TV for the rural areas hit by cash freeze

The Rhodesia Herald,

December 17, 1977

RHODESIA’S country districts must wait for a television service until the present freeze on foreign currency is lifted, the director-general of RBC, Mr James Neill, said yesterday.

He was well aware of their isolation and of their need for a television service, he said. Mr Neill was asked to comment on complaints voiced by the Gwanda community about interference on radio transmissions and the lack of a television service. He said that since the installation of an FM transmitter in Gwanda that service was, so far as he knew, good. “I know the number of African listeners has increased greatly.”

On the delay in installing a television service in Gwanda, he said: “The answer is the foreign currency freeze.

“Gwanda is one of many places which have the same problems, the same isolation, and the same need of television. And of course we would love to satisfy them. But at this stage, and without being anywhere near even considering the priorities, the short answer is the lack of foreign exchange. Put simply, nothing can be done yet.” What Gwanda needed to give it a television service was the installation of a transmitter station at Balla Balla and one in Gwanda to receive the signal. The cost would be $65 000.  The secretary of the Gwanda Rural Council, Mr Malcolm Roach, said he was waiting for an answer from Mr Neill to his letter of November 29 about the community’s need for television service.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The lack of television services in Rhodesia’s country districts primarily due to economic restrictions on foreign currency that hindered the RBC’s ability to expand its broadcasting capabilities despite recognizing the needs and complaints of local communities.

Television services in Rhodesia was significantly impacted by economic constraints, particularly a freeze on foreign currency.

Neill, the director-general of the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), acknowledged the challenges faced by rural communities, such as those in Gwanda, who were experiencing both radio transmission interference and a lack of television service.