About
Zibonele FM was established in response to the community’s call for extensive health education in Khayelitsha, specifically in “Town Two.” Our radio programs consist of 70% talk and information, complemented by 30% music. We are proud to broadcast in the three official languages of the Western Cape, with 80% of our content in isiXhosa, 10% in English, and 10% in Afrikaans.
Our programming is designed to cater to the needs of our listeners, with isiXhosa being the dominant home language in African townships. However, our audience is also familiar with English and Afrikaans. Our talk content is focused on addressing issues that directly impact the community, such as news, education, religion, current affairs, business development, technology, sports, traffic, weather, motivation, and politics.
At Zibonele FM, we are committed to providing our listeners with the information and entertainment they need to stay informed and engaged with their community.
Zibonele FM was established in 1993 and became the first official community radio station in the country when it obtained its broadcasting license in August 1995. The radio station initially operated out of a shipping container located in Town Two, one of the localities of Khayelitsha.
The vision for Zibonele FM was driven by Dr. Gabrielle Ugotti, a medical practitioner from Argentina. The primary goal was to inform and educate the community about healthcare issues, particularly in dealing with the spread of tuberculosis and other prevalent diseases.
To achieve this goal, the station sources information from various sources, including the internet, government sources, pre-recorded audio, local news, eyewitness news, and community members. Zibonele FM is committed to informing and educating the community about important issues and providing a platform for community members to voice their concerns and opinions.
Our background
Our Mission
At Zibonele FM, our mission is to be a trusted catalyst for lifelong learning. As a community broadcasting station, we engage and enrich our community through unique programming and services. We strive to provide valuable information and entertainment to our listeners, as well as a platform for community members to voice their concerns and opinions.
We are committed to promoting lifelong learning by providing educational content on health, technology, business, and other relevant topics. Our programming is designed to be distinctive, offering a diverse range of content that appeals to different demographics in our community.
Through our services, we aim to enhance the quality of life of our listeners by providing valuable information, entertainment, and community engagement opportunities. As a trusted and reliable source of information and entertainment, we are proud to serve the communities of Khayelitsha and surrounding areas.
Our Vision
Zibonele FM is dedicated to being the best community radio station in the Cape peninsula region. We are committed to being responsive to community needs and promoting community development through our broadcasting.
Our programming is designed to inform, educate, and entertain our listeners while addressing the unique challenges faced by our community. We strive to be a trusted and reliable source of information, providing accurate and up-to-date news, health information, business development, technology, sports, and more.
Through our community engagement initiatives, we work closely with community members to address their concerns and amplify their voices. We believe that community broadcasting can be a powerful tool for promoting positive change, and we are committed to using our platform to support community development efforts.
Overall, Zibonele FM is dedicated to promoting the well-being of our community through our broadcasting and community engagement efforts.