Airwaves go silent for Ekurhuleni FM
The radio station known and loved by all will stop broadcasting after 29 years.
Ekurhuleni FM has notified the community and its listeners of the closure of the station with effect from March 2 at 23:59.
The station, with the frequency 93.9FM, has been broadcasting since October 1995. Station manager Hantie van Vuuren talks about the heartbreaking news of its closure.
“I still can’t believe it and I am still in shock,” Hantie said.
Hanti, who has been with the radio station for nine years, says the station still has a place in the heart of Ekurhuleni.
“When Ekurhuleni FM first started as a Christian radio station, its core was to spread the word of God.”
This became especially important when Covid hit and people could not go to church.
“Even when Covid ended, most people did not go back to church. We stayed informative and provided uplifting programming.”
She adds proudly how the station has helped many NPOs over the course of the years.
“We helped bring exposure to a lot of their initiatives and it breaks my heart to know they won’t have another station to help them. I believe in my heart that Ekurhuleni FM is the best community radio station in Ekurhuleni.”
She also laments at the loss of jobs with the station’s closure.
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“My heart breaks for those who have lost their jobs due to this situation. I don’t sleep at night wondering what will become of them.”
Hantie extended her gratitude to everyone.
“Thank you to our advertisers who have always supported us. To the listeners, we thank you, because without you we would not be.
“To the board members, we have had our ups-and-downs but we survived.”
She takes pride in knowing that Ekurhuleni opened doors for some to go to bigger radio stations.
“We were the stepping stones for their growth.”
