It’s only a matter of months before Ukhahlamba Community radio station 89.9fm is launched.
This means that communities in and around Estcourt and the greater Okhahlamba areas may have their very own community radio station by early next year.
The board members whose brainchild this has been for the past years held their Annual General Meeting on Saturday at the Estcourt Town Hall side hall.
The board comprises of 13 members, seven of whom are from Estcourt, four from Johannesburg and two from Durban.
Saturday’s meeting was well attended and a new Executive Committee was elected.
They are Chairperson Sifiso Khanyeza, Deputy Chairperson July Khoza, Secretary Vukile Mhlanga, Deputy Secretary Sifiso Kuda, Treasurer Khulelani Makhanya and Co-ordinator Patrick Modikoe.
Also on the agenda were discussions about the progress of the radio station, plans for the future, fundraising strategies and the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer and Project Manager.
Board members say that thus far a spectrum licence has been received.
This is an interim licence until they receive their service licence.
Although this service licence was promised to be delivered within 14 days, ICASA authorities have not delivered.
The members say they will wait for another seven days before convening a meeting with the ICASA Chairman. They are anticipating launching the radio station on January 5, 2015 and operating studios, a website and marketing was also discussed at the AGM.
The board members hold monthly meetings and have set up a task team made up of five members who keep track of plans and report on the progress.
They are looking for reputable donors and anyone willing to assist can contact the Chairperson Mr Khanyeza on 061 014 0298.