Written by: Gerda Potgieter
Article source: Supplied
In September, the multiple award-winning community radio station, Radio Khwezi, celebrates 30 years of broadcasting in the community it serves. Located in the rural KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Khwezi has made significant contributions to community life, serving as a vital force for development rooted in Christian values. The station represents rural voices in KwaZulu-Natal and continues to foster hope and connection through its broadcasts. Khwezi embodies its motto, “Changing lives, giving hope,” with a vision to uplift communities. As one of South Africa’s first and largest rural community radio stations, it reaches over 100,000 listeners via transmitters in Greytown (90.5 FM) and Eshowe (107.7 FM). It is also accessible worldwide through their app, which can be downloaded from their website at www.khwezi.org.za.
Community radio stations play a vital role in keeping listeners informed about global events and helping them form opinions. Khwezi goes further by promoting grassroots rural development, engaging its audience in their native language, and fostering a sense of community spirit. Its content reflects local languages, culture, and social issues, meeting high regional, national, and international standards. Approximately 90% of the programming is in isiZulu, with 5% in English and 5% in German, appealing to a broad audience beyond just the German community.
Daniel Wunderlich, the station manager, says: “Our daily German programme for an hour in the afternoons is very popular and well-received by our extended German community. However, our isiZulu community reported that they tune into this programme to listen to the music they enjoy. It is heartwarming to receive such wonderful and positive feedback, as Radio Khwezi is a radio station for all its people. Because of this feedback, we try to focus more on the music people enjoy and not on discussions in the German programme, because we use our listeners’ feedback in planning our programmes.”
The Masibumbane Listeners Club is a significant project of Khwezi, with over 6,500 members across 40 community branches. It promotes engagement between local political officeholders and community members on service delivery and other crucial issues. This initiative effectively educates the community about the roles of local authorities through annual meetings and year-end functions.
Radio Khwezi has earned over 50 awards over the years, showcasing the high quality it brings to the industry! In 2024, at the South African Radio Awards, it shone brightly with 19 nominations and multiple wins, celebrating its dedication to excellence. Daniel shares, “These awards mean so much to us; they help us measure our progress and inspire us to give our community the very best continually!” It’s an excellent reflection of the fantastic work being done here!
As far back as 1995, Khwezi has been working with the communities in which it operates. Under Daniel’s management, this community radio station is realising its vision to uplift the community. It covers current affairs, featuring regular news bulletins and weekend feature shows, such as Iso LeKhawesi. It broadcasts several evening and weekend shows. In addition, it offers a diverse range of shows that strike a balance between entertainment, education, faith, and community empowerment.
Khwezi not only provides information but is also actively involved in skills development. Listeners can access uplifting content that not only nourishes their spiritual lives but also keeps them informed about local events, health initiatives, and agricultural practices essential to their daily survival. In an area where the challenges of poverty and limited access to information often persist, these stations stand out as invaluable resources, offering listeners insights that can lead to better decision-making and an enhanced quality of life. Through their dedicated programming, these Christian radio stations truly embody the spirit of compassion and support that is crucial for the development of the communities they serve. Radio Khwezi excels in that.
In the vibrant and diverse rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Christian radio stations shine as beacons of hope! They skillfully broadcast uplifting messages in various languages and tackle critical social issues head-on. These stations are more than just radio—they’re vital community hubs that empower, inform, and inspire. By combining spiritual guidance with essential social and economic news, they create a strong sense of unity and connection among listeners, uplifting hearts and minds throughout the region! Khwezi is a community radio station, rooted in Christian principles, that is making a significant impact.
(If you want to know more about the Khwezi Radio station and its work, read the online special publication, Devoted, for free by following the link: devotedmag.co.za
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Date published: 20/09/2025
Feature image: Supplied
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