Zimpapers Logo

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
MUTARE’s one and only radio station – Diamond FM – is now available online to enable those who are not within the 40km radius of the city to tune in.

Though it has not been launched officially, the Zimpapers-owned radio station went live on November 4 last year, two months after another commercial station – YA FM launched in Zvishavane.

Diamond FM, which is located at the Manica Post building, is available on 103.8FM (within a 40KM radius of Mutare). Those outside Mutare can tune in by downloading the Diamond FM Zim mobile application from the Google App store.

Station manager, Leander “Lee-Kay” Kandiero, said Diamond FM was an urban station that strives to entertain, inform and educate the community of Mutare, keeping them up to date with events taking place around them.

“The urban station has a 50/50 balance between talk shows and music. We’ve various shows which cater for our diverse markets as well as talk shows where we discuss business, agriculture, arts and culture,” said Lee-Kay.

For now, the station broadcasts for 18 hours daily with plans to start broadcasting for 24 hours underway.

“We’re currently broadcasting from 6AM to 10PM though we intend to do 24 hours, starting next month.

For now, the station is automated at 10PM, meaning we only play music with no presenter on duty,” he said.

Most presenters at the station were recruited from Mutare, save for former ZBC radio presenter – Nathaniel Mlambo who together with Lee-Kay, are imparting their broadcasting knowledge to the novice presenters.

“The presenters who’d never been on air are thrilled and are performing well thus far. They host different programmes such as Darling Diamonds meant for kids, Campus Connect for tertiary students, Questions of faith as well as chart shows.”

Lee-Kay is responsible for the Campus Connect which airs on Thursdays between 7PM to 10PM where he invites tertiary students to the station to discuss the life of students on campus. The show is already a hit.

A dedicated show for the Indian community – All about India – is broadcast on Sundays between 10AM and 2PM. It is hosted by Mercy Ngwebvu and Rajah.

Other presenters include Tinashe “T Nash” Ziloli, Charlene Mataure, Dylan “Deler” Naye, Washington Mhando, Christopher “Mutape” Siduna, Barbra “Tear Drop” Zengeza and Prudence “Prudy” Gwatiringa.