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Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE days of Zimbabweans relying on content from foreign countries are over as the Second Republic has opened up airwaves and licensed 14 community radio stations to broadcast in their own languages.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, during the launch of Beitbridge’s community radio station which broadcasts mainly in Tshi Venda language.
The radio station, Lotsha FM, is found on the 90.1 frequency and covers a radius of 60km from the border town. The minister said the licences for community radios were language based and so far five community radio stations have been successfully launched. These include Avuxeni in Chiredzi, Ntepe Manama in Gwanda, Chimanimani FM in Chimanimani, Nyangani FM in Nyanga.
She said more stations will be operational in due course and that nine more campus-related radio stations had been licensed at various academic institutions countrywide. Minister Mutsvangwa said the opening up of the air waves will make sure that no one is left behind on national developmental matters which should start from grassroots level.
“We have had a situation where communities in border line had struggled to receive radio signal and accessing domestic content from Zimbabwe. As the Second Republic we have turned another page and have licensed 14 community-based radio stations to give our citizens across the country a voice. Every community should access content on various issues including government programmes, community development, public health and crime, among other things in their own language.”
The launch was held concurrently with the belated World Radio Day celebrations which were held at Dulivhadzimu stadium. The World Radio Day was marked last Tuesday. The Minister said some communities in the border areas had endured years of weak or no radio signal and had to rely on other countries for reception.
She said the government was on overdrive to implement its digitisation policy to ensure there was total broadcasting coverage in the country.
“Today’s event is more than the celebration of the World Radio Day as we also officially launch the Beitbridge Shashe Community Radio Station, popularly known as Lotsha FM. Indeed, community radio platforms have become a key historical mark of His Excellency, President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic. True to his promise of servant leadership and being a listening President, he listened and granted you the community radio station you applied for.”
She continued; “To give a context to this day, let me say, the World Radio Day celebrates radio as the mass medium of communication which has the greatest and widest audience reach in the world”.
The Minister added that radio was a powerful tool for sharing information and that the one who gets a radio license gets the envious chance to inform, entertain and educate the world.
The World Radio Day, she said was set aside to celebrate radio broadcast as well as improve international cooperation between radio broadcasters. She said community based radio stations were a special purpose vehicle to drive development from the grassroots level in line with devolution concept.
She added that community radios were also important in preaching the message of peace as the country gears up for this year’s harmonised elections. In terms of making sure the radios remain sustainable, the minister said community members should work together and pool resources to develop their areas, anchored on one major vision that binds them through their own language.
She also challenged radio broadcasters to uphold highest professionalism as they educate and inform the nation on the need to maintain peace and tranquillity.
“You will realise that the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa is calling on all political players to come together under (Political Actors Dialogue) to work towards rebuilding the nation in a peaceful manner. This is what a statesman does, he calls for peace, so please, I implore all of you gathered here and especially radio presenters to follow the example set by His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She also commended various media development partners for continuously supporting the government’s efforts to eradicate polarisation in the media sector. In separate interviews, the Beitbridge community commended the government for fulfilling its pre-election promises made in 2018 of opening up airwaves to more players.
Mr Ntshavheni Simutha Ndou said the launch of the radio station was a historic milestone for the Beitbridge community.
“We are grateful to the government, this is a dream come true for most of us,” he said.
A presenter at Lotsha FM, Babongile Mudau Gora said the opening of a new radio station had created opportunities for presenters, artists, journalists to nurture their talent. She said the troubles of seeking employment or airplay for budding artists from the area had been reduced.
Online Reporter