adminBongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
THE mining town of Zvishavane, which had no radio reception since independence in 1980, has assumed a fresh identity following the recent launch of a new community radio station, YA FM.
Locals have embraced the station which has been broadcasting for almost a fortnight now and has, in a short space of time, captured the hearts of many.
YA FM, which calls itself the Pulse of the Dyke, seems to be a hit in Zvishavane and the surrounding areas.
Chronicle Showbiz recently paid the station a courtesy call. On arrival to the premises, one is greeted by an attractive looking red and white building. Presenters at work can be seen from outside, through two glass windows, which is quite a fascinating sight.
During the afternoons, school children gather outside the studio to watch the presenters working. Once in a while, the YA FM staff invite those watching from outside into the station to see what is happening in the studio and have a feel of the environment.
At the reception, situated at the back of the building, there is a newsroom which is a hive of activity with reporters, presenters and programme managers coordinating the next broadcast and supplying those in the studio with information.
YA FM chief executive officer Munyaradzi Hwengwere said he was pleased with the community’s appreciation of the station.
“So far so good, obviously it’s still early but we’re humbled by the reception from the people within Zvishavane and surrounding areas. We get messages from people in Shurugwi, Mberengwa and parts of Filabusi and Gwanda saying they’re enjoying tuning in,” said Hwengwere.
He said during their consultations with the community, they learnt that people wanted to hear stories about themselves on radio.
“We want news to be generated from the community instead of us having to define what news is. The more programmes we have where people actually come to speak for themselves, the better. The more we get feedback from the community, the more they can tell their stories,” said Hwengwere.
The radio station mostly employed young and unsung professionals save for veterans Davies Mugadza and Prominance Makaza.
Hwengwere said they chose youths over experience in most departments because they are energetic and creative.
“Young people are very creative, and if you give them a platform based on the talents they have, they’ll shock you. If us as elders can direct and pave way for the young people to use their energies in a creative way, they’ll do wonders.”
“That’s why most of the presenters at the station are youths.”
Hwengwere said their first week of broadcasting was not smooth sailing as incessant power cuts by Zesa and baboons chewing their transmission cables had caused them sleepless nights.
He however, said, it was not all gloom as the baboon story that went viral through various international news channel caught the attention of Zimbabweans living in the diaspora who in turn, developed an interest in the station.
“Thanks to the baboon story, we’ve had a lot of people from outside the country asking if we’re live streaming. We’re live streaming and people who’ve an emotional attachment to Zvishavane are tuning in, which is a good thing for us,” said Hwengwere.
The radio station, launched by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa on September 25, is available to those within a 40km radius of Zvishavane on FM frequency 91.8.
It can be accessed by those out of Zvishavane and abroad by live streaming through the YA FM website – www.yafm.co.zw.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo