Faith Ndou
Following the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe’s (BAZ) invitation for licence applications for community radio stations in 10 districts, the Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) is holding awareness outreach programmes.
ZACRAS national coordinator, Sandra Mazunga highlighted that following the call for community radio licence applications by BAZ they are holding outreach awareness programmes in the selected districts where the stations are to be established with the intention to inform stakeholders on need for submission within the stipulated period and offering basic knowledge on what Community Radio Stations are, their mandate and how they operate.
BAZ flighted an advert calling for community radio licence applications in ten districts on August and the deadline is September 30.
ZACRAS visited Gutu on Wednesday September 3, 2025 which together with Chivi in Masvingo Province are some of the districts selected this year for the establishment of 10 new community radio stations adding on to the 14 established under the first phase which started in 2020.
Addressing district leadership at the meeting held in Gutu District, Mazunga, who was in the company of the programmes assistant, Desire Kateyera, said the organisation is heavily involved with Community Radio Stations in the country.
She said ZACRAS plays a crucial role in empowering the communities where the stations are to be set up, promoting and supporting the development of strong, vibrant and autonomy.
With the stations being community owned and run on basically voluntary basis, non-profit making, non-partisan and major content locally produced, Mazunga said the awareness outreaches are crucial in ensuring that information on licencing applications reach every part and everyone in the district and that applications are done within the stipulated period.
When the first stations were established in 2020, ZACRAS offered the same support, assisting prospective applicants with information and technical advice.
Out of the 14 stations already operating, Mazonga said ZACRAS assisted eight which include Inyangani, Chimanimani,Vemuganga and Ingqanga FM with equipment such as transmission packs, desks, solar power packs, training of volunteer reporters, board members inductions among others.
Mazunga called on the district leadership to cascade information on need for all interested parties to be aware of conditions of operations and need for community stakeholders to contribute towards success of the licencee to be selected by BAZ.
She outlined that Government through Statutory Instrument one of 2023 now allows four minutes of advertisements per every hour and that this calls for intensive campaigns to the communities and business sector so that it supports operations of the station through buying advertisement slots.
ZACRAS is also advocating and lobbying for the allocation of a certain percentage of the $30 ZBC licence fees from motorists to be channeled towards setting up and supporting community radio Stations in all the country’s districts.
As part of their mandate, ZACRAS seeks to empower community radio stations, promoting access to information and participation in developmental processes in communities.
ZACRAS has been facilitating community engagement meetings throughout districts bringing together community leaders and members to discuss issues affecting their areas.
