Sunday Tribune

Station a boost for Tamil culture

TASCHICA PILLAY taschica.pillay@inl.co.za

FRIDAY became a historical day for the local South Indian community when Southside FM went live on 107.2FM, after more than a decade of challenges.

The community radio station is mandated to play Tamil, Telugu, English, and isizulu music with value-added content to the wider South African community.

The station, which reaches as far as Port Shepstone on the south coast and Kwadukuza up north and inland to Howick and Ixopo, as well as via live stream, was conceptualised in 2009.

It was to provide Tamil and Telegu content that was lacking in the community.

Political activist, the late Swaminathan Gounden, cultural leader, the late Balan Gounden and journalist Subry Govender had initially spearheaded the initiative for the radio station. They were assisted by the late Roy Padayachie, who was then Minister of Public Service and Administration.

Sally Mudly Padayachie, chairperson of the Southside FM board, said it was a very exciting time and proud moment for all South Africans of south Indian descent.

“We encountered a number of challenges. We had the licence when my late husband Roy Padayachie was alive, but the frequency was a problem. We are glad we were able to deliver on our mandate to our people. We also remember those people who assisted us and those who had passed on.

“We want the station to be interactive and proactive with the community. The success of a radio station depends on the listenership. Radio stations beside being entertaining it has got be news related and all-encompassing,”

she said.

Padayachie said one of their challenges was finding a place for their studio.

“None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors. Our major donor, Logan Naidoo, came to our rescue by offering space at his offices in Musgrave and funded the entire project. Our financial strategist Mahen Moodley's major contribution in the financial operations helped to fast track the process,” she said.

Dinesh Naidoo, Southside FM head of operations, said after a number of stumbling blocks, like getting a frequency,

it was a great feeling to go live on air.

He said their focus would be Tamil and Telegu music.

“We will now and again play English and isizulu music. We live in a socially cohesive society so we need to mix our cultures. We trying to build rather than divide. Although we are community based we want the station output quality to be on par with a commercial radio station.”

Welcoming the launch of Southside FM was Morgan Govindasami, deputy president to the Tamil Federation Kwazulu-natal.

“We can only wish the station all the best going forward. It has been long overdue. This station will help us to enhance the propagation of the Tamil language and culture. This medium is more accessible and will reach the younger generation,” said Govindasami.

Returning to the airwaves tomorrow is former Lotus FM presenter Lloyd Paul who will host the Drive Show from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Paul, who spent over 16 years at Lotus FM, left the Official Drive at the end of March.

Paul said he was very excited and looking forward to being part of history in the making.

“I am bringing my years of experience to Southside FM. I am looking forward to the right energy and positivity. The system is state of the art. It's one of the best in the country that I've worked on in the last couple of years. I am looking forward to using that kind of technology which is key to what's happening with broadcasting and the landscape of radio has changed in the last few years, going digital.

“The show will be informative, entertaining, educational. A nice blend of edutainment from current news, sport to the best in south music genres. I will bring some South African flavour by bringing some of the South African Indian artists to the fore. I want to make the drive home much more pleasurable,” said Paul.

Southside FM’S line-up also includes Meshantan Naidoo and Revathi Pillay on the Big Breakfast Show daily from 6am to 9am, followed by Vijay Balakrishna from 9am to 12 on The Brunch Vibe.

Jayendran Kandasamy will host the Lunchtime Show from 12 to 3pm.

Darshni Pather and Devasree Govender will host D-squared Ponnu’s, a talk show, from 6pm to 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On a Thursday this slot will have Trip to Shirdi with Pillay.

On Saturday between 12 to 3pm there will be the Top 20 Telegu with Archana Sridhar and Elvin Tagat and on Sunday at the same time is Top 20 Tamil hosted by Devan Nair.

Naidoo said having Paul join the community station was a major win.

“Most of our presenters are also performers. Every night between 8pm to 10pm we will play golden oldies and from 4am to 6am there will be devotional. Until we build the station we will be playing music at night.”

HERALD

en-za

2022-05-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-15T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://sundaytribune.pressreader.com/article/281715503215188

African News Agency