Glenwood resident toys with community radio station idea

A GLENWOOD resident, who has a passion for radio is testing the waters regarding the establishment of a local community station.

Graham Robjant said he wanted to get feedback from the community before approaching ICASA for a licence, and encouraged the public to respond.

“I have always loved radio. Many years ago in the late eighties I worked for Capital Radio when it was still on the beachfront, and in the early 80s I worked as an announcer for Radio 702. Later on in the 80s and into the early 90s I worked as a DJ at the Lonsdale Hotel. This was in the days of the Gunston 500, and people used to come through from the beach. I have always been involved in electronics, that is my trade, but I am a people person and love talking to people,” he said.

Graham said the idea to start a community radio station came about after a recent visit to Tafta.

He said he felt a lot of the elderly would enjoy being able to sit and listen to the radio, to music they enjoy.

“I asked how many of the residents had transistor radios and they were very excited at the idea. They said they would love to be able to turn on the radio and listen to the good old music that isn’t played on the radio anymore,” he said.

Graham said his idea would be to start in the morning with a surf report and then a crime round-up from the day or night before with Heather Roos from the Umbilo CPF.

He would also encourage people to call or send messages regarding the traffic and any information which could assist people driving to work.

“I have contacted the Sharks Board to find out if they would be interested in having an insert on marine life and I have spoken to the SPCA about advertising pets that need homes on the radio, which they were very keen to do,” he said.

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Graham said he would also like to promote small local business, church and school activities, and arts, theatre and entertainment, to promote any events happening over the week ahead.

“And of course, I would love to play some local and mainly international music, the good old tracks that take people back to the old days, along with radio plays and radio dramas. I will also speak on my speciality, sustainable energy and living off the grid. As I live off the grid, even if there is load shedding, the station would keep broadcasting,” he said.

As this would be a non-profit radio station, any funds to sponsor advertising would go into a kitty to be used in the community, such as by the CPF for radios and so on.

Graham said at the moment he was trying to find out whether the Glenwood community would be interested in a community radio station, and was also speaking to people he knew in radio for advice.

“I would not be in this for myself, but for the community, but I would be doing something that I love! Coverage wise, I would like to cover Glenwood, Glenmore, Berea, Musgrave and the Bluff, and I would call the station Deevee8,” he said.

The public can respond to Graham via WhatsApp or text on 079 942 6973 or email: grahamrobjant@gmail.com.

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