Chronicle Editor
Ashley Phiri and Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Writers
LICENSED community radio stations are facing several challenges that hinder them from fulfilling their mandate, the National Association of Community Broadcasters Zimbabwe has said.
This comes as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Radio Day. The day is an opportunity to celebrate radio as a medium. It is a day to promote international cooperation between radio broadcasters and encourage networks among local radio stations.
Popularly referred to as the medium of Africa because of its easy accessibility and affordability including its nature of providing edutainment through music and engaging conversations, radio has been the medium of choice for most people.
This year’s theme, ‘Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating’, underscores radio’s ongoing evolution in a digital age.
For Zimbabwe, the day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress registered in establishing radio stations and is coming at a time when Government has licensed 14 new community radio stations.
In addition to the community radio stations, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has also licensed nine campus radio stations across the country as the Second Republic walks the talk in terms of liberalising the airwaves.
Some of the gains of licensing community radio stations have already been realised, particularly during last year’s harmonised elections when community radio stations provided information that assisted voters to make informed decisions.
The spokesperson and coordinator for the National Association of Community Broadcasters Zimbabwe, Ms Yvonne Bhuzwane who is also Radio BuKalanga station manager, commended the power of radio.
“As community radio stations, we are blessed to have different communities licensed with radio stations that can help us empower our communities, have their voices heard, promote public participation and promote our cultures and languages which were almost dying,” she said.
Bhuzwane said the Kalanga language was almost dying but since the community radio station started broadcasting, a lot has been happening.
“Culture festivals have been making a difference and other organisations have started working with us to send information to our communities,” she said.
Ms Bhuzwane said community radio stations are facing several challenges and need financial support to improve their operations.
“While we celebrate the many gains recorded, we are however facing many challenges centred mainly on shortage of resources. We also have mobility and network coverage issues as our coverage is limited and we have no vehicles to reach all the areas in our communities,” she said.
Ms Bhuzwane said the other challenge is that the terrain is very difficult to navigate and when the station attempts to get content on the phone, the network is bad making it difficult to communicate.
She also appealed to BAZ and Transmedia to provide the proper infrastructure required to increase their coverage.
“They should improve transmission because some areas only have a 5km radius transmission. There is a need for those licensing us to provide the required infrastructure to enable us to cover a radius of between 40 to 80 km,” she said.
Community radio stations also bemoaned high rentals and lack of capacity building programmes to sharpen their skills.
The national Radio Day Celebrations are set to be held in Binga next Tuesday which will also coincide with the official opening of the Twasumbuka FM Community Radio Station.
Online Reporter