Hurungwe Community Radio initiative launched

By Nhau Mangirazi

HURUNGWE– Hurungwe Community Radio initiative was launched at the weekend with its thrust anchored at preserving and safeguarding Kore-Kore tradition, cultural values and using radio as a driving medium here.

The nine member team has board chairperson Joel Zilala from an accounting background, now a human rights activist, vice chairperson Anna Muzhuzha a professionally trained arts and music graduate representing arts, culture and People Living with Disabilities, Matthew Jamu a developmental graduate as secretary representing environment while Sharmaine Togarepi a social media advocacy who is the treasurer.

Togarepi will act as social media promoter but with  the health cluster under her portfolio.

Other members include Godwin Gutsa theater programs director representing human rights and community development while local governance graduate Collian Nyamukozora heads governance and culture.

Douglas Zvirere a University of Zimbabwe graduate will be Micro Computer technician for technology section while Midlands State University undergraduate Esther Shavi will represent the media and women.

The board meeting that adopted the constitution, resolved to appoint freelance journalist Nhau Mangirazi as station manager.

Mangirazi has contributed to several national regional and international news organizations including Radio Voice of the People-VOP (both as radio and website correspondent), Al Jazeera, The Africa Report as well as the New Internationalist.

Currently, he is the provincial correspondent for Alpha Media Holdings’ Newsday, Standard and South African based Sunday Tines.

Hon Concilia Chinanzvavana Proportional Representative for Zvimba who originally hails from Hurungwe welcomed the radio initiative.

‘This is a welcome move that we all applaud as it will put Hurungwe on the map. We look forward to see reporting on under reported issues hardly covered by mainstream media,’ she noted.

‘‘Community radios are meant to broadcast local stories for local communities. We must all work closely as we are all geared to make strides in informative approach as a home grown community radio stations that are progressive on developmental news about our communities,’

Zilala concluded that they will strive for the best.

‘We will strive to be identified as Kore-Kore people and help others understand our culture. We have tried to reach out each of us who is committed in our thrust for a community radio. We have the same vision that we hope will help our community be recognized of its potential,’ concluded Zilala.

Hurungwe is the country’s second largest district that is productive in farming, mining, eco-tourism among other sectors but has no media house.

Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is yet to award community broadcasting licences.