Radio Licensing Brings Hope To Women

By Steve Ephraem

Women in Chipinge South and Musikavanhu constituencies are excited by the news that two of their community radios have been licensed.

The Government of Zimbabwe through Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has licensed Ndau Community Radio (known as Ndau FM) and Vemuganga Community Radio.

Ndau FM, whose studio is at Garahwa, shall cover Garahwa and Mahenye areas as Vemuganga FM, whose studio shall be at Chibuwe shall focus on Chibuwe and surrounding areas.

Speaking on the sidelines of a two-day capacity building workshop held for Ndau FM at Checheche by BAZ in collaboration with Perch Media and Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) on 22 and 23 September 2021, youth in Chipinge indicated that the radio establishment shall help ease employment problem.

“The radio station shall help female youth like me find some work to do and also help reduce early child marriage by both employing female staff and airing program which are themed at discouraging early child marriages,” said Ropafadzo Sithole.

“Our society is full of some men who lack respect for women. I am happy that we have been empowered as women since we shall make sure that we participate in radio programs that deal with Gender Based Violence,” said Gamuchirai Gavaza Zembe.

Addressing delegates during the workshop, BAZ senior lawyer, Joyce Kupukai indicated that the radio station should be run by the community itself on voluntary basis.

“You are expected to provide sufficient coverage of community, regional and national news and events in languages spoken within that community; and empower the community through sharing of knowledge and information relevant to that community.

“A community radio should present programmes which promote law and order and ensure that its programming is reflective of all key interests within that community. Since it is non-profit making, the station is expected to be run by volunteers from the community,” said Kupukai.

During the workshop, participants managed to produce two programs in Ndau language. Thirty members of Ndau FM who included Chief Garahwa (represented by his aide Amos Garahwa) attended the workshop.

Mlondolozi Ndlovu from ZACRAS, Engineer Mathias Chakanyuka from BAZ, Munyaradzi Chimwara from The Perch Media, Engineer Zvidzai Mazuruse from BAZ and Collen Magubeya from The Perch Media took turn to facilitate during the workshop.