Know more
About us
Our Story
Ikhala Community Radio trading as Ikhala FM serves the geographical area of Blue Crane Route Local Municipality which consists of Cookhouse, Somerset East and Pearston in the Eastern Cape Province. The station can be picked up in the surrounding towns of Adelaide and Bedford.
Ikhala FM received its broadcasting licence on 11 August 2023, and is self-transmitting at 95.7 MHz frequency. The station was launched and started broadcasting on 18 July 2024.More than 2500 signatures in support of the establishment of a community radio station in the local municipal area have been collected as part of the application process.
More than 2500 signatures in support of the establishment of a community radio station in the local municipal area have been collected as part of the application process.
The application process for Community Radio closed on 30 June 2022, and out of 104 applications received by ICASA Ikhala FM is among the 5 approved to receive a community broadcasting licence in 2023.
The station’s studios are in Cookhouse. The station has its own property and broadcasting studio, thanks to Amakhala Emoyeni Cookhouse Community Trust for the kind donation.
Ikhala FM is founded by George Meko and Ms Yanga Hoko who are born and raised in Blue Crane Route Municipality.
Who We Are
The proposed community station caters to the needs of these disadvantaged communities living in these agricultural areas with no access to any local media within their reach.The aim of the station is to empower the Blue Crane Route Municipality communities with a voice to air their aspirations and dreams.
Ikhala FM’s main goal is to offer Blue Crane Route Local Municipality’s marginalized communities a voice of their own to debate their issues and offer solutions to make the community a better place for all to live in.The various community sectors will also benefit tremendously through programmes that speak directly to the needs of these diverse communities.
The station’s music offering is unique to suit the needs and taste of the intended market within the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality.
The station’s programming output will reflect the needs and aspirations of the target audience in the Blue Crane Route Municipality.
The station broadcasts in 60% IsiXhosa, 30% Afrikaans & 10% English.
The station broadcast in 50% Talk & 50% Music. The station’s music offering is unique to suit the needs and taste of the intended market within the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality.
The various community sectors benefit tremendously through programmes that speak directly to the needs of these diverse communities.
The station from time to time bring experts on air to come and engage on their respective fields which the communities are in dire need of.
Community events and happenings are also be comprehensively covered. The station creates certain time slots in its programming to provide this platform for them. This will be for charities and also non-profit organisations (NPO’s), which will reach the eager, helpful and concerned public. In addition to this, this information is shared on the station’s webpage, and other social media platforms.
The station will also establish its own news department and will source its news from the community. This will also be broadcast on a daily basis and also its social media platforms. Local sport will also be included in its bulletins; plus, certain shows will be created to showcase sports in the area.
DONATE / ADVERTISE
In order to ensure that our lights do not go off, and that we keep our radio on, kindly make your contribution to the following banking details:
Ikhala Community Radio Station NPC
First National Bank
Account Number: 63006601917
Account Type: Business Cheque
Branch Code: 210418