If amateur is making with love, Dr. Joaquin Manuel da Fonseca, founder and director of Radio Clube de Monsanto (RCM), is a true amateur. In fact, the passage of the RCM can never be dissociated from the work and dedication of its director. Dr. Joaquin Manuel da Fonseca helped building the history of this radio station, and we still owe him the birth and the enlargement of it. Although he exerted the teaching activity for many years, the passion for the media and in special for radio always spoke higher.

In 1962, he became a radio producer speaker for  Radio Altitude da Guarda, city where he graduated from high School.

In 1969 he leaves to Timor on military service, where he stays until 1972 and where he also exerts many activities in the area of education and the media, namely service to the Official Broadcasting Station in Dili.

When he returns to the metropolis, intercalates his teaching with his professional activity with the publication of some books and activities in politics (was elected in 1979 as an Alderman for Idanha-a-Nova City Council).

Consolidated in Monsanto lands he organizes many activities related to folklore and other cultural values. In 1984 he is elected President of Monsanto’s Casa do Povo, and stills up till today. Since 1996 he´s also Executive Director of a Traditional Musical Group “ Adufeiras de Monsanto”.

In 1984 he becomes co-founder of the Beira- Interior Amateurs Radio Association, being later elected President of the Association’s Board.

Is in 1985 that he founds RCM for the "defence and promotion of Portuguese music and traditional values". Since then he is president and director of this popular broadcasting station. In 2003 acquires the totality of the quota "Monsantorádio", owner of the RCM License, becomes the only partner and Executive Manager.

Made numerous interviews to entities and individualities of the cultural life and politics, famous writers like Fernando Namora, Odette de Saint Maurice and Fernando Reis, the painter Mestre José Manuel Soares and the actor Fernando Curado Ribeiro, many Presidents of City Councils in Castelo Branco district, Professor Anibal Cavaco Silva, Engº Eurico de Melo, Professor José Hermano Saraiva, Dr. Arons de Carvalho, S. João Theatre Director and Dr. Ricardo Pais, Henrique Mendes , Professor António Frade, etc..

He was also collaborator in many newspapers such as “Luz da Beira”, “Correio da Beira”, “A Guarda”, “Raiano”, “Reconquista”, “Notícias da Covilhã”, and many others.

This vast professional experience, which is not reduced into one area in particular, constitutes without a doubt as a benefit to the RCM, putting all this is not just the RCM we congratulate but also its Director for all the years of dedication and work invested in the radio broadcasting throughout more than four decades.

SOFIA CARLA PIRES TAVARES