Radio Helderberg
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City | Somerset West |
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Broadcast area | Western Cape, South Africa |
Frequency | 93.6 FM |
Programming | |
Format | Easy-listening music, news and Informative Programmes |
Ownership | |
Owner | Community radio station |
History | |
First air date | 1995 |
Links | |
Webcast | [1] |
Website | www.radiohelderberg.co.za |
Radio Helderberg Is a community radio station situated in the Helderberg basin area of the Western Cape, South Africa. They broadcast on FM at a frequency of 93.6. The Radio station is the only one located in Somerset West.
History[]
Radio Helderberg went on air at 06h00 on 1 July 1995, broadcasting on the frequency of 95.9FM from Southey Vines, Somerset West. The first announcer on air was , previously a breakfast DJ on a national commercial radio station, 5FM. He now presents an afternoon show on BBC Radio Cornwall. Other presenters making up the first day's schedule were Keren Bracey, Andre Michael & Nik Blundell. The value of this fledgling community radio station was first illustrated during a fire at the nearby AECI chemical plant in 1995, when clouds of poisonous gas enveloped Somerset West and Macassar. The volunteer presenters continued to broadcast throughout the night, becoming the central drop-off point for food and clothing donations, and providing hints and tips to panicked listeners.
Initially broadcasting for 15 hours a day, the station broadcasts a wide range of MOR music, interviews and community notices in three languages – English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, 24 hours a day.
In September 1996 the station relocated to premises in the Somerset Mall from where the volunteer presenters and a full-time staff of six kept the station going. Radio Helderberg has grown from a charitable association to a business, flourishing on advertising income only.
At the end of January 2004, Radio Helderberg once again relocated to Garden Pavilion in the Somerset West Business Park. With listeners from every corner of the basin and beyond, Radio Heldeberg has become a business which continues to be there for the community to support them in their endeavors and to entertain, educate and inform. Radio Heldeberg then relocated to its Current address "Sanctuary Shopping Centre" in 2016
It changed to stronger transmitter, now broadcasting on 93.6FM which reaches as far as the southern suburbs and Riviersonderend. Longtime presenters include Fanie Bam (deceased 2008), Erna Ridge, Nik Blundell, Neil Ovens aka Lend 'n Ear, John Floyd, Kobus Schmidt, Mike Plummer (deceased 2007), Tommy Dell Annelia Preiss, Marius Dippenaar and Eddy Carter-Smith.
Current Studios[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Radio_Helderberg_Front.jpg)
The Studios are located at The Sanctuary Shopping Centre, corner R44 & De Beers Ave, Somerset West.
Presenters[]
- Bantu Landingwe
- Cathy Retief-Neil (Gen Manager)
- Herman Stoop
- Jan Snyman
- Johann Myburgh
- Khaya Makuleni
- Lunga Smile
- Lydia Nikani
- Lindi Erasmus
- Vanessa Bourne
- Danie Van der Mercedes
- Lucia Dramat
- Anele du Plessis
- Hanle Barnard
- Lunga Jakuja
- Bernard Louw
- Tory Bantam
- Morne Mundey
- Micka Alexander
External links[]
- Somerset West
- Afrikaans-language radio stations
- Community radio stations in South Africa
- Radio stations established in 1995