By Innocent Mgutshini – Bayethe FM Community Reporter
A Delegation led by Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting Hon Kindness Paradza in the company of Hon Edgar Moyo MP of Matobo North and Deputy Minister of Education, Transmedia and Broadcasting Authority engineers toured studio premises of Bayethe FM on Wednsday 30th of March. Bayethe FM is a community radio station licenced to broadcast in Matobo and Mangwe districts.
As part of the visit, a meeting attended by various stakeholders was held in the rural district council boardroom. It was followed by a tour of the premises earmarked for Bayethe FM Studios.
Chairperson for Matobo Community Radio Trust, Rev Ndumiso Dube presented a detailed report on the progress made, plans for immediate, medium- and long-term implementation and challenges being encountered.
"Matobo Community Radio Trust is one of the applicants who were granted a community broadcasting license in September 2021. Despite the challenges, we continue working tirelessly to achieve our goal of launching this radio station. He said.
“Most of our efforts are going into resource mobilisation to fund the station's setup. We are now renovating two newly built offices into studios, these are at Siyatsha trading Complex” said Rev Dube in his address.
He also paid tribute to local businessman Mr Jiyane of Savemore who has supported the radio station financially. We expect work and sound proofing of the studio to be completed by the end of May 2022” added Rev Dube.
According to Mr Dube’s report most of Bayethe FM studio equipment is awaiting shipment from the United Kingdom and South Africa. “We expect all bits of our studio equipment to be on site by end of July 2022. After the installation of the studio and transmitter link, we will run test broadcast beginning August and all being well official launch of the station by September 2022”
In his report he also revealed the ongoing efforts to train radio production and administration. “We are putting together a team of volunteers some of whom have completed training. These include presenters, community reporters, and administration staff our aim is to have at least 25 community reporters based in each of Matobo Wards and a number equal to the number of wards in Mangwe District " he said.
Matobo North Legislator Hon Edgar Moyo complimented the Trust which he said has worked tirelessly for Matobo to realise the dream of having a local radio station.
"Radio is a very important part of our communication system and we are so confident that Bayethe FM is going to address a lot of communication problems. The radio will also help in the facilitation of on-air lessons for our children who will benefit a lot from it. He lamented the current situation where this community listens to foreign radio stations. “We want them to listen to their own voices and portray their own culture values and traditions, they're songs, dance, their own announcements and programmes,” said Hon Moyo. “Matobo is a cradle of the history of the Ndebele tribe including all the groups around that speak Kalanga, Birwa, Sotho and they share the same culture at many aspects. This is the place where Mzilikazi the founder of the Ndebele nation lies. It is also the place where his old home Emhlahlandlela is found."
"This is the place where the Njelele mountain where the rain making ceremonies are done is found. This is a place where Umdala wethu JM Nkomo hails from, this is a place where JZ Moyo hails from, therefore Matobo is a very important part of Zimbabwean history hence this is a blessing for our people,” said Hon Moyo.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services Hon Kindness Paradza cherished the efforts made by the Trust and Matobo Community for supporting the Bayethe FM initiative.
"Thank you very much for organising today’s meeting and programme. I brought with me a team of engineers to assess progress and the challenges which the chairperson of the radio station has articulated very well. Specifically, you're supposed to broadcast in your local languages that include Sotho, Kalanga and Birwa these are the languages to concentrate on.” Said the deputy minister of information.
“We want our people to listen to their local content. Said Hon Paradza. “We have freedom of information that gives all our citizens a right to access of information that is why we gave you community radio stations for the community and by the community and for your own programs. This will create employment for your own sons and daughters originating from Matobo who are fluent in these local languages”
Hon Paradza advised that there are several availed routes to train production staff for the station. “In terms of training you can use our local universities to train your presenters. As your ministry, we have also instructed ZBC to assist you for free in terms of trainings. Skyz Metro is also willing to train your presenters in terms of programming. Transmedia engineers will assist you with the technical- stuff and on setting up studios free,” said Hon Paradza
On the issue of funding, he said that diasporans are allowed to assist community radio stations "Sons and daughters from the diaspora are welcome to assist you in funding this project." he said.
Hon Paradza advised that because Bayethe FM is a community project, their local council must avail land to the radio station to remove the burdened of rentals which threaten sustainability. “This is a community radio station that is not commercial it is not for profit hence we expect the rural district council to give them a piece of land for free” He said.
The meeting was followed by a tour of premises which are currently being renovated into studios.
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