South Africa’s Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) is continuing its drive to strengthen South Africa’s community broadcasting sector with the handover of a newly digitised broadcast studio to Icora FM in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal.
The upgraded facility will be officially handed over on Friday by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong, who also serves as Chairperson of the MDDA Board.
The investment forms part of the MDDA’s ongoing programme to modernise community media through improved broadcasting infrastructure and access to digital technologies, enabling community stations to deliver higher-quality services to their audiences.
Icora FM serves Empangeni and neighbouring communities, providing locally relevant news, educational programming, entertainment and a platform for public dialogue and community participation. The new digital studio is expected to significantly enhance the station’s production and broadcasting capabilities while creating a more efficient and professional working environment for presenters, producers and volunteers.
According to the MDDA, the upgrade will strengthen Icora FM’s capacity to amplify local voices, encourage greater community engagement and better meet the information needs of the communities it serves. The agency said the project also highlights the growing role of digital technology in promoting media diversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of community broadcasters.
The Icora FM handover follows a similar initiative earlier this month, when Morolong officially commissioned upgraded broadcasting facilities at Radio Mafisa in Rustenburg, North West Province. Broadcasting on 93.4 FM, Radio Mafisa serves communities including Phokeng, Boitekong, Marikana, Mogwase and Tlhabane, reinforcing the MDDA’s broader commitment to expanding access to modern broadcasting infrastructure across South Africa’s community media sector.
