Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
THE Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) will soon license 10 more community radio stations countrywide, bringing to 24, the number of such stations in operation.
This will enhance information dissemination to marginalised communities.
BAZ invited applications for the licences in General Notice 1504 of 2025 in terms of provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act.
“It is hereby notified that, in terms of section 10 of the Broadcasting Services Act, BAZ is inviting applications for licences to provide free-to-air community radio broadcasting service licences in the areas provided,” reads the invitation for applications by BAZ acting chief executive, Engineer Matthias Chakanyuka.
Areas where the licences will be issued include Chivhu, Gokwe-Nembudziya, Chivi, Marondera, Kanyemba, Sanyati, Dande, Makoni, Gutu and Uzumba-Maramba Pfungwe.
Eng Chakanyuka said, “free to air Community broadcasting service” means a free to air radio broadcasting service not operated for profit or as part of a profit-making enterprise.
The station must provide programmes for community purposes, be capable of being received by commonly available equipment and should not broadcast programmes or advertisements on behalf of a political party.
The application forms can be collected from BAZ offices in Highlands, Harare, or can be downloaded from its website.
The deadline for submission of applications is September 30.
The community radio stations already licenced include Radio BuKalanga (Bulilima), Matobo Community Radio Trust (covering Maphisa, Mangwe and Brunapeg) and Twasumbuka Community Radio Trust (covering Binga, Kamativi, Siabuwa).
Other radio stations already licenced from the Matabeleland region include Mbembesi Development Trust, trading as Ingqanga FM, Ntepe-Manama Community Radio Trust, Lotsha FM (Beitbridge) and Lyeja- Nyayi Development Trust (Hwange).
Under the first phase of the licencing of community radio stations, Government sought to provide marginalised communities a voice as most of them had no access to local stations.
Community radio stations have been described as a critical component of driving national development through providing communities a platform to air their views and be part of the national discourse.
The stations are also part of the implementation of the devolution process aimed at empowering local communities.
