Factsheet – Community Radio Stations in Zimbabwe.

by in Factsheets

How far has Zimbabwe gone in opening airwaves for community radios?

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) licensed six community radios in 2020 and eight in 2021. To date, a total of 14 community radio stations have been licensed across the country. BAZ also issued broadcasting licenses to tertiary institutions.

Avuxeni FM in Chiredzi commenced broadcasts in February 2022.

What is the purpose of community radio stations?

According to UNESCO, radio can shape a society’s experience of diversity and serve diverse communities offering a wide variety of programs.

According to a 2017 journal article, community broadcasting is a broadcasting service not for profit, owned and controlled by a particular community under an association, trust or foundation. In some instances, it can be owned by non-governmental organisations working in communities.

Community radio stations enable people to enjoy their right to access information concerning socio-economic development and other issues of concern within their communities. The community radio stations broadcast in languages spoken within the communities they serve

According to BAZ, the law gives the licensed entities 18 months to go on air from the date of licensing to give them time to ship equipment, put together human capital to run the station and put in place all logistical arrangements necessary to start operating.

Below is a list of community radio stations currently licensed in Zimbabwe.

  AREA /COVERAGE  LICENSED COMMUNITY RADIO
  Rukotso and Susamoya    Nyangani Community Radio Trust t/a Nyangani FM
  Ndolwane, Plumtree, Empandeni    Radio Bukalanga (Pvt) Ltd  
Mangwe –Brunapeg, Maphisa  Matobo Community Radio Trust
  Hwange and Victoria falls    Lyeja Nyayi Development Trust
   Chimanimani, Gwendingwe, Rusitu    Chimanimani Community Radio Station Trust  
  Mahenye (Garahwa)    Ndau Community Radio Trust              
  Chipinge Checheche- Chibuwe  Vemuganga Community Radio Trust
    Chikombedzi, Chiredzi, Rutenga, Mahenye and Malipati    The Chiredzi Rural Communities Development Initiative Trust t/a Avuxeni FM  
  Manama and Legion    Ntepe Manama Community Radio Initiative Trust
  Binga, Kamativi, and Siabuwa  Twasumbuka Community Radio Trust
  Kariba, Mapongola  Kasambabezi Community Radio Trust t/a Kasambabezi FM  
  Beitbridge & Shashi    Beitbridge- Shashe Community Radio Broadcasting Trust
  Mbembesi    Mbembesi Development Trust t/a Ingqanga  
  Shamva  Madziwa FM Community Radio Trust    

Source: Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe

List of Tertiary Institutions awarded broadcasting licenses

  •  National University of Science and Technology
  • Great Zimbabwe University
  •  Lupane State University
  •  Midlands State University
  •  Harare Polytechnic.
Do you want to use our content? Click Here