Bayethe FM to hit the airwaves early 2022

Innocent Mgutshini 

MATOBO – The newly licensed Matobo  based radio station,  Bayethe FM is set to hit the airwaves in early 2022 following payment of the broadcasting license fees. The station will cover cover Maphisa, Mangwe and Brunapeg areas of Matabeleland South Province.

Speaking to this publication,  Mr Zenzo Ncube the Project Director who is a founding trustee highlighted the progress made by the station so far. He also revealed that Bulawayo and Maphisa have been earmarked to co-host the station’s studios.

“We have now paid our license fees to the Boadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ). Our next stage is transmission and production studio equipment procurement which we are currently seized with.

Our broadcasting studios will be at Maphisa and in Bulawayo to ensure that we are always on air with no interuptions,” he said.

Ncube paid tribute to all stakeholders that have contributed towards the establishment of the local radio station, while singling out the legislator of the area and a local businessman.

“We are grateful to our membership, community leaders and our business community who have supported this initiative especially Member of Parliament  Hon Edgar Moyo and a businessman, Mr Jiyane of  Savemore Stores in Maphisa,” he said.

Ncube was quick to allay fears that the station may fail to meet the government’s deadline.

” We are more than confident that  we will be on air within the first half of 2022 and that is way before the stipulated licencing deadline. We continue to appeal for financial support from all corners of our community and all Zimbabweans to support our initiative to make this dream a reality for our people,” said Ncube.

 Mr Ndumiso Dube, the  Chairperson of Matobo Community Radio Trust that is behind the Bayethe FM project said the trust is also busy planning and implementing income projects which are at various stages of progression.

 “Running a radio station is financially demanding so it is important that besides donations and members fees, we have other sources of income to fund our operations.

We are passionate about providing an effective and reliable communication tool for our community and we are geared to take this challenge head-on,” said Dube.

Following a protracted campaign by the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) ,the government recently licensed radio stations through BAZ.