So that was 2008? Don't ever come back!

With the most sincere heart, those of us here at Radio Midrand 93.8FM wish all our listeners only the very, very best for Christmas and the New Year. Thank you so much for being there for us. A further sincere thanks must go to those advertisers who helped lighten the burden.

It hasn't been easy getting this little station off the ground and the truly dedicated can be counted on one hand (whilst most other hands have been outstretched for palm creasing). Not easy for a non-profit organization trying to ascertain sustainability. Add to this the occasional greed infested delusional parasite who feels the right to try and create a personal nest egg on the voluntary hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and lest we forget, financial funding from others. And whilst we're still not out of the woods, 2009 is looking tremendously exciting for Radio Midrand 93.8FM with some serious big name pro's taking to the helm.

It must be emphasized that Radio Midrand 93.8FM is a station for the geographical community of Midrand and surrounds. In 2009, as a member of that community, if you have something you want to voice, voice it through us. Remember, 2009 is the year of your voice. Use it, and use it wisely!

It's Christmas eve and I think more so than ever before, I'm hearing people tell me just how sick to death of Christmas they are. There are naturally those that will always tell you that 'It's for the kids', and of course they are right, and I'm not about to wax lyrically about putting back the true meaning of Christmas, especially if you consider that according to the Bible, Christ was in fact born somewhere around March or April. However, here too the world needs to capitalize from your pocket by using a 'child appeal' fluffy tailed bunny to distract from the true meaning of Easter. Consider too that the word 'Easter' is a hand-me-down derived from a famous pagan witch named 'Esther'. (Christ and witches...? Gee... No prizes for guessing whose in charge in this world)

Yes, I'm sounding very cynical, but in truth, I really don't mean to be. I too would like to get caught up in the hype of Christmas, but this year I intend doing it for all the right reasons and meaning. For the first time in months and months, and who knows, perhaps in your case, years, I intend spending the day with my family and try not to reflect too much on what an unbelievably crappy year 2008 has been.

Eskom started the ball rolling with their 'load shedding' campaigns (and awarded their directorship with large salary increases), criminals simply continued to take a leaf from those in power (the circus antics of whom saw the demise of the President), the Prince of Clowns known as Bob up north still clinging to power (and receiving it free from South Africa), the tea cloth eastern oil gluttons held a $160.00 a barrel gun at our heads, petrol and food prices went through the roof, inflation soured, the world "super powers" (tongue-in-cheek) tried in vain to ward off a global recession that they had created and in fact were already living in, jobs were lost in the thousands... Do I need to go on?

It's said that that that (that's three "that's") doesn't kill you, can only make you stronger. Geez... I sure as hell hope so! Having put up with what we've had to handle in South Africa this year would define us as the strongest people on the planet! Still, would you want to live anywhere else?

Okay, so I'm cynical about Christmas, but I'm a big believer in second chances, and third and fourth and fifth and... It's for that reason that I do so enjoy New Year. The opportunity to put things behind and start again.

Let me end by saying that 2008 has kicked, punched and bruised us all, but we're still standing and together we always will. We've learned many lessons in the 'year-from-hell' which is why 2009 comes with a guarantee of being truly great!

It's easier said than done and I have often wanted to throttle those who have said it to me this year, but... hang in there. We're going to be okay!

God bless you and yours.

Scott

Condolences

Radio Midrand 93.8FM would like to convey its most sincere condolences to Pierre and Alba Delport on the loss of their son Charl on Wednesday 22nd October.

Charl Delport was the primary guest co-host presenter of the Tuesday afternoon 'Careers Network' show on Radio Midrand between 15:15 and 15:45 each week.

The thoughts and prayers of those of us at Radio Midrand go out to the family as so do those of many in Midrand and beyond at the sudden taking of an immensely likeable young man.

What do YOU want...

... to hear?

Using the 'Comments' link below this message, tell us what you want to hear on Radio Midrand, but before you answer, give thought to the following:

Since day one, Radio Midrand has, and continues to invite the community to contribute to its 'talk' content. An open invitation exists to charities and non-profit organizations to promote their cause/s free on air. Business has been made the same offer subject to the local advertising rates. We have for some days now been broadcasting the invitation to listeners to visit this blog and tell us what they would like to hear.

Do you have something of interest to tell Midrand?

Music? What will make Radio Midrand different to other stations? At present, Radio Midrand has adopted a primarily 'Classic Rock' format whilst adhering to more than the 40% SA local music content as required by law. This format has been taken due to the lack of classic rock songs played on both commercial and other community stations. Yet here too, our local music content is a little outdated, so where are the new artists? Here is a station offering YOU a platform.

It's virtually impossible to please to all the people all the time and there are already so many 'youth' appeal and 'adult contemporary' radio stations. So what do you want that will make 93.8FM different to the rest?

It's worth repeating that as a non-profit organization whose sole aim is to serve the people of this area, Radio Midrand can only survive on input from its community, so again, what do you want to hear? (Remember, click on 'Comments' below)

Peter strikes again...

In light of yet another damning personal attack on myself by Midrand Reporter journalist Peter Ramothwala, I would like to publicly state on this blog that it truly saddens me that the long term standing relationship, developed over time between the fledgling Radio Midrand and the local weekly newspaper appears in tatters.

Over the past three years, Midrand Reporter has done much to assist me as the Founder and Project Manager of Radio Midrand in keeping the public aware of the station's application process and progress. To this end, I sincerely thank them, and with that in mind, I am stating that under no circumstances whatsoever am I or the station going to be drawn into a mud slinging match with people who I once regarded as friends. It is with a sincere heart too that if there be means to heal the rift, then show me the way.

It's the old cliche'... Life is too short.

Midrand Reporter did not afford me suitable opportunity to put over my side of the story and produce the documentation to prove the truth in the matter of Mr. Grant Shakoane and the Sunday presenters. Instead, they chose to take a one sided approach based on the false testimony of a few disgruntled individuals.

It could be argued that I should simply produce the documentation and prove who is right and who is wrong. This paperwork is freely available to whoever wants to see it, but out of a deep respect to Mr. Shakoane, I am not prepared to hang anyone out publicly in the manner in which I have been. What difference would it make anyhow? Ramothwala has proven constantly his inability to write the truth. It's only sensationalism that he's interested in. However, if he has a fraction of integrity, then I invite him to sit down in front of me face to face and let me show him the true facts and let him write as much accordingly. Further, Caxton Publications might want to consider making him do it in order to display their integrity, seeing as they saw it fit to allow Mr. Ramothwala use of their publication to springboard a personally attack against an individual.

Have I ever used the airwaves to slate Mr. Ramothwala or anyone else for that matter? Do you think I'm likely to?

There are now two media in town and Midrand Reporter has to learn to accept it. Midrand is a huge community and there is certainly room for both. One provides the news, the other entertains. Where's the problem?

As mature adults, both media need to sit down, have a cup of coffee and discuss how to formulate a collaboration and re-establish the once great working relationship they both had in the past for the betterment of the community. My hand of friendship is extended. Should Midrand Reporter not wish to extend theirs, then here's my other cheek... Take your best shot. I chose to put the station in Midrand, so best I roll with the punches.

Rumours of closure and financial lack at Radio Midrand are not true, but there have certainly been some scary moments and we're not out of the thick as yet. Radio Midrand is here and here to stay as long as the community and business get behind the station and allows it to serve the people of this area with the respect, dignity and hopefully the enjoyment they deserve.

God bless you.

Scott Smith

For the aging rocker in all of us!

Coming up this week on Radio Midrand 93.8FM

Society for Animals in Distress (SAID) - Every Monday afternoon between 3:15 and 3:45pm, the Society for Animals in Distress tell us about their workings and projects in the community of Midrand and beyond. Now in their 50th year, the passion and commitment to distressed animals of the area continues unabated.

(Radio Midrand is currently looking for a sponsor for this show. If interested, please call Jane on 082 561 4174)


Careers Network - This Tuesday and every Tuesday afternoon between 3:15 and 3:45pm, tune into the Careers Network.

Whether you are a junior or senior school learner, or simply looking to change job directions in your life, the Careers Network show is here to open your thinking as to ‘where-to-from-here?’

(Radio Midrand is currently looking for a sponsor for this show. If interested, please call Jane on 082 561 4174)

(Please visit http://www.careers4africa.co.za/)

The Medical Hour - This Tuesday and every Tuesday evening between 7 and 8pm, tune into the Medical Hour with Dr. Mike, sponsored by HealthWorx.

Should you have any broad based medical questions for Dr. Mike, please address them to radiomidrand(at)iafrica.com or fax to (011) 312-4337.

The Property Programme - This Saturday morning between 9 and 9.30, tune into the Property Programme sponsored by Rawson Properties of Midrand.

Whether you are a seasoned property investor, first-time buyer or seller, the Property Programme is here to inform you on possibly your greatest asset. Should you have any property related questions that you would like answered on the Property Programme, please email them to radiomidrand(at)iafrica.com or fax to (011) 312-4337.

(Please visit www.rawson.co.za/halfwaygardens or call Rawson Properties on (011) 805 3975)

Passion for broadcasting? Wanna be a deejay?

"I have a passion for broadcasting!"

If I had a dollar for everytime that someone told me that, I would be one of the richest people on Earth. There are those I have said this to who look at me in stunned disbelief, but take 'passion' and stick it!

When we fall in love with someone, get engaged and get married, we define this as an act of 'passion' (although in some cases it might be also be referred to as 'madness'). After the honeymoon, the reality check called 'being married' kicks in and it's not long before you're picking up his dirty socks and underwear or he's trying to take a shower with your stockings and bras hanging up to dry over the shower curtain rail... Where's the 'passion' now?

I would be on the front cover of Forbes Richest even more so if I had a further dollar for every time someone said to me... "I wanna b da DJ!"

What the hell is a DJ? (aka. Deejay)

DJ is the acronym for 'disc jockey' and the terminology is best suited for one who spins records, plays CD's or MP3's etc in a night club environment. No disrespect to deejays; they do a grand job and I'm not sure I would be able to do what they do or with the energy associated therewith. Radio Midrand 93.8FM is not looking for 'DJ's', and that's because there is a huge difference between deejays and... 'Presenters'.

The next time you "...wanna b da dj", ask yourself this question... If, as will happen, a representative member of parliament was put on your show, or a specialist in the field of neuro surgery, or a clinical psycologist, a Ward Councillor...

Would you be able to hold down an intelligent conversation on air without embarressing yourself or the station?

The New Yardbirds are recognised as one of the greatest rock music groups of our times, but no one has ever heard of them. Be that the case, how can they be one of the greatest!? That's because the New Yardbirds was simply one of the first names of better known Led Zeppelin.

What's the point here?

Music knowledge. Plain and simple. Without it, please don't waste your time trying to get into radio.

Can't hold down a conversation? Again, please don't waste your time trying to get into radio.

Radio Midrand 93.8FM is a community broadcast service. Allow me to emphasize... "Community". How much do you really know about what's happening right on your own doorstep that you feel you can talk about that would appeal to a 'Community'? Not just the youth, or the rate payers, or the Bafana Bafana fans, or the social groups, or the elderly or the Eskom haters (like me). No... The 'Community'.

Still wanna b da dj?

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten 'Passion'. Let me get back to that now.

Using the marriage example again and 'passion' being the reason we got into it in the first place (don't get me wrong, I love being married and I adore my wife and family), what do we do when passion dies?

Come forth Lazarus!

That's right. In marriage, passion can be resurrected by...

...Creativity!

Radio is exactly the same thing! Passion dies but creativity lasts forever and like the same creativity that rekindles passion in marriage, it's the element that ensures that no one day is the same as the previous or the next. It's the substance that makes you want to stay on air day in and day out and enjoy every second of every minute that the opportunity allows.

Think, and change the word 'passion' in your vocabulary to 'creative'.

"Times up! Send in the next dj wannabe...!"