Johannesburg, July 2024 | Fully understanding the power radio has on a community, Jacaranda FM’s heartwarming Good Morning Angels initiative is extending its support to the South African radio community by empowering local community station Kofifi FM with something South Africans can no longer take for granted – power.
Located in the Johannesburg suburb of Westbury, near Westdene, Melville, and Sophiatown, Kofifi FM stands as a beacon of hope in a community often overshadowed by stories of crime, drugs, and gang violence. Despite these challenges, community members remain hopeful for a brighter future for their children.
One such community member is Joseph Cotti, who left his position as a founding technician at M-Net to help the Westbury Community Development Centre Trust establish Kofifi FM.
Named to reflect the vibrant music and cultural heritage of neighbouring Sophiatown, Kofifi FM focuses on the positives rather than the hardships. Over the past 14 years, the station has become the heart and voice of Westbury society, providing vital information, entertainment, hope, and opportunities for training and upliftment.
However, recent loadshedding and power instability have threatened the station’s survival, imposing a significant financial burden as they were forced to broadcast from another studio at great expense.
To address this, through Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels initiative, Rentech will assist Kofifi FM with inverters and battery power at their Westbury station and transmitter site, valued at R70,000, ensuring they remain on air amid power supply challenges. Additionally, Rentech will provide maintenance and services for these systems for two years.
To further assist and empower the community of Westbury, the Good Morning Angels Fund will support the Westbury Community Development Trust with R50,000 towards their community training and upliftment projects.
Kofifi FM is a recipient of assistance through the Jacaranda FM Community Station Initiative (JCSI). This initiative, started by Jacaranda FM, aims to provide assistance, mentorship, and training to qualifying community radio stations as a service to the South African radio industry.
Listen to Good Morning Angels every Wednesday morning on Jacaranda FM’s Breakfast With Martin Bester.