Siphelele Nketo
THIS year’s 17th birthday celebration for Inkonjane Community Radio will recognise individuals who played a remarkable role in the development of the Flagstaff-based radio station.
Since it was founded on April 20, 2009, the radio station has been delivering programming content that is a mix of talk and music to benefit a variety of rural communities in the OR Tambo region.
Apart from good quality content, the station has assisted a number of needy families by building homes for disadvantaged families and sometimes donating food parcels.
According to station manager Simbongile Mbo, Inkonjane Community Radio has won a number of awards, from local to national, for its unique content that continues to inspire communities. Mbo said it serves as an important platform for local voices, storytelling and community development with programming mainly focused on the local interest.
“The radio station has trained over 1 200 students from institutions across South Africa in their fields of study. It also produced a number of broadcasters that have since joined national departments and media institutions,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the radio station provides its content in IsiMpondo (70%), English (10%) and IsiXhosa (20%).
“The fact that the radio station remains on air after 17 years is a huge milestone as some community radio stations have since been closed due to challenges,” he elaborated. He also commended the station’s good governance.
To mark 17 years of success, a ceremony to honour key role players will be held on Saturday, April 25, in Flagstaff. On the same day, the radio station will also host a beauty pageant for the Miss IFM 2026, which is themed: Voices Building Communities.
The day’s programmes will begin at 9am with performances, awards and guest speakers. Marketing and communication officer for Inkonjane Community Radio Amahle Mbangatha said that this year’s celebrations will highlight the station’s journey and impact over the past 17 years.
She said the radio station did not celebrate its anniversary last year, hence this year management has added a beauty pageant to empower young women while celebrating beauty with purpose.
She said the pageant forms part of promoting confidence, leadership and community involvement.
She added that this year’s anniversary celebrations will reflect on legacy, and also looks forward to the future of continued growth and impact of the station.
