98.4 Midlands FM turns five

Sunday Life Reporter
THE biggest commercial radio station in the Midlands Province, 98.4 Midlands FM, is celebrating five years since its first live broadcast on 14 July.

The music station, which broadcasts from Gweru, serves a diverse group of listeners in the mineral rich province and has earned renown for promoting local musicians, bringing such acts as Skiddo Chikandamina, Samukoko, Nyasha David, Defeater King and Oxygen, among others to prominence.

Broadcasting in English, chiShona and isiNdebele, 98.4 Midlands FM caters for the cosmopolitan audience in the Midlands, with an array of interesting shows which include The Wake-Up Call hosted by the hyperenergetic Kim Sibanda and Reason Sekeremo. The duo has been a favourite with listeners, with their entertaining skits, puzzles and riddles were winners walk away with prizes winning audiences over.

Other shows to look forward to are Dandaro, hosted by Dynamite and The Drive hosted by DJ Vas and Ginge. From Monday to Thursday, during its talk time slot, the station hosts informative current affairs programmes that are hosted by Vincent Mhene, Catherine Masocha and Sukoluhle Ndlovu.

Speaking on 98.4’s anniversary, Station Manager Chengetai Murimwa said reaching the five-year milestone was significant for the fledgling station:

“It’s already five years since the station started its first live broadcast but it only seems like yesterday. It has been an incredible journey and the success of the station is owed to the staff, past and present, the advertisers to whom we are grateful for their continued support and our loyal listeners who keep supporting the station. We are looking forward to continuing growing together over the next five years,” said Murimwa.

Kim Sibanda the Assistant Station Manager in charge of Programming said they will continue striving to churn out quality programming.

“As a station we are focused on quality programming that entertains and educate listeners in Midlands and beyond,” said Sibanda.

She said the past five years the station’s programming has strived to give a dynamic combination of music, talk, sport and entertainment.

“Since half of our existence was characterised by at home listening due to the outbreak of the novel Covid-19 we are coming up with new offerings on air which will include corporate activations and fun events targeting our Midlands listeners,” said Sibanda.

98.4 Midlands FM is under AB Communications and its sister stations are ZiFM Stereo and Hevoi FM which broadcasts in Masvingo.