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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
BINGA’S Twasumpuka Community Radio Trust which was recently awarded a broadcasting licence, has  started fundraising as it requires more than $90 000 registration fees.

Twasumpuka and seven other community radio stations were recently licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).

Three out of the eight radio stations that were recently licensed are from Matabebeleland.

This brings to seven community radio stations that will go on air in Matabeleland region.

The newly licensed Radio Bukalanga Pvt Ltd of Bulilima, Matobo Community Radio Trust covering Maphisa, Kezi, Mangwe and Brunapeg and Twasumpuka which will cover Binga centre, Kamativi and Siabuwa, join Mbembesi Development Trust, trading as Ingqanga FM, Ntepe Manama Community Radio Trust, Shashe Community Radio

Broadcasting Association and Lyeja-Nyayi Development Trust.

BAZ is expected to provide the licensed community radio stations with studio equipment but the stations have to raise the licence fees.

Twasumpuka trustees held an inaugural meeting with stakeholders at Binga centre yesterday where it was resolved to form a steering interim fundraising committee that will mobilise resources to raise $93 890 licence fees.
The money is due on November 16.

“We had a meeting attended by various stakeholders and it was resolved that a committee be constituted to start fundraising, not only for the licence but also to start operationalising the station. We definitely need this initiative and it is good to see that the community has ownership of the community radio. We want to thank Government for awarding us this licence,” said Twasumpuka board chair Mr Samson Sibanda.

Acting Binga District Development Coordinator Mr Farai Marinyane said the radio station is a rare development opportunity given by the Second Republic to the Binga community.

“We should be grateful that as Binga we now have a community radio station after we got a licence.

This is an opportunity for us to market Binga and its various natural resources in order to attract investment,” he said.

The radio station has engaged Binga Rural District council for office space while waiting to be given land to build a permanent studio.

No staff members have been employed yet but there are volunteer citizen reporters in each of the 17 Binga wards.

Chief Siabuwa who also attended the meeting said he was grateful that the Tonga community will have a platform to share ideas on development issues. — @ncubeleon