’s why it’s called Westside FM.
It also has other wings such as Westside TV. The station was founded by Goodhope Ledwaba.
Ledwaba started and has worked hard to build the station. It has stood the test of time and is now a brand.
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Westside FM has trained and groomed journalists and radio broadcasters.
Mpho Khiba is one of them. When he left the community radio, Khiba joined the biggest daily newspaper Daily Sun and then later, e.tv.
When violence broke out in KZN and Gauteng over a month ago, Westside FM was vandalised, and its computers stolen. The station had to close down for a couple of days. With the help of others, it was back on air again after buying computers and other equipment. That was a relief for the community.
Last week, the station was robbed at gunpoint. Fortunately, no one was hurt but computers and other equipment were stolen and now the station is off again.
- Thabile Mange
