The Zimbabwe government is making strides in licensing community radio stations while working out modalities for their sustenance, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said on Thursday.
He was speaking during the launch of Bukalanga Fm, a local community radio station which predominately broadcasts in Kalanga.
Kalanga is recognised as an official language by the Zimbabwean Constitution of 2013 and is taught in schools in western parts of the country where its speakers predominate.
The Kalanga language is closely related to the Nambya, TshiVenda and KheLobedu languages of Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
Radio Bukalanga, which is broadcasting under frequency modulation (100.9) is the 10th community radio station to be licensed under the new dispensation led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The government has so far licensed 14 community radio stations as it moves to liberalizing the airwaves which previously were a monopoly for the national broadcaster.
Dr Muswere commended the Kalanga community for taking up the opportunity to be licensed to broadcast in their own language.
“People used to lament the lack of local platforms where they could discuss issues that affect them at community level. Radio Bukalanga therefore gives space and a voice to the previously marginalized communities on issues that matter to them,” he said.
He said community radio stations are run and managed by the people with specific focus on development.
“We see Bukalanga Radio Station as a vehicle for development and its amplification. We yearn to hear the voices of this community on this station, and to seeing a positive impact on community building and community development,” he added.
Speaking at the same occassion, Radio Bukalanga board chairperson, Ntando Dumani said they are grateful that the government has recognised them as a marginalised community which was lagging behind in terms of broadcasting.
“We are now on air which is a good move that will uplift our local communities,” he said.
“We being the 10th community radio to go on air, we promise to give people balanced, ethical, accurate and factual news,” he said.
Headman Mabhunu from ward 3 in Mangwe district also praised the government for licensing community radios as they were vital in promoting and preserving local cultures and traditions.
“This is a good development for our community. Now we have our own radio station which will give us local news and revive our culture,” he said.
Licensing of community radios dovetails with the Devolution policy which seeks to empower local communities to decide on development initiatives to prioritise.
Community radios play an important role in relaying localised information, including news, sports and weather forecasts that pertain to a particular area.
Source New Ziana
