Southside FM radio presenter Revathi Pillay is more than just a familiar voice on the airwaves.
She is also heavily involved in helping youth in Durban and surrounding areas, navigate life through her radio show, “Youth Unplugged”.
Pillay, who is an IT specialist by profession, dedicates her free time to her Saturday show, where she has created an insightful, educational, motivational and entertaining programme that gets kids and teenagers involved.
Her aim is to help them become well-rounded individuals by educating them about topical issues like depression, social media, bullying, career opportunities, grooming and personal hygiene among other things.
“There are many children out there who do not have guidance from parents, or don’t have parents at all. They have to figure out for themselves things like how to shave or how to use a sanitary pad for the first time. Things we take for granted,” she said.
“My show is for the youth, by the youth, so we have discussions on everything concerning them,” said Pillay.
She offers personal advice and hosts guests who offer professional advice. She also invites youngsters to also join in.
Since joining the station in May 2022, she’s gone on to become the station’s youth ambassador, offering a helping hand where needed.
Her love for radio started at the age of 11.
“I love radio, I always get a rush when I speak in public and get my message across.
“From the time I was 11, I would go to the postbox and get the community newspaper, run to my room and record my voice. All I wanted to do was sound and be like the lady on CNN,” she said.
When Pillay completed school she furthered her studies in media and production and interned at the SABC, but left for a while to study IT.
It wasn’t long before she was pulled back into the media industry when the opportunity to work at Southside FM came around.
“13 years ago there was talk about opening up a radio station, and I suggested the name, Southside, so it’s very special for me to be working at the station, because I named it.
“At that time I wanted a radio station, I obviously didn’t have the capital so I just gave them the name and forgot about it.
“In February 2022, I heard about the station opening. I was interviewed. They asked what I wanted to do, and I said that I could see the gaps, I could see youngsters falling apart with the level of high teenage pregnancies and drug abuse in our communities, I knew I could make a difference.”
“They believed in me and I started my show in May 2022. I became the young ambassador soon after. I used the platform to start engaging with the youth.”
Prior to the show, Pillay said that she did research to find out what challenges youth in each community faced.
“I learnt that Umlazi sits with challenges from drug abuse and crime, Chatsworth has the highest number of teenage pregnancies and, Phoenix has drug abuse, and so on.”
“With help from the station and the community, I am able to initiate various initiatives within communities, other than just through the show. having my show.
“I’ve done motivational talks and we’ve done sanitary pad drives. We speak to youth about personal hygiene. Again, it’s not everybody that knows. In our urban areas there are girls that are still staying at home for five days because they can not afford sanitary pads.
“There are boys who are not aware of their personal hygiene. As they are growing, as teenagers and reaching puberty, these things need to be taught.
“The community and listeners believe in the show. Even if its just a small wish from a child, we try to make it happen. That’s what I want to create, memories where kids are able to just experience something special, and know that there is hope.”
Due to her outstanding community work, Pillay was also selected by the Consul General of India in South Africa to attend a media and journalism course in Hyderabad, India.
“It was an eye opener. It taught me a lot about how to give back to the community. I spent two weeks in Hyderabad and and half a week in Delhi. One thing that stood out for me was when I was told that community radio is 99 percent community and one percent radio, and that is what I live by,” she ended.
Tune in to Pillay’s “Youth Unplugged” on Southside FM, every Saturday from 9am to 12pm.