Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
WITH a portable loudspeaker, Ms Fiona Sibindi popularly known in her town as “Umajahunda Amahle” has won the hearts of many in Gwanda with her remarkable voice which has seen her become a major relayer of public announcements.
If there is an important message that needs to be conveyed to people in their homes, Ms Sibindi shares it through a loud-hailer.
Born and bred in Gwanda, Ms Sibindi (40) who describes her announcing ability as a God given talent, made her first public announcement in 2019. Though she cannot recall the exact message, she remembers that it was from the Ministry of Health and Child Care. She became instrumental during the Covid-19 period as she delivered key messages from Government and other stakeholders to residents.
For Gwanda residents a public announcement does not have much impact if not delivered by Ms Sibindi.
She started off making public announcements for the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Gwanda Municipality but she is now being engaged by more stakeholders to deliver their announcements because of her immaculate voice. She only gets an allowance if she is announcing for a private organisation.
Ms Sibindi has been there during State functions such as Heroes and Independence Day, visits from the First Family and other key Government officials, clean up campaigns, health messages, disease outbreaks, Covid-19 awareness campaigns, family fun days, opening of shops, specials in shops among others. She moves around in a Gwanda municipality vehicle and users a hailer to share the announcements.
Ms Sibindi who is employed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and is based at a local clinic said when she started announcing it was just a hobby for her.
“When I started making announcements it was just something small for me. I thought I would just be making public announcements for them only. Slowly more stakeholders started approaching me seeking my services,” she said.
Ms Sibindi added: “Now I have become a key announcer of programmes taking place in town, both Government and private. My role is to move around residential and business areas in a Gwanda Municipality vehicle announcing the message to the public.”
She said her work as an announcer has helped to sharpen her mind and communication skills. Ms Sibindi said it has helped her to gain wide knowledge on current affairs. She said her job does not just involve reading out announcements because some residents, especially the elderly approach her seeking clarification.
Ms Sibindi said it requires her to have some background knowledge e on the topic she will announce before moving around the streets.
She said there are times when she needs to simplify the message further so that people understand it.
“It differs when I’m announcing in the CBD and residential areas. In the residential areas there are elderly people and children, so I need to simplify my message as much as possible. In the CBD we mostly find the elite and they catch on fast. In the residential areas people sometimes stop me seeking clarity,” she said.
“To be an announcer I think one needs to have a good speaking voice with clear diction. One also has to know how to adapt tones and delivery to suit the programming, message and intended audience. I didn’t learn this but it’s a God given talent.”
She said being an announcer was part of giving back to the community she grew up in. Ms Sibindi said information dissemination was a crucial role as an informed community is a better community.
She said she takes pride in making Government programmes a success and assisting to mobilise people through announcements. Ms Sibindi said residents are kept informed because of her work.
It takes about two to three hours for to cover the entire town depending on the length of the message. She said she has been popular especially with kids who run after the car whenever she is making an announcement.
“I have so much respect for my community and that is why when addressing them on the hailer I call them “Amajahunda Amahle” which is translated as “lovely people of Gwanda”. People have then nicknamed me “Umajahunda Amahle” and I’m now used to that. A lot of people don’t even know my real name but they know me by that name. It’s good to be known for the good you are doing in the community,” Ms Sibindi said.
A resident from Gwanda, Ms Loveness Ncube said while there were other announcers in the town, she prefers Ms Sibindi because of the manner in which she does her work.
Ms Ncube said Ms Sibindi’s messages have so much clarity and emphasis that help even children understand.
“I have nothing against other announcers but I prefer Umajahunda Amahle. When she is announcing she doesn’t hold back, she gives it her all. Her voice has so much clarity and she simplifies her messages well. Whenever another person announces people in my area have a tendency of shouting out that they want Umajahunda Amahle,” said Ms Ncube.
Another resident, Mr Dingane Moyo said Ms Sibindi’s voice had the right “volume” to cover a wide area. He said she was loved by all age groups.–@DubeMatutu
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter