The Sunday Mail
Leonard Ncube in Binga
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has called on Zimbabweans to use information as a tool to foster unity and development as opposed to being a weapon to abuse and denigrate each other.
At the handover of 17 radio receivers to chiefs in Binga district during a visit to the Manjolo transmitter yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said tolerance was a hallmark of the Second Republic.
“I am here as a spokesperson and my role is to give a message of hope and unity so that we move forward in love. Elections have come and gone and now we have to focus on the economy and show the world that we are united,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“We have brought a radio for each chief so that information comes to them and cascades to the whole community. The radios will help you listen to His Excellency when he speaks to the nation and make sure you are not exposed to lies and destabilising information,” she said.
She went on: “We chose to come to Matabeleland North because the President’s vision is that we should listen to people and make sure everyone gets information. We are a listening Government hence it’s our mandate that everyone of you gets that information.”
Many parts of Binga have no access to local radio and TV and rely on broadcasts from Zambia.
The traditional leadership expressed appreciation for Government’s gesture, with Binga District Administrator Mrs Lydia Ndethi-Banda saying: “This is the best Christmas present and thank you for bringing Binga to Zimbabwe.”
Chief Pashu called for more transmission boosters, saying the mountainous terrain around the district made it difficult for all communities to receive broadcasts.
Chief Siachilaba said the gesture would empower people in the area while Chief Siabua said the district would now move at the same pace with the rest of the country.
Four transmitters are being built in Hwange, Manjolo, Nkayi and Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North. The three existing ones are Chidobe, Kamativi and Kenmaur.
Government is digitising broadcasting, which entails upgrading 24 boosters and erecting another 24 new ones.
Thirty-five percent of the work has been done with 18 of the sites ready for migration to digital broadcasting.
Accompanying Minister Mutsvangwa on the visit were her deputy Energy Mutodi and Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana, along with Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Transmedia engineers.
