A colourful event was held on 04 November 2022 at Manama Bible school where people gathered to witness and celebrate the launch of a community-based initiative, Ntepe Manama Community Radio (NMCR). The Honourable Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Comrade Monica Mutsvangwa was the guest of honour who spoke fondly about the benefits of opening up of airwaves where communities are provided with a platform for discussions and participation for development using community radio as a vehicle. The ceremony also recognized and celebrated the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
Indeed, radio is still the medium for Africa as it largely contributes to the growth and development of communities. Its accessibility, flexibility and reliability makes it necessary for the general populace to be actively involved in the communication process as prosumers to bring about positive progress.
The NMCR is expected to be used as a powerful podium to promote Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) with a high focus on encouraging, preserving and showcasing local culture in its different forms that include language. Matabeleland South province boasts of being the only province in Zimbabwe with more than 6 spoken languages, hence it is called the rainbow province. Plurality of voices and diversified cultural practices are predominantly prevalent in Matabeleland South. The Matabeleland South wards covered by NMCR, are: 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 24.
The Honourable Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa articulated in detail how the radio station is for the community, by the community, with the community in mind as it is the voice of the community, befitting attributes that make NMCR unique as it is community centred.
Crowd pulling performances that thrilled people who attended the launch came from Matabeleland South artists who included the legendary poet ubaba uNqindi and a traditional dance group called the Bolamba Performing Arts. The creatives showcased their artistic flair that that left the crowd in awe asking for more. Different organisations and local leadership turned up for the event in support of this great establishment.
In an interview with Siphathisiwe Ncube, the Ntepe – Manama Programmes Manager, she heartily expressed her excitement for the launch of the radio station, “The NMCR will greatly improve people’s access to important information on agricultural techniques, laws, and civil rights, preserve their culture get news from their own areas in their own languages. People in the community have their own sources of information that will make life easier when it comes to information dissemination”.
The NMCR team is already geared up as they are moving in the right direction in ensuring that their set objectives are met. Siphathisiwe briefly explains some of the key areas that make up the radio station, “The station has so many volunteers (presenters, news readers and community journalists) drawn from Gwanda Community and who are fluent in local languages namely, Sotho, Venda and Ndebele)”. She also emphasizes that the station prioritizes sharing news drawn from the community. “Local music from local artists is being played on NMCR thereby promoting local content by artists, preserving and promoting the culture of people from the community of Gwanda”, says Ms Ncube who also added that music submissions for airplay are encouraged.
To ensure that the NMCR remains a sustainable project, the programmes manager, Ms Ncube explains how this can be done noting the kind of help and engagement they look forward to receive from the community, “We need maximum support from the community since the community radio is for the community therefore all community members should support the station for it to flourish, the implementation of programmes that will raise funds for station sustainability is highly anticipated”.
Siphathisiwe also reveals a major challenge being faced by NMCR and is hopeful that this impediment will be overcome if the community unites for a common goal of seeing the radio station operating successfully, “The main challenge that we have now is to do with the transmitter that we have whose radius does not reach all our target audience, an increase in the radius through availing a bigger transmitter that can cover 80km-120km radius will go a long way in reaching out to a larger audience”. Ms Ncube mentions office furniture, studio aircon, studio security bars and tiles as some of the required items for the studio to be well equipped and fully functional.
In conclusion, Ms Ncube extends a call for more volunteers from Gwanda who wish to express their interests to be part of NMCR team in different departments, eligible persons must be fluent in local languages. For more information below are the contact details.
The Programmes Manager Siphathisiwe Ncube on +263779308003 ntepemanama@gmail.com/ siphathisiwencubem@gmail.com.
