Charles Motsi
Avuxeni fm has become the country's first licensed community radio station to be launched and operate in Chiredzi and is expected to become the voice of the local Shangani community.
This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, at the official launch of Avuxeni fm in Chiredza yesterday.
The development also dovetails with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's Vision2030 meant to develop all local communities and enhance the quality of life of the indigenous people.
“The establishment of a Community Radio Station here in Chiredzi is in line with His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa's mantra of leaving no one and no place behind in the acceleration of the development trajectory towards achieving an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle Income Society by 2030,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Community radio stations have been on government’s agenda and a demand of many rights groups for many years now, as they are viewed as a reliable, cheap and efficient medium of communication for local communities.
Avuxeni fm is expected to fulfil this particular mandate for the people of Chiredzi.
“Like other Community Radio Stations around the country, programming and broadcasting of local radio will be in local languages thus promoting our indigenous languages. Policy makers and the local people are encouraged to put to good use radio as a communication platform for the development of our communities in languages that we understand,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Chief Tshovani of Chiredzi also expressed his gratitude to President Mnangagwa and his government for allowing his people to have their voice heard by the country and the world at large through radio.
“The licensing and launch of Avuxeni is a welcome development as it will give us a voice as the Chiredzi Shangani Community we are now able to let the world know who we are as a people,” said Chief Tshovani.
To date the Ministry has licensed fourteen (14) Community radio stations, seven (7) campus radio stations and six (6) privately owned television stations and Avuxeni has become the first one that is licensed to be launched and begin operations.
