Love is on the air: Eerste River couple launch own radio station at home
An Eerste River couple, who started an online radio station in a tiny room in their home, are working hard to raise funds to build a studio and make their dream come true.
George, 49, and wife Michelle Jantjies, 38, had a dream of having their own radio station three years ago.
At the time, they had their own nightclub in Eerste River but decided to sell it due to financial constraints, and instead pursued their other passion.
Soon after setting up their new studio, they suffered a double blow: the pandemic hit; and music copyright issued resulted in their social media shows being muted.
But the determined couple says they refused to give up and continued their live streaming shows from a corner space of a bedroom in their home.
“We used the little equipment we had and hosted live stream shows on Facebook, but our shows were muted,” says George.
“In May, we started a radio show and website called Shake n Pop Radio and currently run Monday to Sunday shows where we give slots to NPOs and local artists.
“Our most important show is on a Thursday evening from 7pm till 10pm and the show’s name is The Community Talk Show.
“On this show we try to help local unseen and unheard artists, bands, dancers or whoever has achieved something in their life or has talent that people don’t know of and we want our platform to showcase their talent and let people know who they are.”
George adds: “Our goal is to do as many fundraisers as possible, to be able to build our own radio studio next year, before we turn one year old as an online radio station.”
The couple’s next fundraiser is at Empire Lounge in Strand on 31 December and entry is R50.
Listen to the station at http://shakenpopradio.co.za.