Edited by Robin Sewlal
The most important thing any potential reader of this compilation should bear in mind is the subtitle – Listening to the Listener. Long-time radio man, Robin Sewlal, has put together 100 reminiscences from various authors, academics and personalities, all giving freely of their thoughts on their radio experiences, whether they were actively involved in the genre, or as fans of the music, plays and discussions to be heard on radio.
I would have preferred more radio personalities talking about their experiences with well-known characters/household names and the part they played in making radio what it was (or still is), but that’s just my personal preference. Unfortunately, when so many of the contributors were listeners recounting the programmes they used to tune into, some of the reminiscences tend to meld into others as the subject matter can be pretty similar.
Be that as it may, the compilation is certainly interesting, and a memory jogger as so many programme titles, actors, presenters and DJs, along with all the songs mentioned, pop up to jog the memory, bringing up an era when radio was the only media genre available to the potential millions of listeners.
The compilation was conceived by Robin Sewlal to mark the 100th anniversary of radio in South Africa.
“There is a mesmeric charm about radio. The personalised, friendly style, the hallmark of the medium, is something quite special. My Radio Memory is a labour of love and project of passion. I was keen on a legacy book encapsulating stories from the key radio stake-holder: the listener.” - Robin Sewlal
“Wonderful to see my old-time stomping ground, Springbok Radio, punctuating numerous pages of the book that ought to find its way into homes, libraries and other institutions here and abroad. It sure is a must-have collection that extols the wide-ranging virtues of radio.” – From the Foreword by David Gresham.
Published by Radiocracy, Durban North, South Africa
ISBN 978-0-7961-7923-4
Copies can be ordered by emailing MyRadioMemory@radiocracy.co.za
The cost of R390.00 each includes delivery through Internet Express.
Proceeds from Book sales will go towards the Radiocracy Community
Outreach Programme (RCOP) as well as the Quest for Literacy Initiative. – Barry
Meehan
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