Calvin Manika recently in Binga
Twasumpuka Community Radio in Binga applied for a free to air community radio licence and is still waiting from the regulating authority, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
Binga people are optimistic that their community will one day be on air which will connect them in community development and preserving the Batonga rich culture in the Zambezi valley. Last week, our Senior Reporter Calvin Manika (CM) caught up with Twasumpuka Community Radio Station Manager Baido Ndlovu (BN) for a chat.
Below are the excerpts of the interview.
C M: Thank you Mr Ndlovu for availing yourself for this interview.
B N: My pleasure.
C M: How many radio stations are you receiving as Binga residents?
B N: As a community of Binga we receive National FM and intermittently Power FM. Also, on intermittent basis, residents at Binga town centre receive Sinazongwe community radio station of Zambia.
CM: What is the coverage area of Twasumpuka Community Radio?
B N: Twasumpuka covers the entire district of Binga. Since the station is not on air currently, it only covers 9 wards through meeting-based programming. The station has a whatsapp group that comprises of ward based volunteer journalists and members.
CM: Will the coming of Twasumpuka Community Radio on air bring change in Binga? And if so, how?
B N: Going on air has been the dream of Binga residents for years immemorial. The district has very little access to media services, let alone information. Of course, National FM is received in Binga. But, it cannot make up for the media needs of Binga, as it at times goes for weeks without transmission. The plight of Binga people with regards to media is dire to an extent that newspapers are a rarity in the district. Therefore the advent of Twasumpuka on air would literally represent the dawn of a long awaited era of media access. The station will serve as a platform for communication and discussion of issues that affect Binga district. The station will be an opportunity to further promote and cement the Tonga culture.
CM: What are the programmes you are doing so far, as you are waiting for a free to air community radio license?
B N: On a small scale Twasumpuka is currently producing and broadcasting some radio programs through Buzzsprout. These radio programs are also shared on Whatsapp platforms. In a bid to further garner support of the community members, Twasumpuka is also conducting sensitisation meetings in various wards.
CM: How has been the response to your radio station?
B N: Twasumpuka as an initiative, has been embraced by local leaders (chiefs who are in the advisory council of the station), family of professionals, community members, rural district council. In short, this is a well embraced community rooted initiative hoped to blossom through the blessing of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.
CM: What are the challenges you are facing in running the station?
B N: The station is currently facing challenges of setting up projects that can be pillars of Twasumpuka’s financial sustainability. The station has no equipment as we speak, hence if it awarded a licence, the next question would be that of the tools of the game.
CM: Your last words?
B N: On behalf of the station and its members, I would like to implore the Broadcasting authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) to consider Binga in this 10-piece cake.
