Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
THE Government will continue licensing more community radio stations around the country as they play a crucial role in driving development and ensuring the attainment of Vision 2030.
To ensure that everyone has access to information, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services undertook to license community radio stations from 2021.
Since then 14 community radio stations have been licensed and this has gone a long way in cementing the Government’s move to liberalise the airwaves, guided by the objective of re-centrering the agency of news making and information sharing from Central Government to the remotest communities.
Speaking on the side-lines of the commissioning of Twasumpuka FM, the first community radio station in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province last week, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana said community radio stations play a huge role in stimulating development.
“President Mnangagwa delivers what he promises, he does not make empty promises. He promised people that the Government will engage with them, there will be channels of communication between them and the Government and the people among themselves, to drive development, to stimulate, this is a testimony to that.
“The opening of the airwaves continues, there will be more licences issued, there will be more opening of radio stations. The people of Binga are now informed of what is happening within their district and also they will be informed of what is happening nationally. These community radio stations bring people together, because when you listen that will be the rallying point,” said Mr Mangwana.
He said in the year ahead they would also be working on commissioning more community radio stations as well as licensing others.
“While we launch more community radio stations, nationally and license more, we are going to expand the transmission network. For example, Binga has 25 wards, we are leaving a few wards out because Twasumpuka was give three frequencies and so far we are using just one, we need to use one in Siabuwa and the other in Kamativi so that no Tonga community will be left behind,” said Mr Mangwana.
Twasumpuka FM station manager Mr Baido Ndlovu lauded the support they had received from the community, revealing that they contributed money which helped them meet all the required obligations which eventually led to them successfully launching the station.
“Twasumpuka is a Tonga phrase which means we have developed, we have really been dignified. We were licensed in September 2021 but we only went on air on 6 August 2023, all along we were still running around working on fulfilling some of the requirements by the authorities and also to capacitate volunteers who are our broadcasters
“The journey has been very exciting and encouraging because whenever we faced any problem we looked to the authorities, negotiated well with them. Our community has also been very instrumental in the success of this station. The community showed love for this station by contributing money when we were in the process of establishing, some were even selling their goats to contribute towards the licensing fees,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He noted that the station would go a long way in resolving the information gap which previously existed in Binga.
“The BaTonga people initially had no access to information, so this station is one of its kind. Broadcasting in Tonga, we will be delivering programmes in the local language. The presenters have been capacitated, the Zimbabwe Media Commission has also accredited all the volunteers.We are confident that they will be driving the vision of the station,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere launched the radio station last week.
Online Reporter