BEITBRIDGE ROARS TO LIFE
Written by Skyz Metro FM on March 13, 2023
By Sibonginkosi Maphosa
The border city of Beitbridge on the 18th of February roared to life after the official commissioning of it’s community radio station , Lotsha FM by the Minister of Information publicity and broadcasting services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa on the delayed World Radio Day celebrations .
Lotsha fm becomes the second in the Gwanda / Beitbridge belt coming after Ntepe community radio in Gwanda and the third in Matebeleland South after the commissioning of Bukalanga Fm in Plumtree.
The enactment of the Broadcasting bill to an Act which came after the second republic has seen the Ministry of information publicity and broadcasting services commissioning of fourteen community radio stations and according to Senator Mutsvangwa more radio stations are expected to be launched.
Addressing delegates before the official launch , senator Mutsvangwa said community radio stations are very pivotal in the dissemination of information as they use local languages at the same time understanding the culture of their own .
Senator Mutsvangwa added that Community radio stations are making it easy to identify talent in all the corners of Zimbabwe as she said not all stars hail from the big cities Harare and Bulawayo.
“We are saying community radio’s are there to identify and harness talents from our young people , there is no child who is more important than the other child that is being raised in urban areas or rural areas .This is what we are trying to do with the community radio stations to give an opportunity for all children to speak in their own language and showcase their own talent so that we get the best from Beitbridge”.
Different stakeholders graced this event which included Transmedia, an organization that makes Broadcasting possible as they man all the transmitters in the country , also at the event was UNESCO represented by it’s Chairperson in Zimbabwe, Professor Lydia Britol who said as UNESCO they will support the Ministry of Information , Publicity and Broadcasting Services in opening up more community radio stations in the country.
“Radio has proven to be an exceptional medium of communication that is facilitating change in communities , It is also one of the most accessible medium which should be brought closer to communities”.
Speaking to this reporter on the sidelines of the celebrations at Dulivhadzimu stadium , Zimbabwe Media Commission ‘ s highest Officer Professor Rumbidzai Magosongwe said she was so excited with the launch of Lotsha FM citing the importance of broadcasting in local languages.
“I am so excited and as the Zimbabwe Media Commission this is really what we have been aspiring for in line with our mandate , freedom of the media , freedom of expression and that cannot happen unless people use their own language. The idiom that they identify with , the idiom that they understand within the context of their culture , within the context of their communities . We are so excited with the language and His Excellency’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind”.
Lotsha means , ” The dawn of a new era” and this community radio which is under the Shashi/ Beitbridge community radio services has brought so much hype and excitement in the Beitbridge community.
Lotsha FM is situated in Central Business District of Beitbridge and the Senator Mutsvangwa before proceeding to the stadium had an interview with one of the presenters at Lotsha FM
All most all radio stations of Zimbabwe including campus radio stations came to show support and solidarity to Lotsha FM something that was applauded by the deputy minister of Information publicity and broadcasting services Honourable Kindness Paradza.
The day ended with performances from local traditional groups.
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