South African radio host calls for cross-border musical exchange

Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

APPEALING for cultural unity and artistic collaboration, South African radio personality Alfred Chuene has extended an invitation to artistes from Zimbabwe to submit their music for airplay at Musina FM, the leading community radio station in the Vhembe District in Limpopo, South Africa.

This initiative aims to foster cross-border cultural exchange and revive the waning jazz genre in Zimbabwe, particularly Bulawayo.

Chuene, who has been a prominent figure at Musina FM since its inception in 2009, made this announcement during a discussion at Sabela Studios in Bulawayo on Sunday after attending the “Friends of Jeys Marabini concert.”

The event also featured renowned South African flutist and jazz veteran, Steve Dyer, which provided a perfect backdrop for fostering creative dialogue among artistes.

During his interactions with local musicians, Chuene recognised the urgent need to reignite the fading love for jazz in Bulawayo.

“More could be done to revive the slowly-fading love for the jazz genre in the precinct and one way is to open doors for local artistes to have their songs played on Musina FM. Radio stations in Zimbabwe play a lot of South African content, so it’s only fair to reciprocate,” he noted.

With his shows, “Jazz and Blues” and “Soft Touch”, Chuene has been a champion of both South African and Zimbabwean sounds, including the works of artistes like Thandy Dhlana, Louis Mhlanga and Jeys Marabini.

However, he expressed a desire for more content from Bulawayo.

“I have been pushing the Bulawayo and Zimbabwean sound, but I crave more. I’ve heard a lot of good music from this side and I urge them to submit their music for airplay,” he said.

In his quest to broaden his network, Chuene mentioned his collaborations with Beitbridge’s Lotsha FM and his intention to engage with presenters from Khulumani FM and Skyz Metro FM to share broadcast ideas.

He emphasised the importance of professionalism in the industry, lamenting the troubling trend of presenters demanding bribes for airplay.

“I vow to retain professionalism,” he assured attendees.

Affectionately known as “Jazzman,” Chuene invited local artistes to send their music submissions to [email protected] and [email protected]. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu