Empowering communities, young people and women through the media

Thandeka Ngobese: Station Manger Inanda 88.4 FM.

Thandeka Ngobese is the Station Manager for one prominent community radio station in KZN, Inanda 88.4 FM.

The station is broadcasting programmes that deal with the daily challenges facing women, youth, children, people with disabilities and the community at large. These programmes look from the angle of how the INK Urban Renewal Node implementation is addressing these issues. The focus of the programmes is on ensuing that opportunities due to the community are given prominence through the airwaves.

The station maintain strong relationships with the local government and more especially the Area Based Management of INK (Inanda, Ntuzuma, Kwa-Mashu), which deals with developmental issues in the area which falls directly on our mandate to broadcast.  The station ensures that its programmes are aligned with those of the national and local government, and how these impact on the grassroots communities.

Primary Mandate

To inform the society of what is happening around their area, province, nationally and globally on the issues that concern the community within INK area, such as social ills, service delivery and human development through broadcasting relevant programs.

The project serve as a source for the Commercial and Public Broadcasters for news and also for the presenters, news people and producers. It is also a valuable provider of radio skills to volunteers and to young and ambitious youth of INK Area.

The station is in a rural area namely INK – Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu which means these areas are faced with many challenges, thus I reach many communities through radio airwaves, addressing social issues including unemployment, health, education, local economy and politics. Main focus on community programmes is on the reduction of discrimination and stigmatisation – TB, HIV/AIDS, GBV, Disabled and LGBTQI.

I am involved in organisation’s programmes that aimed at ensuring that school children in INK area are kept in schools and provided with necessary needs such as school uniforms and food. Also she has been instrumental in encouraging unity among religious organisations around INK area. We work very closely with Nazareth Baptist Church, which is famously known as kwaShembe.

Relationship with DDP

The mandate for DDP talk to the objectives of the organisation Inanda FM. The relationship that we have with DDP comes a long way when I was still the Chairperson of the Provincial NCRF. From time to time I would attend progressive, insightful and impressive seminar and dialogues aimed at community development coordinated by DDP. This has helped me a lot as a woman in Leadership.

Currently, our relationship goes beyond meetings, workshops and seminar as we host DDP discussions and interviews on air in an effort to develop the same community we serve. This is beneficial to both organisations.

What does women month mean to you?  

This month means so many things to me, some being that I have to stand up and do something that the next generation can be proud of, just like the women of 1956. It is a constant reminder to get onto action in pursuit of women emancipation in all spheres mostly in economy. Also an opportunity to re/shape the political agenda & challenge socialization (old school).  It is a month which we collectively name grievances, make public claims, disseminate facts and values, and stand up for many kinds of women’s rights

Why is celebrating women’s month important to you?

It is a day for celebrating feminist achievements, and a chance to display the scope of the women’s movement. The protest march is the culmination of struggles and cooperation, and a celebration of feminist activism. It also serve as a mirror to look back where we have been and where we are heading. It gives us a chance to reflect, refocus and rebuild.

What concerns you the most about politics in South Africa?

Corruption is my main concern, it cripples our democracy and undermine the vision of the likes of John Langalibalele Dube and many others who fought for the liberation of Africans. I am also highly concern about the dominance of Chinese in our country. My source of worry is that most analyses of Chinese engagement with African nations that I have read about reveals what China gets out of these partnerships which is primarily natural resources and export markets. If we can have a better understanding on why they are interested in investing in South Africa and what are we getting out of this as South Africans, I will be at ease.