Matobo radio station raring to go

Innocent Mgutshini

MATOBO – All is set for the launch of Bayethe FM, a community radio station that will operate under a broadcasting operator’s   licence recently issued to Matobo Community Radio Trust by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

On the first of October, the trust held a stakeholders’ meeting that was effectively a report back to the community on the progress made so far, plans for immediate, medium and long term implementation and issues relating to membership of the trust.

Speaking during the meeting, Zenzo Ncube, Trust Director, asserted that the Matobo  community is set to reap huge unprecedented benefits from Bayethe FM in that the station will afford them a platform to report and highlight their issues. He added that this would be achieved by  numerous, quality programmes that will air on the station that have an inclination towards Matobo community development.

” The station,  will cover a radius of 50 km. We are making arrangements to partner with Telone. Since they have bigger masts, they are going to assist us in terms of achieving a good signal. The radio station will also cover Mangwe. Almost 60% of Matabeleland South will be covered and all our programmes will be community oriented. 

We are going to have community coordinators per ward to ensure that no one is left out. We are a non political  organisation whose sole focus is the community we serve. As such, the station will cater for everyone regardless of political affiliation. The Radio Act laws that regulate community radio stations does not allow us to interfere and delve into politics.

Overall objectives of the trust as of now are to set in motion,  income generating  projects to raise funds. We want to have a broadcasting studio furnished with transmitters and start broadcasting as soon as possible. Within 8 – 9 months, the radio station should be up and running if we pull together as a community. Well wishers are welcome to chip in financially so that we raise funding to kickstart our project.The biggest challenge that we have at present, is that we dont have land or office space .We have already approached Matobo Rural District Council for the stand. Our studio will be at Maphisa township,” said Ncube.

In her submission,one of the trustees, Sheron Maphosa revealed details pertaining to membership of the trust.

“We are in the process of registering all those who wish to be part of the trust. The legal age for one to be a member is 16 years and above . Free membership and subscriber membership is open  to Matobo residents only. The board of trustees has the power to vet aspiring members and the constitution is the supreme document that binds us together as an organisation.

Subscribers will have to pay a certain amount  and  will be entitled to sit in decision making meetings. 

We will also have associates who can organisations or individuals who may assist the radio station either financially or by any other means but however, will not be involved in making decisions,” says Maphosa.

Concerning personnel, Maphosa said broadcasting and presenting staff will be trained within four months beginning in October 2021. According to Maphosa, the station will embrace volunteers who will be sent to bigger broadcasting stations to learn the ropes of the trade. In terms of staffing, locals will be given priority, according to Maphisa.

“We are going to work with volunteers as well whom we are going to send out to 

bigger broadcasting stations for training so that they get to understand the fundamentals of broadcasting. 

The radio station will give first preference to locals in terms of staffing and we are going to use mostly our local languages and English in our broadcasts,” she said.

The Chairperson of the of the radio station, Ndumiso Moyo  let the meeting in on the intended content of the much anticipated radio station.

“The Radio will go a long way in facilitating information dissemination, awareness programmes, community education, religious presentations, entertainment and all issues affecting the community including national and district affairs.

Our business community and all other stakeholders will also benefit as they will have a platform that will assist them to easily interact with the community. We are going to source for mobile reporting equipment,” he said.

Chief Fuyana paid tribute to the team that he said has worked ‘tirelessly’ for Matobo to realise the dream of a community radio station.

“People have been longing for this. Even the business community and the local leadership are longing for Bayethe Fm.I think this came at the right time, to the right community. 

We need trustworthy and reliable ward coordinators who will report facts so that the radio does not become a source of fake news .We appreciate the work that is being done by the Trustees.Let’s work hard together as one and raise the Matobo flag high,” said the Chief.