Singer Simz Masuku buoyant on new broadcasting role

RECENTLY, Matobo’s licensed community radio station, Bayethe FM went live on air, and up-and-coming singer Simz Masuku who has ventured into radio broadcasting was over the moon for being part of the ground-breaking ceremony.

The station placed in Kezi and housed next to the Magistrates Court (inside the TelOne Complex) will serve neighbouring districts with the expansion of the transmission radius imminent.

It joins Ntepe Manama FM (Gwanda), Bukalanga FM (Plumtree), and Lotsha FM (Beitbridge) in Matabeleland South Province that have been licensed.

Simz Masuku (real name Simphiwe Masuku), a creative born and bred in Matobo said he is pushing himself to do more than just music.

“I’m a dynamic creative with a vision to do more than just music. That has been my motivation to venture into radio broadcasting. I’m so excited to be part of the change within our area and be one of the voices from the hills.”

Recently, Simz Masuku attended a “Building Communities through Community Radio Broadcasting” training workshop facilitated by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) at Omadu Motel in Maphisa. He said the skills he learnt from the workshop will help him broaden his portfolio beyond music.

“I learnt a lot during the workshop and I’m ready to take on my new challenge. My job description will see me heavily engaged in quite a lot of things. These include being an activist for social behavioural change especially looking at gender-based violence issues, doing jingles for the station, and social media management. Lately, I’ve also been trying some news anchoring,” he said.

Simz Masuku is widely known for his vocals in the song, “Settimo Cielo” with guitarist, Reilo Viekk. His love for civic duty saw him travel to Harare to participate in the recent inaugural Creative Reproductive Health Arts For Transformation (Craft) Festival.

Zenzo Ncube who is one of the Matobo Community Radio Trust (Bayethe FM) founding trustees said the station has been well-received by the masses.

“Our community is very excited and impressed to have a local radio station that will be a development, communication tool, and source of entertainment. We will promote our artistes, culture and business community for both Matobo and Mangwe,” he said.

Ncube underscored the need for the community to be a united front and thanked those who made the milestone achievable.

“Most of the work undertaken has been funded by the trust. We are always on the hunt for donations, and here, and there, we do get a well-wisher chipping in. Local business Savemore has supported us as well as our MP (Edgar Moyo) who has given us support with logistics and transport,” he shared.

The establishment of Bayethe FM which broadcasts on 107.6 FM has resulted in the recruitment of a number of local people, a positive for the communities involved. — @MbuleloMpofu