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Community radio initiatives gather momentum
MISA-Zimbabwe
September 04, 2006

A senior ruling Zanu PF member Charles Pemhenayi says Zimbabweans should demand to be granted licenses to run community radio stations as provided for under the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).

Speaking at the official launch of the Kumakomo Community Radio Station (KCRS) in Mutare on 2 September 2006, Pemhenayi said the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) should be taken to task on why it has not issued the licenses in question. He urged Zimbabwean communities to make the right noises and demand for the licenses for community radio stations.

"I urge you to pursue this issue by lobbying parliament and approaching your local representatives on why the BAZ is not issuing these licenses because they (MPs) are elected to serve the interests of the communities they represent.

We need to make the right organised noises and demand for these licenses. Why is the media silent about this? … I cannot understand this," said Pemhenayi.

The launch of KCRS is part of the intense lobby activities initiated by MISA-Zimbabwe under its Community Radio Initiatives (CRIs) to mobilise communities to demand for the licenses under its Free the Airwaves Campaign aimed at breaking the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings’ monopoly of the airwaves. The CRIs are fast gaining momentum following the launch of Wezhira, Kwelaz and Gweru community radio stations in Masvingo, Kwekwe and Gweru respectively.

In the event of Kumakomo Community Radio Station eventually being licensed, its board of directors should always strive to maintain the station’s editorial independence and ensure that its operations focus on the particular needs of that particular community as well as promoting human rights issues, said Pemhenayi.

Kelvin Jakachira was elected chairperson, Sidney Saize, (vice chairperson), Farai Makotsi (treasurer), Chengetai Murimwa, (secretary) while Perpetua Guwira, Evidence Chenjerai and Thembani Mudavanhu came in as committee members for KCRS’ management committee.

The following members were also elected into the board of trustees, Daniel Chigudu (chairperson), Beauty Serbia (deputy chairperson), Kenneth Saruchera (finance secretary) while Farai Maguhwu, Ngaaite Zimunya, Vonese Masanganise, Mike Tembo and Sydney Mukwecheni are the committee members.

Jakachira described the launch of KCRS as a historical development saying communication was vital for democratisation and central to community development. He said the principle of community radio stations had caught-on throughout Africa and Zimbabwe which is still to licence community radio stations, let alone private commercial radio and television stations since the enactment of the BSA in 2001, cannot afford to continue lagging behind.

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