Sinazongwe finally gets a radio station

By ANDREW MUKOMA in Sinazongwe
THERE was a celebratory feeling in the air as a community radio station officially celebrated the opening of its studios in Sinazongwe.
Zongwe 103.8 FM community radio station started its journey over six years ago following the closure of the then community radio station by authorities in unclear circumstances.
The launch of the radio station last weekend was witnessed by Sinazongwe Member of Parliament Gift Sialubalo, District Commissioner Nchimunya Siakole, Council Chairperson Cliff Siachibweka, representatives from the business sector, community leaders and members of the community.
In his message, Mr Sialubalo urged the community to support the operations of the station if they are to see its benefits.
He said that Zongwe FM is an indigenous radio station with a focus on Sinazongwe and other valley district’ development through a local perspective.
And commenting on the launch of the radio station, Gwembe Valley advocate Winter Muvombo said, since Independence, Gwembe Valley community members have lived on rumours and pseudo due to lack of proper network communication.
However, Mr Muvombo expressed confidence that with the operations of the radio station now, people will have a proper way of being informed of the happenings in the country.
He said that the launch of Zongwe FM has come at the right time when people of the valley were in dire need of information on what developments were taking place on the area.
Mr Muvombo said the Gwembe valley which stretches from Chirundu, Siavonga, Gwembe, Sinazongwe and part of Zimba and Kalomo supports the initiative by the community in partnership with the local authority to establish a radio station.
He said that the radio station will be the voice to all human, social life and mostly important for the valley culture and heritage.
“We are appealing to the government to consider putting up extension and remitters towers for the radio station in places such as Chiyabi, Muziyo, Siameja and other far flung areas where there is no signal so that our people can access this facility,” he said.
In this regard, Mr Muvombo has urged the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to consider granting the station with a wider radius coverage.
He has also urged the board for the radio station and its management to allow the station to operate within the guidelines given by the IBA.