Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
IT has been a transformative year for the Hwange community as Lyeja FM has done a great deal in preserving the Nambya culture and language as well as nurturing nascent musicians who previously couldn’t compete for slots on national radio stations.
Lyeja FM is one of the 14 community radio stations which was licensed by Government and has become a shining example of Government’s inclusive development after giving a voice to the local community.
The radio station last month celebrated its first anniversary with the station management reaffirming its commitment towards bridging the information gap, through informative programmes, news and giving the community the opportunity to discuss issues concerning their social life and development.
Lyeja station manager Mr Thulani Mnyandi told Sunday News in an interview that as they celebrated their first anniversary, their main aim was to bring the Hwange community together so that they share the success stories of the station and also highlight challenges being faced by the community. He said they were happy that they managed to achieve that goal.
“The station celebrated its first anniversary on the 22 December 2023. Lyeja is a Nambya term which means kusile in Ndebele, kwayedza in Shona. The station went on air on 16 December 2022 and is among the 14 community radio licensed by the Government.
“Lyeja FM is helping the community by bridging the information gap, through informative programs, news and giving the community opportunity to discuss issues concerning their social life and development. Our programming is community oriented using the local languages Nambya, Chidombe, Nyanja and Ndebele. Most of our programmes are on development, giving the voice to women through our programmes which focus on empowerment, youth programmes and programmes which preserve our culture and language,” said Mr Mnyandi.
Local artiste Mr Christoppher Tshabalala who sings with Gamba Express reflected on the one year journey they have travelled with the station, describing it as one which has empowered and enhanced their art.
“I gained a lot as a musician. My music is now played on a daily basis at the station which is a feat which was never there before. Our fans now have access to our songs which was difficult before this radio station was established. I also have held live interviews at the station exposing myself to the Hwange community singing in their own language which they understand.
“With Lyeja FM we will go a long way in exhibiting our talents as local artistes. I pray that the station may have more coverage to cover the whole of Hwange district. It is now possible to hold shows in Hwange because of the exposure I get from Lyeja FM through playing my songs,” said Mr Tshabalala.
The station has 10 presenters and a team of the secretariat appointed by the board runs the day to day operations of the station. Government has licensed at least 14 community radio stations across the country, with emphasis on locals being the custodian of their own narrative in the national development agenda. The community radio stations are also helping preserve culture through use of local languages. – @nyeve14.
Bongani Ndlovu