Zimpapers Logo

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
NEWLY licensed commercial radio stations have promised to stick to their mandate of promoting the cultural diversity of their localities.
Fairtalk Communications’ Skyz Metro FM on Tuesday became the first commercial radio station in Bulawayo after the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) issued them a licence. The company was also awarded a licence to broadcast in Victoria Falls under the name Breeze FM and is one of eight that have been licensed countrywide.

Other new stations include Zimpapers’ Diamond FM in Mutare, AB Communications’ Hevoi FM in Masvingo and FAYA FM in Gweru, Ray of Hope trading as YA FM in Zvishavane and Kingstons’ two radio stations KE100.4 FM and Nyaminyami FM will be on the airwaves in Harare and Kariba.

One of the Fairtalk Communications shareholders, Qhubani Moyo said their stations – Skyz Metro FM and Breeze FM would start broadcasting in September. They will source their content from the Matabeleland region which they believe has a lot of untapped talent.

“We believe that we’ve so much talent and we’ll get all our content from the locality. Artistes from this end should be rest assured that they’ll get their music aired on our radio station,” Moyo said.

He said they hoped to employ over 80 people to run the two stations.

AB Communications, who already have ZiFM broadcasting, said their two new stations, Hevoi FM and FAYA FM would be different from ZiFM in terms of content as they will cater for their specific localities, while ZiFM covers the whole nation.

“ZiFM is a national radio station while Hevoi FM and FAYA FM are local commercial radio stations that have a 70KM and 60KM radius of operation.

“FAYA FM is a youthful station because its market – Gweru – according to our research is mostly youths due to its proximity with the Midlands State University. That’s our target market which will be driving our programming,” AB Communications chief executive officer Susan Makore said.

She said Hevoi was set up for the rural and urban communities of Masvingo and indicated that the two stations would likely start broadcasting in six months. According to her, 90 percent of the staff for the two stations would be from Gweru and Masvingo as they want to empower locals there. Ray of Hope which trades as YA FM, situated in Zvishavane will mainly promote sports, music, culture and wealth of the mining town.

“Zvishavane is very rich in terms of resources, music, culture and sport. This is what our radio station will be promoting. The station will also cater from the diverse cultures that are found there,” Munyaradzi Hwengwere, Ray of Hope chairman said.

He said they would start broadcasting within four to six months.

“In essence we’re ready to go live, but we’ve to build our image and get known more in the community so we’ll start broadcasting in four to six months time,” Hwengwere said.