Beyond Women’s Month: Girl power continues to reshape more than just the media landscape
As Women’s Month draws to a close, the focus needs to shift to how the empowerment, upliftment, and protection of SA’s women is something that needs to be done year-round. Few are better suited to lead this charge than the formidable women of radio.
Jacaranda FM is the biggest bilingual broadcaster in South Africa catering for higher income audiences. A massive part of its success lies in the punching power of its strong and diverse female line-up, with its new MD, Deirdre King – a power player in the marketing and media space - adding to its impact.
“Jacaranda FM has come a long way since its primarily male, Afrikaans roots,” King says.
“Whilst the station has looked after, retained and grown this part of its listener market a retained strong male players in its talent pool, internal changes in recent years have seen more females – of a rich variety of cultural backgrounds – moving in behind the mic, as well as into senior management positions. The station’s content and listenership has followed suit – consistently growing in numbers and beautiful diversity.”
READ ALSO: Deirdre King named Managing Director of Jacaranda FM
King says that - with the power of the likes of Liesl Laurie, Elma Smit, Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp, Rozanne McKenzie, Kenzy Mohapi, Philicity Reeken, Carla MacKenzie, Pam Ditshego, Danny Painter, and Sascha van Gelder at one’s disposal – you have a responsibility to use their knowledge, talent, reach, and influence to change the lives of all South African women for the better.
Jacaranda FM celebrates womenHappy Women's Day!
Posted by Jacaranda 94.2 on Saturday, 8 August 2020
“More than the titles of radio presenters, former Miss South Africas, TV hosts, actresses, published authors, MCs, motivational speakers, influencers and entrepreneurs, you have daughters, sisters, partners, moms… FRIENDS who have their fingers on the pulse of the challenges, fears, hopes, dreams and aspirations of South African women of every creed and colour, both on and off air," she continues.
“Combine this with the Jacaranda FM women focused on CSI projects, research, news, promotions, events and other operational elements of the station and you’ll see that there’s an immense depth of skill, understanding and empathy here. Along with a wonderful opportunity.”
King says that this is a key part of why women’s interests are a major focus on the station, with interviews with ground-breaking female experts and champions of a cause, features on women who are rising stars, fights for women’s rights, helping women in need, women’s events etc. featuring regularly.
“An award-winning line-up is impressive and a great feather in our cap. Titles are amazing and we celebrate properly with those who earn them, but the powerful women of Jacaranda FM are about more. We’re about truly connecting with women in South Africa, really seeing them, really hearing them, understanding them, making their voices heard and making a practical, lasting difference. Not just on Women’s Day or during Women’s Month, but all year round," King concluded.