KARIEGA – Kariega Online Radio (KOR) was established in 2024 at a time when many residents of the town felt their concerns, achievements and everyday realities were being overlooked.
Founded by Sandile Buzani, who was born and raised in Kariega, the online station emerged from repeated conversations with community members who felt unheard.
Speaking to UD Express, Buzani said, “Everywhere I went, people were complaining that their issues were not being taken seriously. Service delivery problems, young people struggling, even positive things happening in the community, there was no proper platform telling those stories. That’s when I realised we needed our own voice.”
The station operates as a digital radio platform, broadcasting a mix of talk shows, community discussions, music and local updates. While modest in its resources, Kariega Online Radio has positioned itself as a space where local experiences are shared by people who live in the area themselves.
Buzani recalled the uncertainty ahead of the station’s first broadcast. “The day before, I was at work. I was nervous but excited. We didn’t have fancy equipment. I just told myself that even if only one person listened, it would be worth it.”
That early sense of uncertainty has not disappeared entirely. According to Buzani, the station’s biggest challenge remains sustainability. “Resources are the biggest struggle. Data is expensive, equipment breaks, electricity costs money. The station is run by volunteers who give their time because they believe in it. Some days it’s not about planning or ideas; it’s about whether we can stay online.”
Despite these constraints, the station has already had a visible impact on individuals within the community. Buzani points to the experience of a young local musician who was featured on the station for the first time. “He had never been played on radio before. After we interviewed him and played his music, he started getting bookings and working with other artists. He told me hearing his song on radio made him believe in himself.”
Moments like that, he said, reinforced the station’s purpose. “That’s when I realised this really matters.”
KOR is largely volunteer-driven and relies on contributions and informal support to cover operational costs. Buzani said support does not only have to be financial.
“It can be sponsorships, advertising, equipment or internet support,” he said. “However, realistically, we do need consistent monthly support to cover basics like data, electricity and equipment. Without that, the station risks going quiet, and when that happens, the community loses a voice.”
Looking ahead, Buzani said success is not measured by scale alone, but by relevance. “Success is when people say, ‘I heard that on Kariega Online Radio.’ When young people who came through the station leave with skills, confidence and opportunities. When issues raised on air actually lead to change.”
The decision to name the station after the town was deliberate. “Kariega is home,” Buzani said. “I grew up here. This place shaped me. Naming the station after the town was about pride and ownership. This station belongs to the people of Kariega.”
As traditional and digital media spaces continue to evolve, Kariega Online Radio reflects a growing shift towards community-led platforms; modest in scale, but rooted in proximity, trust and lived experience.
Buzani added that residents can follow them on Facebook; Kariega Online Radio, the links are available there. For more information contact Buzani on 069 174 1089 or krg.onlineradio@gmail.com.
