The new radio station on the block, Giyani Community Radio, or GCR FM as they are popularly known, brings a breath of fresh air to the residents living in and around Giyani, who have waited so long for a community radio station.
The station first went on air on 18 April. GCR FM has already become very popular with the listeners.
The station's manager, Mr Prenomen Chabani, indicated that, even during their first days on air, they didn’t have that many challenges from the community because they had done marketing and market evaluation very well through community-level campaigns.
“Our challenge for now is the delay from SAARF (South African Audience Research Foundation) to supply listenership figures (rams) for our station,” he said. “Some businesses want to see the rams before they advertise with us.”
GCR FM contributes to community development by addressing community, national and global issues. It also addresses challenges facing local communities and informs listeners on available opportunities in a variety of fields.
“The station ensures that individuals in these communities have access to knowledge that empowers them to live lives that are based on fundamental human values,” said Chabani. “GCR will showcase a unique community radio model of civil society leadership in terms of corporate governance and community broadcasting service.”
They also make sure that they reach and interact with the communities through outreach campaigns. “We are currently running what we call the GCR Care Campaign, where we visit needy families,” he explains. “We give them support by spending the whole day cleaning and eating with them and we give them food and clothes from our sponsors.”
The radio station uses xiTsonga (50%), Tshivenda (20%), sePedi (20%) and English (10%).
Listeners can catch up with GCR FM on 106.0 MHz or at their website, www.gcrfm.co.za. The station's facebook page always provides an audio-streaming link where listeners can access the broadcast.
Their daily programmes are: 06:00-09:00: Avuxeni Breakfast show; 09:00-12:00: Mid-Morning Life; 12:00-15:00: GCR Talk; 15:00-18:00: Bumper to bumper afternoon drive; 18:00-19:00 Ta Muganga-Current Affairs; 19:00-20:00 Sport Ville; 20:00-22:00: Ahi Chongoleni-Xitsonga Music; 20:00-21:00 Makomba Ndlela; 21:00-22:00 Hlalala; 22:00-00:00 Tale Mbilwini, 00:00-03:00 Soulful Night, and 03:00-06:00 Morning Bird.
