adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
DISCUSSIONS on bedroom romance have become a hit on Zimbabwe’s radio talk shows, with listeners participating candidly, sharing ideas about intercourse, an indication that sex forms one of the strongest pillars in relationships.
Talking openly about sex for some Zimbabweans has been considered taboo with biology lessons at school being the only sex education most people have received.
Issues of the bedroom are then left to be ironed out between the two parties involved who are clueless on how to do it and shy to discuss sex, leading to all sorts of problems such as infidelity and gender based violence.
In a bid to help couples solve their bedroom problems Star FM, two years ago introduced “Couple’s Hour” aired on Tuesdays and hosted by veteran broadcaster Tilda Moyo-Karizamimba and ZiFM Stereo’s “Love Lounge” hosted by Simba Kaparipari (DJ Eskay) on Wednesdays.
They broadcast from 9PM till 12midnight on their respective days.
In both shows, the final hour, where it is assumed that most children would be asleep, listeners and presenters share sexual strategies and techniques.
These candid talks about sex delve into what sexual positions men and women prefer, how they want to be touched to be sexually aroused and oral sex among a whole host of topics.
Moyo-Karizamimba said the programme had helped save many marriages.
“There’re many testimonies from couples who’ve listened to the programme and say their marriages were at the brink of collapse because of failure to perform in the bedroom. They said after listening to the programme, they go on and try out advice from other couples who contribute to the programme and it works,” she said.
She said she prefers experience over expertise when it comes to bedroom issues as experience is the best teacher.
“There was a caller who said he couldn’t get it up after the first round and wanted help from others. A man called and advised that after the first round he should dip his organ into cold water, then he’d have no problems thereafter,” said Moyo-Karizamimba.
“I then asked listeners to try it out and give me feedback the following week. When they gave me feedback all who said they tried it said it was the best method ever.”
She said plans were afoot to hold an outside broadcast of Couple’s Hour as listeners had requested her to do so.
“I’m getting invitations from listeners to come to their towns and cities and do an outside broadcast of the show. We’re still organising the modalities on when and where we shall hold the broadcasts but what I can assure them is that the programme is coming,” she said.
She said the show was a hit from day one and it remains popular with couples.
“Two years on the programme is still a hit and people call in and advise each other on bedroom issues. If a woman calls in, I talk to her and also want to talk to her partner. I want to make it balanced and interactive so as to help them both,” she said.
ZiFM’s Eskay said they explore the subject of sex because most divorces in the country are caused by bedroom issues.
“The divorce rate in the country is very high and according to statistics, it’s because of issues to do with the bedroom. Some people aren’t being satisfied by their partners and seek pleasure elsewhere. When they’re caught, it results in divorce. So the aim of the programme is to speak candidly about these issues,” said Eskay.
In a traditional African set up, aunts and uncles were tasked to speak to boys and girls openly about sexual matters. But with the advent of modernisation, that tradition has fallen off and there has been a gap, which Eskay said the programme was filling.
“The programme was produced to fulfil the role by aunts and uncles in society which has since fallen away. We speak to listeners freely about sexual issues and they also phone in and speak about their likes and dislikes,” said Eskay.
Asked if they had invited more mature persons as guests on the show, Eskay said they had done so but most were not forthcoming.
“I’ve invited people, that we think are mature enough to give sound advice about sex, on numerous occasions, but they all don’t pitch up. Maybe they’re uneasy about saying what they want to say on national radio, I don’t know,” said Eskay.
He said they aimed to reach people aged between 20 and 40 years who are more open minded.
“Even if we get an aunt or granny, their methods might not work because they’re more concerned with satisfying men. Women have evolved and come out of their shell and are expressing how they should be satisfied in bed,” said Eskay.
On his show two weeks ago, Eskay roped in a sultry voiced female guest presenter only identified as Sokostina to add a feminine touch to the show.
“Sokostina was brought in so as to have a woman to express what they want from men in terms of love and sex. I must say she is very popular with the listeners with how she expresses herself on the show as she has given insight as to what women want in bed,” said Eskay.
He said there were a lot of women who participated in the show with some looking for advice about love, sexual positions and romance with men not being many as they think they know everything about sex.
“Women comprise the bulk of the people who participate in the show with their requests of topics about love, sex and romance. Men on the other hand also write in but most of them say they don’t need advice on sex,” said Eskay.
Online Reporter