Story by Gay Matambo
THE Government has commissioned Tongogara FM in Chipinge, marking a significant step in its drive to decentralise information and empower marginalised communities.
The launch coincided with national commemorations of World Radio Day, held under the global theme, “Radio and Artificial Intelligence”, drawing stakeholders from across the media sector.
Speakers at the event underscored the growing role of artificial intelligence in broadcasting, while cautioning that innovation must be guided by ethics and professionalism.
“Embrace AI as your ally but wield it with wisdom,” Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO, Ms Margaret Chirapa, said.
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation chief executive Mr Sugar Chagonda added: “Together we can make radio thrive in this AI era, not as a relic but as a vibrant force for truth and connection.”
Chief Operations Officer at Transmedia, Engineer Rufaro Zaranyika, said AI should enhance rather than replace human creativity. “AI must serve as an assistive technology empowering ingenuity,” he said.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Zhemu Soda said Zimbabwe was already integrating artificial intelligence into broadcasting, particularly in areas such as language translation and audio restoration to serve diverse communities.
However, he warned against the misuse of emerging technologies.
“As the world leans more heavily on AI, we stand at a crossroad. Ethical guardrails are not optional they are essential to safeguard our noble profession from obsolescence. Foremost among these is combating misinformation and the dangers of synthetic audio misuse, where deep fakes could erode public trust in every voice we air,” he said.
In Manicaland Province, the commissioning of Tongogara FM added significance to the World Radio Day commemorations.
Legislator for Mutema-Musikavanhu constituency, Honourable Angeline Gata, described the station as a tool for unity and cultural preservation. “Tongogara FM is a central instrument in promoting social cohesion, amplifying diverse voices and promoting the Ndau culture,” she said.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza welcomed the new broadcaster. “We welcome this new kid on the block, which is set to amplify the voices of communities here,” he said.
For communities in and around Tongogara Settlement, the establishment of a dedicated community radio station is expected to widen access to information and strengthen local participation in national discourse.
