South African Community Radio Foundation to host a virtual Relief Fund Walkathon

There are thousands of volunteers in the community radio sector in South Africa. Some of these volunteers are unemployed yet they give their everything to community radio stations. At times, they have no food to eat at home or at work, no money to pay rent and only a few rands reserved for transport as that’s all they are offered at the radio stations.

Community radio stations only give volunteers stipends that cater for transport only. What you eat, how you pay your rent and what happens to your dependents is none of their business. Volunteers are still expected to report to the station daily and promptly! This also defeats the whole purpose of ‘volunteer’… you begin to be treated as an employee with a proper salary, yet you only have a transport stipend. Surely, even a volunteer needs a place to stay and food to eat too?

The South African Community Radio Foundation (SACRF) is hosting a virtual Relief Fund Walkathon to try to raise funds to assist the many struggling volunteers in the community radio sector.

“It’s important to highlight that the most significant reward is being able to make a difference to thousands of more than 5000 community radio volunteers,” says Phankha Sakoane, the Executive Director of SACRF, an organisation that estimates that there are more than 5000 volunteers within the sector. He goes on to say, “We will be working closely with the participating community radio stations to ensure proceeds from the event are used appropriately”.

The virtual Relief Fund Walkathon will take place on Sunday the 25th of October 2020. Tickets are available on championchip.co.za

Phanka says, “Make sure you get your race number before and your certificate after the virtual event! Your friends and family can follow your progress through Championship Africa, the official sports timing partner for the comrade’s marathon! You may be running alone but your run will make a difference to thousands!”

Phanka encourages all to take part in this fundraising walkathon as there indeed is need to help the thousands of volunteers in community radio.

Article written by Constance van Niekerk and originally published in afriquebeat.com