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Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
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By Elvis Dumba
Chinhoyi – Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has officially opened Zimpapers-run Platinum FM Radio Station in Chinhoyi that covers Mashonaland West Province.
Platinum FM rebranded from Nyami Nyami FM, which used to broadcast from Kariba.
She said the opening of Platinum FM is a result of the astute leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who said Zimbabwe is open for business. The opening of the radio station is the testimony of the government’s thrust of opening up broadcasting airwaves through licensing of community radio stations.
“Since the inception of the second republic, at least 14 community radio stations have been licensed. That includes campus radio stations so that no one is left behind. Platinum FM was Broadcasting as Nyami Nyami FM in Kariba before requesting permission to grow and cover a larger audience and we agreed to its transformation to Platinum FM where it reaches a larger audience.
“The transformation of the radio station from Nyami Nyami FM to Platinum FM articulates the station’s aim of offering the best commercial broadcasting services. This radio station should exhibit the diversity of the Mashonaland West Province through its programming and should live up to the best programming for the people of Banket, Mhangura, Karoi, and other places who need accurate information,” Senator Mutsvangwa told delegates attending the official opening.
Minister Mutsvangwa called upon Zimbabweans to be peaceful and refuse a culture of violence as the country moves towards the harmonized general elections.
“I am impressed by the state-of-the-art studio, and the station should drive the development agenda besides entertaining the public and should join the war on drug abuse by naming and shaming those peddling drugs. Radio should be at forefront of fighting this menace as well as child marriages and gender violence. I challenge the radio station to champion these fights and work with the local traditional leadership in programming to effectively serve the community,” she said.
Information Permanent Secretary, Nick Mangwana, hailed Zimpapers Pvt Ltd for posting impressive financial profits through their various stables.
Minister Mutsvangwa was flanked by Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, and her Deputy Kindness Paradza
Minister Mliswa said the coming of the radio station to Chinhoyi will help amplify the devolution success stories in the province.