Faith Ndou
HARARE-The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) is set to host Zimbabwe’s first-ever Community Radio Stations Awards on the 26th of March under the theme “Community Radio and AI.”
The theme has been adopted from this year’s World Radio Day commemorations, reflecting the growing intersection between community broadcasting and emerging technologies.
The awards ceremony will bring together all 22 licensed community radio stations across the country to compete in 10 categories. Entries are open and close on the 4th of March with community radio stations encouraged to participate and position themselves as brands of choice within their communities.
Speaking to The Midweek Watch, ZACRAS national coordinator Sandra Mazunga (pictured) said the initiative seeks to honour the vital role played by community broadcasters in national development.
“Our main objective is to recognize, celebrate and amplify the efforts of community radio stations and initiatives as well as community broadcasters whose work has significantly contributed to enhancing access to information, fostering community engagement and promoting inclusive development in marginalized communities in Zimbabwe,” said Mazunga.
She added that both stations and individuals are free to submit entries in various categories, including Gender Equality, Human Rights, Environment Reporting, Sustainable Development Goals, Community Radio of the Year, Community Broadcaster of the Year, Best Media Viability, Community Voice Champion of the Year (Radio Initiative), Community Voice Champion of the Year, and Impact Story of the Year.
Mazunga emphasized that community radio stations remain a critical development tool particularly in marginalized areas.
“Community radio bridges the information gap. It promotes local culture, local artists and development. It communicates to the constituencies it serves in 16 local languages, making interaction, participation and comprehension easier,” she said.
Community radio stations in Zimbabwe air programs that involves participation and input from local residents, ensuring content speaks directly to the needs and realities of the locals.
Zimbabwe’s community radio journey began gaining momentum following the licensing of Ntepe-Manama Community Radio Station which was the first to be licensed in 2020 while Avuxeni FM became the first community radio station to go on air in 2022 in Chiredzi.
The inaugural awards are expected to mark a significant milestone in strengthening and celebrating the growth of community radios in Zimbabwe.
