If you plan to start a radio station in South Africa you will have to obtain a broadcasting license from Independent Communications Authority of South Africa,which is authorized to issue licenses, manage frequency allotments, handle disputes, regulate broadcast content and all other related matters in this regard. The licensing authority is associated with The Department of Communications which empowers it to act as the regulator for all radio stations operating in South Africa.
They can be contacted at:
Phone: 27 (11) 566 3000/3001
Fax: 27 (11) 566 3000/3001
E-mail:info@icasa.org.za
Postal: Private Bag X10002 Sandton 2146
Obtaining a license is difficult in main urban centers because of high level of competition. But if you are applying for a license in semi urban centers and if you can put up a deserving license application, it is generally granted. Unlicensed broadcasting is illegal in South Africa.
With opening up of radio stations sector in 1997, You can now apply for starting a FM radio station (low power FM station or High Power F.M radio station), Community radio station or Christian radio station.
Community radio stations which cover a city specific broadcast radius are perhaps the easiest to set up and operate in South Africa.
As on date there are just 11commercial radio stations operating in South Africa, 6 of which are erstwhile Government owned radio stations which were privatized in 1997. Contrary to this there are hundreds of Community radio stations that operate in South Africa.
The license is normally granted for a period of 4 years . Sometimes the regulators also issue a 12 months temporary license which entails you to meet certain guidelines before it is converted into a full fledged 4 year broadcast license.
For more information about setting up a radio station in South Africa Visit our Home page
I would please like the information on how to obtain the licence to start a radio station.
I’d like to start a radio station,a community radio station mybe or a proper radio station.What do I need
Interested to start a community radio station, how can I be assisted?
Thank you
Jacobus
I would like to open a community radio station in Sterkspruit. We would like to revive the old Capitol Radio that was in Herschel. The building and the infrastructure is still there although windows have been vandalized. We would like to revive this as the main infrastructure is there.
I am Thabo Moshoalibe from Vrede in the Free State,I wish to start a Community Radio Station and I don`t know were to start and what are the requirements.
Thank You
As a project group in the Overberg we would like to obtain an application form as well as the procedure to launch a community radio station in our regeon
Hi I would like information on starting a Christian radio station covering a town in South Africa what would I need and what is the licence requirements?
I would like to start a community radio station in my area but have no resources. Where do I go and what do I need to present?
Hi
We have been trying to established a community radio station in Tshwane for the past 16 years but have always been informed that there were no frequencies available. We have since discovered that the 98.7 FM signal is available and not assigned to any radio station. We would therefore like to pursue the idea further. What do we need to do?
Kind regards.
Segale Aldrin Mogotsi
072 3622 862
I would like to start the community radio station in Lephalale, where do I start?
the place is developing but in terms of communication it’s still lacking behind.
What I am asking for is the procedures I have to go through in order to obtain a broadcasting licence. I want to start a community radio station in Soshanguve, Gauteng
Hi! my Bob Bisuta,I would like to base Radio station for the community in South Africa.what I need? where can I start?
Thank you for your free willing opened on Air for the freedom expression.
i can keep it going but how to start without finance its a big challenge in south africa especialy black youth
Hi, I would like to start a community radio station and can you please email me the information of whats need to obtain a license.
thank you
hi my name is phakiso and iam interested in starting a community radio station in ganyesa.i dont know where to start and where to get aid from so that i can persue my desire.
I would like to start a community raido station in my area ,what are the requirements?
Hi, I am looking into starting a radio station but find myself in need of the specific requirements, can you assist?