I have been fortunate so far with opportunities that radio has led me to since starting out in 2015. Listening to the latest music, meeting artists and an opening of perception are just some of my experiences to name a few, but the latest one would be stepping into the TV world.
We live in a high-speed, interconnected society. What we say online in South Africa can be seen and read almost instantaneously in Australia. This is the power of social media and the internet. The technological improvements over the recent years have impacted the way protest movements have been run. So much so that one could argue that social media dictated to the masses as to what was the plan of action. We therefore take a closer look at how #FeesMustFall mobilised the masses through the use of social media. There are always pros and cons to something, but in this instance, under the perspective of mobilisation, the pros outweighed the cons dramatically.
Many of us come to UCT hoping to join a sports team and compete against other universities around the country. But this can be thought to be an unrealistic goal for some due to financial difficulties. Needless to mention the Fees Must Fall movement, which reminds us of the financial inequities. Furthermore, some may say our campus accommodates students who are disabled – how are these students being drafted into sports societies?
“What are students protesting about now?” – sound familiar anyone?
Who would have thought that two years after matric, old high school mates would reunite in a radio studio for the purpose of an interview?
We all need specialized skills to adequately equip us for the workplace – wherever, or whatever, that may be. But what about [arguably] one of the most simple skills; listening?! Are we all on the hunt for the technical skills necessary to allow us to succeed, at the cost of us not listening to those around us?
One of the beautiful perks of being in the radio industry is that you get to meet inspiring individuals from completely different walks of life, with an array of ideas and purposes in life to fulfill.
I’ll admit, it is a cliche to say that teamwork is vital to any group, but it cannot be expressed enough. We all have that one person at the back of our mind that tends to works on our nerves from time to time. However annoying they may be, it is imperative to get along with your team – especially at a radio station.
Imagine driving in you car with the radio on. Now picture listening to your favourite DJ. What if you could tell, by the sound of his/her voice, that they aren’t having a good day. How would that impact you?
It is a very relevant question to ask, “how do you prepare for a radio show?” that is. The general train of thought among radio consumers (listeners) is that the radio DJ simply goes on air and says what he or she wants to say – though there is some truth to that. However, I hope to share with you the full story behind the time and effort that goes in to preparing a 3 hour radio show.
Like a primary school student, nervous as hell before having to stand up in front of the class, I make my way onto the mini-amphitheater stage for my first outside radio broadcast. The butterflies were flying in many formations – none that seemed to calm the nerves, though. But the time had come; the teacher had called my name and now I had to come out from hiding behind my desk and entertain the class with that which I had prepared.
Valuable portraits belonging to the University of Cape Town (UCT) have been unlawfully removed and burned, and the responsible suspects are none other than the #RhodesMustFall movement! Imagine reading this on your social media feed – where do you plug in to hear further? Your local community station (UCT Radio)? Or do you opt for the commercialised voice (perhaps KFM)?
Radio stations around the world have taken note of the rise of popularity in Online Radio. Quite truthfully, however, first world countries are more conscious about it than third world countries because of the difference in accessibility and affordability of internet.
Training, interviews, voice testing, job shadowing and a written test later and the time had arrived. I can still clearly remember it as though it were only the other day. My first ever on air radio shift. It was a Monday night 11:00 pm, campus was cold, dark and windy – and I had to walk from where I was dropped off all the way to the studio. It sounds like the beginning of a fiction story, but this is definitely true.
