Hwange community radio station on cards

Hwange(New Ziana) – A senior government official has called on communities in Hwange to organise themselves and be ready to apply for a community radio licence when applications are invited shortly by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

In a speech read on his behalf at a radio sensitization meeting here, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana said government will shortly licence community radio stations in various parts of the country to ensure the voice of every Zimbabwean is heard.

The Ministry’s chief director, Chrispen Makoni delivered the speech on Mangwana’s behalf at the DA Complex in Hwange, one of a series of meetings the Ministry is holding throughout the country to sensitize and prepare communities for the radio licencing project.

“There are six national radio stations, 10 commercial radio stations and in order to ensure universal access, the Ministry has embarked on Community Radio Programs which will see marginalized communities receiving information and having their voices heard,” Mangwana said.

He said government was keen on ensuring that every Zimbabwean, however remote they lived, had access to information, and communication platforms to contribute ideas for national development.

The community radio project will be piloted in 10 communities initially, and Hwange had been chosen as one of the first beneficiaries, he said.

“The Hwange community was chosen to be one of the first communities to establish a community radio station because the Nambya language is one of the 16 official languages in the Constitution,” Mangwana said.

He said although the government would provide the legal and regulatory framework, and other assistance, community radio stations would be community-driven and independent.

In Matabeleland North Province, two community radio stations were planned for Hwange and Binga, mainly catering for the Tonga and Nambya communities.

“Let me assure you, my Ministry envisages universal access to information and will work round the clock to make sure that the project becomes a resounding success,” Mangwana said.

New Ziana