Preserving Radio Bantu: SABC Safeguarding Cultural Audio Heritage for Future Generations

Radio Bantu

Introduction

Radio Bantu holds a special place in the hearts of many South Africans, offering a rich tapestry of cultural, social, and historical narratives. As we delve into the 21st century, the importance of preserving this invaluable part of our heritage cannot be overstated. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Radio Bantu and the commendable preservation efforts the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). We will also discuss the vital role that individuals play in safeguarding this unique heritage.

The Historical Significance of Radio Bantu

Radio Bantu, a network of radio stations in South Africa broadcasting in indigenous languages, played a pivotal role in connecting communities across the country. It emerged during a time when apartheid policies were trying to divide and suppress South Africa's diverse cultures. Radio Bantu became a beacon of hope, a platform for communication, education, and cultural preservation.

These stations offered a voice to marginalized communities, allowing them to share their stories, music, traditions, and struggles. For many, it was the only source of information, entertainment, and a window into the broader world. This historical context underscores the importance of preserving Radio Bantu for future generations.

SABC Radio Archives Preservation Efforts

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has recognized the historical and cultural importance of Radio Bantu, and they have undertaken extensive preservation efforts to safeguard this unique audio heritage. The SABC Radio Archives team has been diligently working to digitize and archive the extensive collection of tapes and recordings, many of which are at risk of deterioration due to age and storage conditions.

Preserving these archives ensures that the stories and voices of the past remain accessible to future generations, allowing them to connect with their cultural roots and understand the struggles and triumphs of their ancestors. It also provides an essential resource for researchers, historians, and those interested in South Africa's history and culture.

Searching for Material in the Regions

Another crucial aspect of preserving Radio Bantu is the ongoing effort to locate and collect material from the regions where these radio stations are till thriving. Many listeners and community members may have kept recordings of radio broadcasts, interviews, music, and other content that holds historical significance. These materials can provide unique insights into the lives and experiences of people during the apartheid era.

The active search for material in local communities is essential to ensure that no piece of this cultural heritage is lost to time. It also encourages engagement and cooperation with the communities that were most affected by apartheid policies, furthering the dialogue on reconciliation and healing.

Calling on Listeners to Contribute

Preservation efforts are not limited to institutions alone; individuals can also play a crucial role in safeguarding Radio Bantu's heritage. Listeners who possess old tapes, recordings, or any other audio materials from that era are encouraged to come forward and share their collections with the SABC Radio Archives.

By doing so, individuals can contribute to the collective memory of the nation and help ensure that the voices and stories of the past are not forgotten. Their contributions can help piece together a more comprehensive picture of South Africa's history and the role Radio Bantu played in it.

Conclusion

Radio Bantu is a cultural treasure that deserves to be preserved for future generations. It represents a time when diverse communities came together through the medium of radio to share their stories, culture, and resilience in the face of adversity. The preservation efforts of the SABC, coupled with the active involvement of communities and individuals, are essential to secure this rich audio heritage.

As we look toward the future, let us acknowledge the importance of Radio Bantu in shaping the nation's identity and history. By working together to preserve and share this legacy, we can ensure that the voices of the past continue to resonate with the generations to come.

Click here for more: 

Radio Bantu web

Radio Bantu Listen Live

UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2016 - SABC Radio Archives and Television News archives photos

The SABCRadio Archives and the SABC Television News Archives highlight the rich cultural heritage that they have in their audio and audiovisual collections for World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2016.

"It's your story - Don't lose it!" - World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2016 theme

The annual World Day for Audiovisual Heritage will again be hosted worldwide on 27 October.

Bertram Lyons, IASA Editor and working at AVPreserve, has posted the following:  

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage has become a key initiative for both UNESCO and the Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) to honour audiovisual preservation professionals and institutions that help to safeguard this heritage for future generations despite the many technical, political, social, financial, and other factors that threaten its survival. Audiovisual archives around the world join together annually on 27 October to celebrate their work with activities and events that not only highlight the vulnerability of this heritage, but also celebrate the often unheralded work of the heritage institutions that protect it.

The theme of the World Day this year is "It's Your Story - Don't Lose It". 

READ MORE: New CCAAA Website and the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage!

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage - podcast from Radio Sonder Grense on 27 October #wdavh2015

The following package was compiled by the afternoon team of Radio Sonder Grense on Middag op.

Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archive, have selected one of the soundtracks for today. Jan Beukes, one of the first African broadcasters in 1937 on the African service, are relaying anecdotes about the first African broadcasts on radio. It was recorded on October 18, 1955. The soundtrack was originally recorded on acetate record and was digitized on a CD by a sound engineer. Unfortunately, we have many formats in the Archives which are perishing because we are not digitizing fast enough. It is a global problem in all audiovisual archives! "

The podcast translated from Afrikaans:

"The theme for the celebration of this year World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2015" Archives in Danger - Protecting the world's identities! "

SABC Media Libraries are part of archives worldwide highlighting the importance of preserving our audiovisual heritage in the SABC Radio archives. Our audiovisual heritage do not only allow us to look and listen with apperciation to our audio-visual collections, but what is more important, it also shows us who we are!

The Coordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Association (CCAAA) encourage everyone to participate in the campaign to protect man's AV heritage. The world's audiovisual heritage of sound recordings and moving images are extremely vulnerable due to factors ranging from neglect, natural decay due to technological obsolescence, as well as deliberate destruction.

Accordingly, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) made it part of its mission to create public awareness with the the Global Audiovisual Heritage celebrations annually.

All the world's audiovisual heritage is endangered. Therefore, the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and the Memory of the World program are the two most important actions identified by UNESCO to help preserve this heritage! The task is on professionals in conservation to help preserve this heritage for future generations, despite the many technical, political, social, financial and other factors that threaten AV survival.

UNESCO encourages everyone to share in the celebrations on October 27 by putting the emphasis on their precious collections to ensure that present and future generations will still be able to enjoy our shared audiovisual heritage. "

Poster: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2015

The UNESCO Coordinator for WDAVH 2015, Belina SB Capul, has released two studies of the proposed official poster to highlight this year's theme:
 "Archives at Risk - Protecting the World's Identities"

The poster designs were developed by the Philippine Information Agency's Creative and Production Services Division.

The other poster can be viewed here: Study for WDAVH Posters Released
It seems likely that the poster shared here will be used, as it is displayed in the side-bar of the official WDAVH website as well.

The official website for this year's WDAVH can be found here: http://archives.pia.gov.ph/wdavh/?m=home&i=home:col2&sm=About_WDAVH

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2015 on 27 October

Once again awareness needs to created about the dire situation of the world-wide audiovisual heritage!

The slogan of this year's World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is:

"Archives at Risk: Protecting the World's Identities"

The world’s audiovisual heritage of sound recordings and moving images are extremely vulnerable as a result of factors ranging from neglect, natural decay to technological obsolescence, as well as deliberate destruction. 

Consequently, UNESCO has made it part of its mission to raise public consciousness of the importance of preservation of these recordings through the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage. 

In adopting 27 October as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, UNESCO, in cooperation with the Co-ordinating Council of Audiovisual Archives Associations (CCAAA) and other institutions, has helped to raise the profile of the issues at stake and focus global attention on the fragility of this heritage. 

                                                          - UNESCO Woprld Day for Audiovisual Heritage 

The countdown has begun!
Today is 19 days away from the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2015!

The Kalahari Desert Festival 2015, Andriesvale

By: Moshe Maghundu
Archivist and Librarian, Platfontein, Northern Cape

On Thursday, 19 March, the X-K FM broadcast team got the privilege again to do the Kalahari Desert Festival 2015 (KDF 2015).

Left: Simon Hasjenda (Programme producer); Moshe Maghundu (Archivist);
Reinhardt Kampunda (Presenter)
Right: Jeta Manuel (Presenter)
[Camera: Rena Maghundu (Technical producer)]

It is an opportunity to do stories, interviews and oral history for SABC Platfontein Archives, but it does not come easy due to budgetary constraints.

This is the third festival that Moshe Maghundu attended where he could gather a sizeable amount of material for broadcast and for the Archive. Speaking to people around the festival is easier than speaking to them at home where they are asking for monetary compensation before telling their stories. He is appreciative of the fact that the people came to talk to him for free.

The broadcast location was centred right in the middle of all activities It was very easy getting hold of people for interviews.

They got hold of Andries Steenkamp on the first day. He is a respected leader from the area and he is one of the organisers of the Kalahari Desert Festival 2015. He has a very strong vision of the KDF and how he want the festival to survive in future.

The tent was used as a lecture venue for the three San languages; !xun, Khwe an !khomani. It was amazing to observe how encouraged the young people were in learning these languages.

The beauty of the Kalahari: dry, with grasses and plants
which can only grow in the Kalahari

One of the challenges they had was the booking of Telkom lines. Telkom could not give them any lines because of birds making their nests on these poles which became heavy and breaks the poles.

Thanks to technology, they used the mobile devices Comrex for Broadcast.

















At the festival there were many activities which kept the youth entertained, with drama performances, poetry and music.

There were young ladies modelling for the crowd.

The ladies team from Platfontein also took part in the traditional dance performances. This was very encouraging seeing the young people interested in the cultural affairs.

Moshe Maghundu arranged for an interview with one of the organisers of the Kalahari Desert Festival. She spoke on issues of the San people being exploited. Researchers and film crews do not compensate fairly for research and visual material being shot in the area.

Police and medical crews were on standby in case of emergencies.

Day 2 of the broadcast by X-K FM

They managed to do a number of interviews with Andries Steenkamp. Moshe Maghundu helped out to make sure that everything went well with the broadcasts before going off  "sound hunting".

Children were also given the opportunity to enjoy the festival with jumping castles. The day was cloudy with some drops of rain, but the wind was one of the main challenges. They were thankful that the Gazebo was not blown away.

There was also a session of storytelling around the fire where by all San groups came together to tell their stories. It was a very exciting experience for all!

-------------------------

Thanks to the following people for believing in the work that's been done:
- Regina Beregho, the station manager of X-K FM - for taking the initiative to arrange for this trip for Moshe Maghundu. It would not have been possible without her and he would not have been able to do his work in the Kalahari.
- Hennie Swart - for all the financial support. Thanks for believing  in the development of the San people by supporting the X-K FM Archives: "Baie dankie Hennie, ek waardeur alles!"
- Colleagues: Simon Hasjenda, Rena Maghundu, Reinhardt Kampunda and Jeta Manuel - "Thanks for the co-operation you gave. I really enjoyed working with you all.You all are hard-working and we all had one mission to accomplish, and that was to do our best for our station X-K FM".


Related posts

- The Kalahari Desert Festival 21 - 23 March 2014 > "Sound Hunting" for archival purposes

- X-K FM archivist at the Kalahari Desert Festival

Archivists of SABC Radio Archives being interviewed about World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2014 #wdavh2014

Three of the archivists of SABC Radio Archives were interviewed by SABC Radio stations about the importance of World Day for Audiovisual Heritage that is celebrated yearly on 27 October 2014.

The interviews are uploaded on SoundCloud.

Morongwa Mokwena, English Archivist, on 26 October on Media@SAFM on SAFM




Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist, on 27 October on Loslip, on RSG. (interview in Afrikaans)




Peter Raseroka, Ikwekwezi Archivist, on 27 October on Ikwekwezi FM (interview in isiNdebele)





Related posts:

- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2014 today

- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2014 on 27 October

World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2014 on 27 October

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is held again on 27 October.

The theme for this year's celebration of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2014 is "Archives at Risk - Much More to Do!"

 Our AV heritage allows us not only to appreciate watching and listening to our AV collections but more importantly, it tells us about who we are.

The Coordinating Council of AV Archives Association (CCAAA) encourages all to join in the campaign for the need to safeguard man's AV heritage." - WDAVH

Read more about the campaign: World Day for Audio Visual Heritage 2014 

A Heritage Braai at the SABC Media Libraries

Not only do the SABC Media Libraries help in preserving the rich heritage of South African Broadcasting in audio and print, but we also celebrated Heritage Day in true South African style!


 We had a Heritage "Braai" (barbecue) sponsored by our manager, Bennie Jacobs and his managers. Thank you! It was on Tuesday, because Wednesday, the official Heritage Day on 24 September, was on a Public Holiday here in South Africa!

The Braai Master, Themba Mtshali, made sure that the meat was grilled to perfection!


Blog post and photos by Karen du Toit.

SABC Radio Archives keeps the heritage of SABC Radio broadcast material

In celebration of Heritage Month, and Heritage Day tomorrow, the SABC Radio Archives share a snippet from the heritage that they are keeping in the archives.

One of the gems is an extract from SAFM PM Live on 24 September 1997, part of a news bulletin with actuality of former President Nelson Mandela who opened the Robben Island Heritage Museum, one of South Africa’s heritage sites.

It is still on a reel-to-reel tape, one of the very dependable formats in the Radio Archives.

A quote for Heritage Day:

"National Heritage Day is an opportunity to share stories about our heritage. It is a day for families to visit heritage sites, and  for children to learn about the struggle heroes who fought against apartheid. We dare not allow the sacrifices of those who gave all, so that we may be free, to be forgotten. 

This initiative is in line with the theme for this year's Heritage Month; "Celebrating 20 years of democracy: Tell your story  that moves South Africa Forward". This year's Heritage Month also takes place against the backdrop of our 20 Years of Freedom celebrations which reinforces our collective memory of the struggle  towards promoting a national identity. 

Celebrating our heritage is an integral part of healing the divisions of the past and to establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights."               - SABC        

Enjoy your Heritage Day,  "respecting and acknowledging the past, celebrating the present and building the future together" (SABC). 

The Kalahari Desert Festival 21 - 23 March 2014 > "Sound Hunting" for archival purposes

SOUND HUNTING 
by Moshe Maghundu
Archivist: SABC Platfontein 

The Kalahari Desert Festival took place for a second time in the Kalahari at Andriesvale, ten kilometres from Ashkam. This event is very historical in nature to the SAN people as it brings together all San people from different countries with their traditional festivities.

The San people from Platfontein, the Kalahari, Upington and others from the Western Cape took part as the festivities started on the evening of Friday, 21 March, on Human Rights Day.

Moshe Maghundu was there with a crew to do “sound hunting”. He was able to host storytelling sessions with the Kalahari people and others. The people gave their full cooperation. He faced challenges with some people expecting to be reimbursed for their oral contributions. He complied out of his own pocket because of his love for the project. He understands and put a great value on their contributions for heritage and archival purposes.

Station X-K FM covered the event live from its opening till the evening of the last day Saturday 22 March.They were also responsible for arranging some of the interviews which Moshe recorded.

• Mr Markus Jetembo        Presenter
• Mr Joe Mpungo               Presenter
• Mr Piorro Mushavanga   Producer
• Me Rena Maghundu       Technical Producer
• Mr Moshe Maghundu     Archivist

X-K FM

X-K FM struggled with some technical difficulties, but luckily the technical producer took care of the problems.

It is highly appreciated that Mike Nemane provided the gazebo in which the broadcast took place.

The challenges of the Kalahari sand did not put a damper on the uplifting spirit of the festival.
Moshe Maghundu was working non-stop to get the people to tell their stories. Although it was hot, time was limited for him to get all the interviews.

Moshe Maghundu during a short break
before taking up the Marantz recorder again

DRAPJJ STARS

There were music performances in the main tent. The group from Platfontein, called the DRAPJJ STARS, with hip hop and rap music, mixed it up with the San language and the English language.

DRAPJJ STARS

The moment DRAPJJ STARS stepped  on the stage, every one in the surrounding areas ran to the tent to watch their performance.

X-K FM presenter interviewing young people

On the evening of the last day the presenter interviewed  young people about their  experiences at the Kalahari Desert Festival 2014. The presenters did an excellent job.

The donkey carts were the only transport allowed at the venue. People had to pay to be transported around in the area and it was found to be very trustworthy.

Hennie Swart

Special thanks goes to the main man, a friend, organiser and everything of the Kalahari Desert Festival.
He started the initiative for the San people to share their cultural heritage. His name is Hennie Swart, the only white man with a black surname. He drives a black Isuzu truck and likes wearing his black t-shirt.

Also thanks to the following people for making the trip a success:

• Me Regina Beregho, X-K FM station manager.
• Mr William Heath, Line Manager RBF.

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October #wdavh2013

The yearly World Day for Audiovisual Heritage highlights the vulnerability of the world's audiovisual records.

The Instagram photo is from a photo taken in the SABC Radio Archives, which collects and stores audio material from SABC Public Broadcast Services (PBS) Radio Services. The SABC Radio Archives store a vast collection of audio material in different audio formats, some of which are also subject to disintegration if not being digitised before it is too late.

More information about the day can be found here: About the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

27 October 2013
Theme: Saving Our Heritage for the Next Generation

"Audiovisual documents, such as films, radio and television programmes, audio and video recordings, contain the primary records of the 20th and 21st centuries.

 Transcending language and cultural boundaries, appealing immediately to the eye and the ear, to the literate and illiterate, audiovisual documents have transformed society by becoming a permanent complement to the traditional written record.

However, they are extremely vulnerable and it is estimated that we have no more than 10 to 15 years to transfer audiovisual records to digital to prevent their loss. Much of the world's audiovisual heritage has already been irrevocably lost through neglect, destruction, decay and the lack of resources, skills, and structures, thus impoverishing the memory of mankind. Much more will be lost if stronger and concerted international action is not taken. 

It was in this context, that the UNESCO General Conference in 2005 approved the commemoration of a World Day for Audiovisual Heritage as a mechanism to raise general awareness of the need for urgent measures to be taken and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents as an integral part of national identity."

                          Source: UNESCO

Posts from previous years: 

- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27 October 2012

- Storify: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2011 at the SABC 

- Springbok Radio #1 - The History

- Unesco World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 - Awareness by SABC Media Libraries in South Africa 

- Unesco World Day for Audiovisial Heritage 27-28 October 2010

Blog post by Karen du Toit, archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Nelson Mandela's voice - priceless treasures from the SABC Radio Archives

Nelson Mandela's rich legacy in sound is being preserved in the SABC Radio Archives.

We are reminded of him each day, with posters and framed photos, and his voice from our sound archives.

In 1999 the SABC Radio Archives launched a CD with some of his famous speeches.
The CD is titled: "The voice of Nelson Mandela Extract from famous speeches - original recordings"

One of the speeches was recently used in an Afrikaans drama for Radio Sonder Grense, titled Die Offer (in Radioteater). The speech was from his recital of Ingrid Jonker's poem in 1994, "The Child".

The SABC Radio Archives personnel met him at the launch in 1999. It was a huge honour to shake his hand.

Archivist Elizabeth Mate wore her Mandela t-shirt today, during a time that all is thinking and sending wishes to him for a recovery from a sick bed.


We wish him well this month turning 95!

Archivist Moshe Maghundu at the Khoi and San land claims meeting in Kimberley

Minister Gugile Nkwinti

Archivist and librarian Moshe Maghundu, was at the land claims' discussions between the Minister of Rural Development and Land reform, Min Gugile Nkwinti, and the Khoi and San people.
They want to re-open the lodgement of the land claims.
It was held on 13 - 14 April 2013 in Kimberley.


As an archivist, Moshe Maghundu tries to be at any event with regards the issues and culture of the Khoi and San people; to record and gather material for the archives, which he has started from scratch at SABC Platfontein.


By Moshe Maghundu:

One of the issues at the heart of the Khoi and San people, the land claim, was once again reopened by the minister. A meeting was organised in Kimberley at the Mittah Shiperepere convention centre. The deliberations during these two days were very difficult.

The Khoi and San at the meeting were very frustrated, saying that the government has not recognised the Khoi and San and treating them as if they do not exist at all.
The point was made that the Khoi and San are the first peoples of South Africa, and different sciences prove this point. The rock paintings all over South Africa are such a case in point.

The San demanded an immediate solution to the following:

• The land should be given back.
• Heritage site ownership should be awarded to the Khoi and San.
• Acknowledgement for their traditional leaders and chiefs should be given.

The Khoi and San at the meeting also demanded that government should consult with them before they start planning and implementing with regards their issues.

The following promises were made:

• PANSULP - that the Khoi and San language be nationalised and included in the S.A. school curriculum.
• Recognition of Khoi and San leadership..
• A Khoi and San committee or steering body to be elected to represent them.

Moshe Maghundu interviewing a government official 

I had the privilege to speak to some of the government officials who was very positive in their response. The government acknowledges that mistakes were made when land were taken away from the San peoples (in 1913). After years of government research on this issue, the government want to correct all the wrongdoings. They reopened the land claim issue after it was finalised some years ago as it did not take the Khoi and San people in account.

SABC station X-K FM (107.9) was there for the two days to broadcast from the venue. 
Afrikaans was the language at the conference and only a little bit of English was heard. The recordings was made in Afrikaans.

At some point the frustrations of the Khoi and San made the government delegates uncomfortable. The wisdom of the Minister steered them through this difficult hurdle. 

It needs mention that the Khoi and San land claim re-opening came from the speech President Jacob Zuma made in Parliament. We as the San thank the government for giving us a voice.

Oupa Petrus Vaalbooi (Kalahari) thanking the government
for their involvement

Team X-K FM

Far left: Rena Maghundu (RBF technical producer); Middle, Anna Ndao (X-K FM  presenter):

Right: Joe Mpungo (X-K FMpresenter)

The X-K FM team is acknowledged for a job well done. They had to broadcast in a situation where people were shouting and making noises. 
This is what the station is tasked with: To cover all affairs of the San peoples and to communicate it to those who could not attend.

The final day ended with entertainment and a gala dinner where the SAPS band 
occupied the stage.

SAPS band

Left to righ: Moshe,Rena,Anna and Simon.

Content and photos by Moshe Maghundu.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist at SABC Radio Archives

Springbok Radio #4 - Squad Cars & Trials

This is the 4th in a series of blog posts featuring Springbok Radio, the SABC's first commercial radio station, that was broadcasting from 1950-1985 before it was closed.

The visual canvasses are from the most recent UNESCO World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2012 exhibition at SABC.

One of probably the most popular programs on Springbok Radio was Squad Cars:

Squad Cars 

"They prowl the empty streets of night... These are the men of Squad Cars"

"Week by week a dramatized story of the South African Police at work would unfold.
The series was directed by Colin Fish, produced by David Gooden and recorded at the Sonovision Studios in down-town Johannesburg.
A total of 823 episodes were recorded."

             - Frans Erasmus, former custodian of the Springbok Radio collection


Two programmes about Investigation and Trial:

Consider Your Verdict

"Consider Your Verdict" started on Springbok Radio in 1954, and ended in December 1985.

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict".

The series presented a different court case every week and was loosely based on the imported radio series "Famous Jury Trials", which was also broadcast on Springbok Radio prior to "Consider Your Verdict"

                       - Frans Erasmus

Inspector Carr investigates

"The Epic Casebook / Inspector Carr investigates" started on Springbok Radio in May 1957 with Douglas Laws playing Inspector Carr.

The series concerned retired Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Carr, who gave a weekly story from his casebook of crime.

All the stories were written & produced by Michael Silver and recorded at the CRC Studios in Johannesburg.

The series was called "The Epic Casebook" from 1957-1977, named after the sponsor "The Epic Oil Company". 

During 1977 the series was called "Inspector Carr investigates" after a decision by Springbok Radio not to tie up a series with just one sponsor."


            - Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio material.



Related posts:

- Springbok radio #1 - The history 

- Springbok Radio #2 - News and Comedy

- Springbok Radio 3 - Afrikaans



Springbok Radio content on canvasses by Retha Buys, custodian of Springbok Radio.

Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Springbok Radio handover to SABC - SABC News video

"It once dominated the airwaves. Three decades later - Springbok Radio continues to draw listeners. The famous national station, closed in 1985, and today handed over it's archived material to the SABC..."
                                                                        -   SABC News


The Springbok Radio archive material was officially handed over yesterday afternoon at the SABC, with many well-know personalities of Springbok radio attending.

The custodian of the Springbok Radio Preservation Society, Frans Erasmus handed over his collection to the SABC. The event was captured by SABC News.


Website: SABC Springbok Radio


Related posts:

• Media release: Handover of Springbok Radio Archive material to SABC
• Frans Erasmus, an inspiration!
• Springbok Radio revisited

                                                                     

Valentine's Day invitation 2012 #loveheritage

Valentine's Day 2012 in archives

The Ask Archivists initiative has come up another great initiative for Valentine's Day this year:
Valentine's Day 2012 in the Archives.

We would love to join them in this initiative, and for that we need input from our radio listeners for the SABC Radio Archives.

A quote from AskArchivists blog post:

"We believe, that YOUR archive has a lot of amazing stories about one of the most amazing human feelings in its collections. And we encourage you to share them on February 14th.
Put some of your documents of love on Flickr or Picasa, make a video for YouTube, create an album on Facebook… use any platform you like, just tweet about it, using the hashtag #loveheritage."

We know that we have wonderful stories of undying love, of sacrificing love, of romantic love, or any other kind of love; that has been told in radio interviews. Some we will be able to find, but some will have been forgotten...

Please remind us of that interview, story or report on radio about an amazing love story that has stood the test of time! We would love to share it here!

In two weeks time we will be celebrating the Day of Love!
We would also love any other archives, libraries and museums to join us.

Please share your stories of love, and give us a shout out, especially if you are from the African continent.


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

Storify: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2011 at the SABC

Storify: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage at the SABC

The SABC celebrated World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on 27th Oct 2011 by hosting a traveling exhibition from ILAM called “For Future Generations – Hugh Tracey and the International Library of African Music". The exhibition was up from 5 - 28th October in Auckland Park. 


The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage culminated in a lunch-time concert on 27 October  by Pops Mohamed. Pops Mohamed is a South African musician who promotes our cultural African music tradition by promoting African music with the traditional musical instruments on a modern platform. He says he is on a "mystical African music journey". 


The SABC participation in World Day for Audiovisual heritage was compiled in a Storify with all the relevant posts, updates and tweets about the day, and to highlight the importance of our audiovisual heritage.

Quote from Unesco World Day for Audiovisual heritage:

Sound recordings and moving images are extremely vulnerable as they can be quickly and deliberately destroyed. Essentially emblematic of the 20th century, audiovisual heritage can be irretrievably lost as a result of neglect, natural decay and technological obsolescence. Public consciousness of the importance of preservation of these recordings must be engaged and the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is intended to be the platform for building global awareness.

Some cellphone photos of the Pops Mohamed concert on the 27th Oct.

Pops Mohamed at the lunch-time concert at SABC

Pops Mohamed serenading Florence Moshatana on the mbira

Pops Mohamed playing the kora

Related posts:

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage - 27/10/2011
ILAM Travelling exhibition at the SABC 
SABC Platfontein celebrated World Day for Audiovisual Heritage


Blog post & Storify by Karen du Toit, Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.

ILAM travelling exhibition at SABC: For Future Generations – Hugh Tracey and the International Library of African Music

The four interns of the SABC Radio Archives, which form part of the SABC Media Libraries, visited the ILAM travelling exhibition in the SABC foyer in Auckland Park. The exhibition will still be here until the 28th of October 2011.

"For future generations - Hugh Tracey and the International Library of African Music".

It is as part of the build up towards the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage on the 27th of October 2011 next week.
ILAM stands for International Library of African Music.

Obakeng Phiri, Mbali Jezile, Nokuthula Mzelemu & Thakhani Ramufhufhi 

The exhibition celebrates the work of Hugh Tracey who was a former SABC employee. Hugh Tracey founded ILAM in 1954, and his  collection of sound recordings and photographs of the sub-continent, captured from 1928 through the early 1970s during 19 field excursions that took him as far north as the then Belgian Congo will be represented in this exhibition. ILAM is situated in Grahamstown at the University of Rhodes.

The travelling exhibition, “For Future Generations – Hugh Tracey and the International Library of African Music” displays a selection numerous features on Tracey’s field research, publications, films and audio recordings. Video stations offer footage of South African mine dancing, Chopi xylophone orchestras, Shona music and story-telling, and on ILAM’s history and current projects.    

           - Ilse Asmann (SABCMediaLib blog: World Day for Audiovisual heritage)

Read more about Hugh Tracey and his contribution to the preservation of the rich heritage of African music:
Hugh Tracey Portrait

Part of the ILAM exhibition at the SABC

Abel Thulare, SABC Information Librarian, also came to check out the exhibition

Obakeng Phiri took the photos