Airwaves & Liberty

From Abel M. Chambeshi, Mkushi Community Radio in Zambia, via the NFCB listserv:

The undersigned was until last September 2006 a Minister of the Zambian Government (Ministries of Science & Technology, and Communication & Transport). I am at the moment Board Chairman of a new rural community radio station called “Mkushi Community Radio”, which was constructed in 2002 with financé from UNESCO, The Zambian Government, and Members of the ethnic Biswalala Tribe of Central Africa. This group of people speak several sub-dialects of the mainstream Bemba-Speaking peoples of Zambia but their culture was thought to be dying with the coming of industrialization, especially the opening of large Copper Mines and the opening up of large Texas-style Commercial Farms in Kapiri, Mkushi, and Serenje Districts.

From inception, the Radio has been a big hit. However, many challenges exist. For example:-

i) We need to train a hard core team of 2 or 3 Managers in programming, and income-generating activities; The leading Manager requires to be attached to a longer-established Community Radio Station, probably in a fast developing country like South Africa, Mexico, Malaysia or Brazil;

ii) We need to procure a second-hand vehicle to assist with news gathering and the collection of documentaries: there are many elderly people who are like ‘moving libraries’ or sources of historical events and indigenous knowledge systems and data which if we do not put on audio tape/disk can be lost for ever …

iii) We need to procure two durable tape recorders for use in the ‘bush’ when taping interviews.

iv) Our radio transmitter is only able to reach 50% of the catchment area. We require to install a booster at Masansa, 50 km away from the Main Station, in order to reach 80% of the targeted listening public. Booster equipment is estimated to cost US $ 7,000.

As Board Chair, it is my prime duty to look around for partners-in-development, who may assist us in finding solutions to these challenges listed above. Indeed the World of Radio is an exciting theatre for learning about other cultures and interacting at personal level. Even if your organization may not be able to render assistance in the areas noted above, the mere exchange of recorded programmes in specific subject areas can go a long way in cementing relations. We are always aware that the future of Africa may be tied to the future of the United States, whatever politicians may say. Through history, your Country came to acquire a large population of members of the Negro race, and each time we meet with them, the feeling of kinship is never far off…

Therefore, we will always desire your friendship. If such friendship can go beyond mere exchange of programmes, so much the better for our shared destiny.

Sincerely,
Abel M. Chambeshi
speedpr(at)zamnet.zm