Online Reporter
Ray Bande-Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE joined the rest of the globe in commemorating the International Day for Universal Access to Information at a colourful event held in Garahwa Village in Chipinge District, where Ndau FM Community Radio Station was officially launched.
Every year on September 28, the world comes together to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
In his speech, guest of honour, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, said the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which was proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015 and later recognised by the United Nations in 2019, is a reminder of a simple but powerful truth that information is not a luxury.
“It is a right. It is your right. It is a right that is protected in our own Constitution”.
“It is a day for all of us — Government, communities, the media, and every stakeholder — to ask ourselves: Is information reaching everyone? Is it timely? Is it relevant? And most importantly, can people understand it?”
This year, the theme for the International Day for Universal Access to Information is: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age”.
“In a world where news travels faster than ever, and where Artificial Intelligence can create and spread information in seconds, this theme is a powerful reminder. It reminds us that we must not only have access to information, but we must be able to trust it.
“But let me be clear: access to information is not a privilege. It is a fundamental human right. Without information, how can our people fully participate in building their communities and their country? And without information in a language people understand, can we truly say they have access? The answer is no,” he said.
The coming in of Ndau FM saw villagers on the border of Chipinge South constituency and surrounding areas being weaned off neighbouring Mozambican communication services.
The launch of the Ndau FM community radio station coincided with the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which was commemorated at the same event.
Minister Soda said: “For many years, communities in this area relied on communication services from our neighbours in Mozambique. The launch of Ndau FM is therefore a huge step forward. It brings information services closer to you and strengthens your access to information. This achievement is a clear sign of the Government’s commitment to Vision 2030—to build an empowered and connected society where no community is left behind.”
The Minister said the establishment of Ndau FM also came with other benefits to the local communities, such as connectivity to Zimbabwean mobile networks.
“The story of Ndau FM is a perfect example of our national mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.’ This station is not something that was just given to you. It is something you have built with your own hands. It is a station that the community owns and can use to drive its own development. This is what happens when a community takes ownership of its future. You become active partners in building our nation.
“When we installed the transmission tower for Ndau FM, something extraordinary happened. That infrastructure became a foundation for other development enablers. The mobile network operators (MNOs)—under the able leadership of my colleague, the Honourable Minister Mavetera—were able to ride on that infrastructure. They brought mobile connectivity to this community, using the tower that was built for this radio station.
“But that is not all. The tower and the presence of the radio station also attracted other essential services. A road was developed. Electricity came. What started as a simple radio station has become a magnet for the kind of development that communities need to thrive,” he said.
Dr Soda said the mobile network operators who are now here, riding on the infrastructure that was built for Ndau FM community radio station, are a testament to the power of community radio to transform lives.
“This is what it means when we say community radio is a catalyst for development. It is not just about broadcasting. It is about bringing services and development enablers to the people. It is about creating the conditions for communities to grow and prosper.
“The mobile network operators who are now here, riding on the infrastructure that was built for this radio station, are a testament to the power of community radio to transform lives. Under the leadership of Minister Mavetera, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology is ensuring that the benefits of digital connectivity reach every corner of Zimbabwe. This partnership between community radio and mobile network operators is a shining example of what we can achieve when we work together,” he said.
Minister Soda said community radio is one of our most important tools in bridging the gap between our cities and our rural areas.
“That is why the Government, through Statutory Instrument 39 of 2020, deliberately opened the airwaves for community radio stations. We recognised that communities need their own platforms — platforms where they can speak, listen, and be heard.
“Community radio is one of our most important tools in bridging the gap between our cities and our rural areas.
“We want the benefits of the information society to reach every corner of Zimbabwe, no matter where you live or what language you speak,” he said.
“This is what it means when we say we will leave no one and no place behind.
“Let me now turn to something that I believe is truly remarkable. This community radio station is not just a platform for information. It is a catalyst for development,” he said.
Honourable Zhemu said Ndau FM will ensure that locals will get news that is accurate, timely, and relevant, presented in the language you understand.
“We are living in an age where information is more powerful than ever. It is the age of Artificial Intelligence, where fake news and manipulated information can spread across the world in seconds. This makes the role of a trusted community station like Ndau FM absolutely vital.
“Ndau FM can be a bridge between you and credible information. It can ensure that you get news that is accurate, timely, and relevant, presented in the language you understand. In this digital age, universal access must go hand-in-hand with information integrity. You must not only have access to information; you must have access to information you can trust—information that helps you make the best decisions for your family and your community.
“What makes today so meaningful is that this station was not just built for the community. It was built with the community. It is a radio station by the people, with the people, and for the people.
“This station was established to share social, economic, cultural, and environmental information in the Ndau language, for the benefit and development of Ndau-speaking communities. This is where the principle of universal access to information becomes real.
“It becomes real when a farmer in Garahwa hears agricultural advice in a language he understands. It becomes real when a child learns something new in their mother tongue.
“And it becomes real when a community receives a timely warning about a cyclone, a flood, or a disease outbreak in a language they understand. That information can be the difference between life and death,” said Honourable Zhemu.
Speaking during the same event, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services of Zimbabwe is Hon. Dingumuzi Phuti, pledged to facilitate connectivity to some areas within the constituency that are still facing challenges.
“Allow me to make this undertaking here, Honourable Soda Zhemu. I was informed by Cde Enoch Porusingazi that areas such as Chisuma, Gumira and Chinyamukwakwa are still not connected, and villagers have challenges accessing local networks. Therefore, I am promising you now that this will be a thing of the past very soon. I have also been informed that the local school, Garahwa Primary School, does not have ICT gadgets. I once again promise you that I will facilitate a donation of computers and connectivity gadgets, especially Starlink, very soon,” said Honourable Phuti.
Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who was represented by Director Policy Coordination Mr Joseph Mashingaidze, thanked President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership for creating an enabling environment that has resulted in more radio stations opening in the province.
“The people of Manicaland will remain grateful to President Mnangagwa’s able leadership
for creating an enabling environment that has resulted in more radio stations opening in the province. The provision of mobile networks through the establishment of Ndau FM is clear testimony of the Second Republic’s determination in its development agenda,” he said.
In his speech, Chipinge Rural District Council chief executive Mr Blessing Mavhosha pledged continued support to Ndau FM.
“As a local authority, we are proud to have been associated with the formation and establishment of Ndau FM when we provided space for the construction of the station.
“We will continue finding ways of supporting Ndau FM so that it fulfils its mandate, which is important to us as we seek to develop our largely remote area,” he said.
Development partners UNDP and UNESCO representatives who spoke on the occasion, congratulated the Garahwa community and applauded them for their cooperation and resilience exhibited in the process of establishing the community radio station.
The launch of Ndau FM, which was marked by pomp and a funfair as locals celebrated the community achievement, saw several high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe, Transmedia, Zimpapers, ZBC, ZACRAS and others gracing the occasion.
