The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, has said the days of Zimbabweans relying on content from foreign countries are over.
Mutsvangwa made the remarks on Saturday during the launch of Beitbridge’s community radio station which broadcasts mainly in the Tshi Venda language.
The radio station, Lotsha FM, is found on the 90.1 frequency and covers a radius of 60km from the border town.
The Sunday News reported Mutsvangwa as saying five local language-based community radio stations have been successfully launched, among them, Avuxeni in Chiredzi, Ntepe Manama in Gwanda, Chimanimani FM in Chimanimani, Nyangani FM in Nyanga. Said Mutsvangwa:
We have had a situation where communities on the border line had struggled to receive radio signals and access domestic content from Zimbabwe.
As the Second Republic we have turned another page and have licensed 14 community-based radio stations to give our citizens across the country a voice.
Every community should access content on various issues including government programmes, community development, public health and crime, among other things in their own language.
The launch of Lotsha FM was held concurrently with the belated World Radio Day celebrations which were held at Dulivhadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge.
World Radio Day was marked last Tuesday. Said Mutsvangwa:
Today’s event is more than the celebration of World Radio Day as we also officially launch the Beitbridge Shashe Community Radio Station, popularly known as Lotsha FM.