Diamond FM dominates airwaves

Shame Isaki
Manicaland’s one and only radio station based in the provincial capital of Mutare, Diamond FM is already causing headaches to other electronic media players, especially radio stations after its powerful entry into the broadcasting sector a few months ago.

While Manicaland is one of the richest provinces in terms of mineral wealth, farming, timber production, academic excellence and scenic views, it has been lagging behind in terms of infrastructural development, a reason which has seen the province developing at a very slow pace despite its wealth.

The province still lacks such important infrastructure like an airport, standard stadia and other sporting facilities, a sound road network and even a state university ,instead of having one named after another province.

However, despite all these setbacks, the province and particularly the city of Mutare is excited to be host to one of the most promising and exciting radio stations in the country.

Diamond FM station which falls under the Zimpapers stable came about as a result of spirited efforts by the company’s management to win the sole licence that was available for a community radio station in Mutare.

While the plan was for Diamond FM to start broadcasting by June 2015, there was a delay which saw the station start with a signal test run in August 2015.

Then the station would only play jingles, advertising its coming, and music. Live broadcasting then started round October with limited time in shifts. Diamond FM station manager, Leander Kandiero, himself a veteran broadcaster with close to 14 years of continuous broadcasting, both on radio and television said he was excited to be part of the Diamond FM family and to be back home.

Kandiero, who was born here in Mutare did his primary education at Baring Primary School and his secondary at St Dominic’s.

He is married to Sofia and is blessed with three kids, two boys and a girl. Kandiero joined the then ZBC Radio 3 in 2001.He left Radio 3 which is now PowerFM in 2012 to join the country’s then only independent commercial radio station, StarFM which is also owned by Zimpapers.

They pioneered the launch of StarFM together with other veteran broadcasters like Comfort Mbofana, Innocent Tshuma, Admire Taderera, Tichafa Matambanadzo, popularly known as Tich Mataz and DJ Munya, Munyaradzi Mililo.

It is important to mention that Comfort Mbofana is now the general manager of StarFM. Asked whether it was not a step backward to join a community radio station, Kandiero said that it was a sign of growth for him and a challenging assignment to pioneer a radio station in a strategic city like Mutare.

Commenting on the public’s response or reception of Diamond FM, the veteran broadcaster said it was overwhelming and humbling.

He said the feedback was just encouraging and true to this writer was shocked to realise that Diamond Fm already has some religious listeners like Musiiwa Mutsinze, Usicah Mavhondo and Gladman Gabaza. These listeners confessed that they loved Diamond FM and were enjoying it.

Cecil Chireshe, a conductor also confirmed that he is a religious Diamond FM listener and added that it was refreshing to hear names of people you know being mentioned on radio live which made radio real.

Diamond Fm currently employs 13 presenters, the station manager included, and Kandiero said he was happy with the progress his team was making given that when the station started broadcasting it was only him who had broadcasting experience and most if not all of them are from Manicaland which fulfils Diamond FM’s pledge to employ and empower the local community.

Focusing on 2016, Kandiero promised listeners more time on the air, more exciting programming, live interviews, phone-ins, more news, weather updates and quality advertising for businesses who must grab this fantastic opportunity to grow their businesses by advertising on Diamond FM for very affordable rates.

For those who might want to listen to Diamond FM for the first time you can find them on 103.8mhz and I can promise you that once you listen to Diamond FM you will never want to listen to any other radio station, no wander why other radio stations are feeling the heat.

True radio is now in town.

Your exciting presenters like Mercy Ngwebvu, Barbra “Teardrop” Vhengedza, Tinashe Zilole, Dilion Sisimayi, Charlene Mataure, Christopher Sidhuna, Prudence Gwitirwa, Michelle Bwititi, Peter Madondo, Jabulani Mangezi , Nathaniel Mlambo, Washington Kamujekete , Hardlife Zuweni and Kandiero are ready to ‘feed’ you a quality audio diet.