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ZACRAS sets up a youth broadcasting initiative in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS)
December 01, 2010

The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) has set up a youth broadcasting initiative in Bulawayo, Star FM.The youth station seeks to broadcast to the community of Bulawayo on issues affecting youths.

Addressing Star FM delegates at an induction workshop in Lobengula, the ZACRAS National Director Henry Masuku, highlighted that youths are ambassadors of the station and should sell the station to both the young and the old. He went on to add that they should engage on a membership drive so as to bring on board more young people. This will make youths in Bulawayo feel that they are part of the station, since the youths are the owners of the station and the bulk of the broadcasters will come from them.

Masuku went on to say that once the airwaves are liberalised and prospective broadcasters, amongst them community radios, are granted broadcasting licences only then will Star FM be able to broadcast. He hastened to add that since the airwaves are not yet liberalised, youths should engage on activities which seek to advocate for the liberalisation of the airwaves and also mobilize the Bulawayo community to support Star FM.

The Chairperson of Star FM, Philani Ncube, stated that the idea of setting up a youth broadcasting station was born after realizing that Bulawayo youths need an outlet to voice their concerns and aspirations. Ncube went on to add that youths are a vulnerable group and as such they need guidance on how to tackle their day to day problems. He stated that Star FM seeks to fill the void created by the breakdown of the extended family system, resulting from urbanization and migration, which has meant that aunts and uncles are not always available to give guidance to the young.

Youths present at the meeting highlighted that they would want Star FM to address youth issues such as abuse, sexuality, empowerment, HIV-Aids and alcohol abuse.

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