As of today, all 18 SABC radio stations have been mandated to play 90% local music, as part of what the national broadcaster calls a campaign to promote more local content.
This format will run over a period of three months, as announced by SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago yesterday, to trial how it’s received by listeners, which will then inform a final decision on how to balance airplay between local and international music.
“It is part of a bigger thing, you’ll remember that three weeks ago we announced that we want to go more into local content, not only music, we announced four new channels that will cater for the languages that are spoken in this country,” Kganyago said in an interview on SAfm this morning.
Kganyago added that this is a clear indication of the national broadcaster’s commitment to local content and that it believes it has a responsibility to reflect the different cultures represented in the country.
While stations like Ukhozi FM, Motsweding and other vernacular stations may not struggle much with the drastic change as they already cater to black audiences and local music already receives a lot of airplay; others, like 5FM, which cater to more urbanised listeners whose tastes are a heavy mix of international and local music, may have a tougher time with the trial.
According to Kganyago, the SABC actually would’ve loved to have 100% local music receiving airplay, but considered the fact that we do live in a global community and therefore decided on 90/10 balance.
Listeners have been weighing in on the matter on Twitter from early this morning, using the hashtag #LocalMusic, with mostly positive reactions.
#LocalMusic I support this, but I have a feelin we will hear the same artist over and over again! Open Up the Industry Yo!
— Muva (@ChockyBee) May 12, 2016
Progressive move by the SABC #LocalMusic
Corporate should follow suit
Local is always lekker!
— Not Yet UHURU! (@Lishington1) May 12, 2016
This #localmusic thing has created more of a stir in white communities than the time @BigConcerts announced Foo Fighters were coming to SA
— Alex Wright (@alexwrightafric) May 12, 2016
90% local means I can work hard and release more music. I support it #LocalMusic
— Hip Hop/Rap (@RayDat_Rapper) May 12, 2016
Think it will be best if commercial stations like your 5fm & metro FM r nt confined to play 90% maybe 60% at least 4 them #LocalMusic
— Mateo M. Mahani (@TheRealMatt101) May 12, 2016
Just hope that #localmusic will also include music all African music.
— Elinor Sisulu (@ElinorSisulu) May 12, 2016
I don’t mind #LocalMusic but our artists should put more effort in to their craft… I’m just not gonna listen to you because you local
— Khomotso Phaahla (@Saint_LK) May 12, 2016
If they don’t play enough hip-hop music then f#ck 90% #LocalMusic ! They can go back to normal, it would be better that way!
— iWolf (@ItsAfikileGazi) May 12, 2016
90% #LocalMusic is like #hlaudimotsoeneng banning EPL and imposing Absa Premier League. Good leagues but diff flava. BAD IDEA !!! @moflavadj
— Kingsley Ibokette (@kingubong) May 12, 2016
Kganyago noted that all genres of music will be played and that music from older legends will also be incorporated.
South African musician, Don Laka, who’s always been an advocate for local music receiving more airplay on radio stations, applauded the SABC for the move, adding that radio stations in the US and UK, where he’s lived and toured before, largely play 100% of their local music.
“We’re not totally closing the door for them [international artists], the 10% is there and it should stay like that… Our arts has come back home [sic] and this is where it should be.”
On the quality of music that should be played on air, Kganyago said it’s a very important factor and that local artists should now dig deep into their creativity and produce quality material worth listening to.
[Image – CC Wikimedia Commons]