More community radio stations to be licenced in 2024
THE Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (zacras) celebrated its 20th anniversary in Harare yesterday as it joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Radio Day.
The event held at a local hotel ran under the theme, “Radio a century of informing, educating and entertaining.”
Various stakeholders converged at the symposium to increase the scope of community radio stations and promote active participation of marginalised groups in democracy and governance throughout the country.
With 14 community radio stations having been licenced in Zimbabwe so far, the Parliamentary portfolio committee representative Honourable Gift Mambipiri said more radio stations will be licensed and challenged them to remain relevant.
“There is need to licence more community radio stations and after a meeting with broadcasting stakeholders, we are proud to inform you that as this year progresses, 20 radio stations are to be licenced.
“At 20 years as Zacras we need to think strategically and choose our battles wisely. Let us create a lasting impression on radio such that when we leave the community will remember us. Back then broadcasters were simply keen on registering their presence on the ground, and on influencing legislation and licensing,” he said.
Citing the challenges community radio still face in 2024, Hon Mambipiri said, “In 2024 we need to go beyond the basics of radio, let us discuss challenges to do with sustainability, how do we sustain our community radio initiative?
“How do we remain relevant to our community and how do we leave a mark in the daily lives of our people in our society? If we can answer these basic questions’, then fate of the radio stations that faded away in 1980 will not haunt us.
“The battle and war cry for community radio stations is recognised in Zimbabwe,” he said.
ZACRAS national coordinator Sandra Mazunga the said there was need to recognise the power of community radio stations.
“We need to look at the role of community radio stations in promoting active participation of marginalised groups in democracy governance. There is also need to exploit innovative strategies for amplifying the voices of marginalised communities through community radio stations. Zacras believes that community radio stations are a tool for development,” she said.
However, various community radio station narrated challenges which they were facing.
Claris Madhuku from Vemuganga community radio station expressed his gratitude for the licensing of their community radio station but however pleaded for more help for them to be able to run the station successfully.
“I am very happy to say we are one of the 14 community radio stations that was recently licenced by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. However, we are pleading with media stakeholders to come together and help us in the smooth flow of our broadcasting. Despite our community radio station being licenced, we have challenges which we face and these includes sustainability. As a community radio station, we need to be independent in terms of what we broadcast to our community, it should be of interest to people in our society.
“We are also pleading with the Government to have a wider geographical coverage. This will help us to have more adverts for us to be able to sustain our station,” he said.
Yvonne Buzwane the station manager for Bukalanga said; “We are glad to have our community radio station which covers different issues within our community. As a community radio station, we have challenges that needs to be addressed.
“Sometimes we experience power cuts and be unable to broadcast. Sometimes when the power comes, it burns our equipment and we are yet to have technical personnel to repair them. It’s unfortunate we do not have funding to cater for the station for at least three years till we are able to sustain ourselves,” she said.