Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
THE government has commended Radio Bukalanga in Plumtree, Matabeleland South Province, for its commitment to promoting community development.
Radio Bukalanga serves the Kalanga people across three districts of the province, empowering them with information in their local language and helping preserve their cultural traditions.
Given that Matabeleland South is a cattle farming region, agricultural programmes enjoy a large following on Radio Bukalanga.
“I would say our farming programmes are what make us stand out. We have a large number of cattle farmers in this region, so there is strong interest in anything related to farming,” Bukalanga Radio Presenter, Godwin Gumbo said.
Just like other community radio stations, Radio Bukalanga needs government support.
“The fact that we rely on volunteers makes it difficult for us to grow or develop. Once those we have trained secure paying jobs, they leave and we are taken back to square one, having to train new people all over again,” the station manager, Yvonne Buzwane noted.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, led by its Chairperson, Honourable Caston Matewu, praised the community radio station for harnessing community voices to promote local development.
With the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act having been enacted a few weeks ago, Honourable Matewu stated that funding challenges faced by community radio stations are set to become a thing of the past.
“It is pleasing to note the radio station’s commitment to promoting community development. As you may know, the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act, Amendment 10 now stipulates that the broadcasting fund will be able to support community radio stations.”
As a community radio station, Radio Bukalanga is owned and operated by the community and covers the Mangwe, Bulilima and Matobo districts.
