Hard work pays off

Last week I had the privilege of attending the launch of the Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans. Never in my wildest dreams had the thought crossed my mind that I would one day find myself on the list.

Initially when I received the e-mail that I had made it to the shortlist for the Mail and Guardian’s shortlist of the Top 200 Young South Africans, I thought it to be spam and did not even bother to read the e-mail. It was only when the follow up e-mail was sent that I actually took note. I then knew that there was merit to the initial e-mail.

While the publication does their own research on the nominee, they also send through a questionnaire that needs to be filled in. It looks at the work you are currently doing, what you would change if you were President of South Africa and also looks at any accolades you may have received.

The accolade could not have come at a better time for me. If you are a community journalist you are acutely aware that you are not earning the same salary as journalists who work in main stream media or at commercial radio stations.

You are painfully aware that you are not able to afford a house of your own or a car -if you do own a car, which in today’s day and age, is no longer a luxury you will have to either find ways of supplementing your income or permanently live off 2 minutes noodles and peanut butter sandwiches.

And yes there are times when this can depress you -normally somewhere towards the middle of the month or just before you get paid. You then start questioning why you are working in community media and not main stream, or better yet, why you are not working for government as a spokesperson.

You work long hours because, at a community radio station, you often have to do the work of more than one person, which sometimes seems to go unnoticed. But it is accolades like the one from the Mail and Guardian that makes the meager salary, long hours and intense critique that one has to endure worthwhile.

It is in moments like these that you suddenly remember why you choose this profession and you realize that out there someone is taking note of the long hours you put in to produce a quality product.

Dorianne on M&G list

This article was first published on Voice of the Cape's website: www.vocfm.co.za


VOC’s Breakfast Beat presenter and award-winning producer Dorianne Arendse is one person you have to take out to lunch. That’s according to the Mail & Guardian newspaper, who listed the news hungry journalist on their 200 Young South Africans list, officially unveiled in Johannesburg on Thursday. The Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans displays exceptional young achievers making an impact in various fields as they shape the country's future.

Arendse jetted off to the special luncheon in Sandton where she rubbed shoulders with these young dynamos. She will be featured in Friday’s supplement of the Mail and Guardian. Short-listing the candidates was a rigorous process for judges because they had to track the work done by the candidate over a period of time. “I think it’s the first time a community radio journalist made it onto the list but I do speak under correction. Most of the reporters that have made the list in the past come from main stream media,” she told Drivetime from OR Tambo International Airport.

“It’s a wonderful achievement…I feel very honoured. And I know this will be a huge boost for my career.” She believes the mere fact to be nominated for such an accolade shows that community radio is a force to be reckoned with. Arendse emphasised that the work The Voice of the Cape is delivering is of the required standard as the station is competing with people in other media. “VOC has won numerous awards over the last three years in various categories. We have proven that we can compete with the big guns and we come out on top…” she enthused.

Quite a number of people from media houses such as SABC and Primedia made the cut, including her ‘rival’, 567 Cape Talk presenter Africa Melani, who went head to head with her in a debate on the merits of community radio versus commercial radio. The keynote speaker at the event was Minister for National Planning, Trevor Manuel.

“I think the development of youth was one of the key factors in Minister Trevor Manuel’s speech as he put the National Development plan in place for 2030. The minister’s speech was geared towards motivating and inspiring us as the youth to become the leaders of tomorrow,” Arendse said. The ambitious reporter kept busy at the event by requesting an interview with Manuel, who promised to make himself available in August for an exclusive interview.

Arendse returns home with the accolade and a great career to look forward to. “If someone is going to Google your name they are going to see that your name was on the list. The list is pretty hot as people look out for it every single year.” exclaimed Arendse. VOC (Tashneem Abrahams)

Faceoff: Who deserves to be on our YSA list?

Another accolade on the cards for community radio

This article was first published on Voice of the Cape's website- www.vocfm.co.za

VOC’s feisty, award-winning producer and Breakfast Beat presenter Dorianne Arendse is up for another accolade of note after she made the shortlist of this year’s edition of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans. The newspaper supplement showcases young people who are seen to be making an impact in their fields, ranging from media to finance.Kat Pritchard, Editor of the M&G 200 Young South Africans list, was very interested in the fact that Arendse has carved her niche in community radio.

Being nominated along with many other individuals who are virtually big names in their industries was something of a surprise. “We see that age-old community versus commercial media argument taking place here. I firmly believe that community radio is a force to be reckoned with in their own right," she said. Arendse was nominated by VOC social commentator Riyaaz Ismail, a self-confessed Facebook and internet junkie. The Mail & Guardian then researched and tracked the information in the nomination, as well as her career path from her days as an intern at Bush radio to her work in Parliament.

Last year, she completed her BTech in Journalism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, while at the same time balancing her full time work at VOC. Arendse has a Vodacom Journalist of the Year award under her belt and also received special mention at the Taco Kuiper Awards for investigative journalism, two achievements which have opened up many doors for her.

"We competed against major role-players in commercial media and received top honours for our work in the Radio Feature category (at Vodacom awards), which just goes to show that there is a high standard of work coming from community too," she related. There are a number of factors which the selection committee takes into consideration before they decide.

“I had to fill out a questionnaire, so they can see what makes you tick in terms of politics and South African general knowledge. They look at your past achievements and career too. I did my in-service training at another community radio station, which often makes for more well-rounded staff. There are less people in employment, so people are often doing the work of more than one person.”

Arendse was initially notified about her nomination via email, but thought it was spam because of the “Congratulations” in the subject line. “It was only after I received the second email that I took note of the fact that the selection committee was actually trying to get hold of me. It is accolades such as these which make working in media worth it. Sometimes you feel despondent, but it is good to see there are some people who recognise the work we do.”

As part of the promotional campaign for Mail & Guardian, Arendse was featured in video with fellow nominee, 567/Cape Talk presenter Africa Melane, who went head-to-head with her in a discussion about the differences between community and commercial media. The funny skit can be viewed at

Arendse said she was elated about making the list, which will be revealed in Sandhurst, Johannesburg on Thursday, June 21. "It's an awesome feeling...and a great opportunity. I never would have expected something like this coming my way." VOC (Aqeelah Bawa)

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As winter settles across the country, the homeless and disadvantaged will be the first to feel the cold. According to a General Household survey conducted in 2009 by the Medical Research Council, approximately 11-million South Africans do not know where their next meal will come from and one in every five children under the age of nine will suffer from stunted growth as a result of malnutrition.

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"The unions made further movement of its position to 11.5% or R1750- whichever is greater and reduced its demand on the minimum wage to R5500," says Tahir Sema the spokesperson for SAMWU. According to Sema SALGA stuck to its previous wage offer of 4.5% without any adjustment to the minimum wage currently standing at R4620 per month.

"SAMWU will be embarking on intensive consultation with its members before the final round scheduled for mid June. This process will be made much more difficult given the intransigent stance by SALGA," says Sema. He adds that in any negotiations, it is important for parties to try to seek consensus. He says SALGA has shown no willingness to reach a possible settlement.

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