The Sunday News
THERE was a time when radio was a real source of entertainment for many especially those in the countryside. It was during the time when merely owning a radio set was revered no matter the size and type of the gadget.
A whole family could surround a small radio set listening to different programmes and during those days it was one sure source of news. And what made it more attaching were the voices, the personalities that were behind the programmes.
Voices on the then Radio 2 such as those of Eric Knight, Malachi Nkomo, Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda, Sam Sibanda, Sam Mkhithika, Simon Pashoma Ncube and many others became popular with listeners while on Radio 3 there was Kudzi “Mr Cool” Marudza and Peter “PJ” Jones. This was in the 80s and 90s period.
Technology had reached today’s level. There were no mobile phones in the country then and probably the only thing next to the mobile phone then was the police radio.
Therefore, unlike these days where music can be loaded in memory cards and played everywhere and where youths even in the countryside are usually seen plugging earphones in their ears, in the past people depended heavily on radios for information and entertainment.
It was kind of trendy to walk around with a radio set on one’s shoulders so as not to miss any of the programmes while others would tie the radio on a bicycle.
It was a time when those who owned radio sets had the privilege of being listened to at village beer gatherings and in discussions bordering on topical national issues, for they were believed to be better informed.
Very few doubted what have been said on the radio. Newspapers were seen the preserve of the elite.
Television was a luxury that many households even those in urban areas could hardly afford while owning one in the countryside was a sign of wealth.
Those who were lucky to own one had small black and white television sets.
Programmes on radio were original and entertaining. They were presented by mature people who knew exactly what the country’s populace wanted.
It was a time when people religiously followed developmental programmes in their country not because there were no alternatives but because they felt the programmes involved them. They felt they owned the station and never felt short changed. Programmes of a political dimension were very compared to those of development and education nature.
Programmes on radio were identified with their presenters who became darlings of their audiences who would wait until it was late for their beloved DJs to be on air.
Phone-in programmes were very few and people were advised to write on postcards that were readily available at post offices and postage stamps were fairly cheap.
That was the radio then, and behind the various programmes were voices that defined the essence and logic of the programmes on radio.
One such voice that boomed and carried all the confidence and eloquence was that of Malachi Nkomo who joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)’s then Radio 2 in 1995 as a producer/ presenter.
He used to work with other presenters such as Tilda Moyo, Brenda Moyo, Elizabeth Chengeta, Plaxedes Jeremiah as well as Esnath Chauke.
Those who listened to the radio then are quite familiar with the introduction line, “Lalela uzwe mama kuRadio 2 sekungena uMalachi okaNkomo.”
Although he left the State broadcaster unceremoniously having been accused of not only inciting but exciting others into an industrial action against their employer when he was the workers committee chairperson, he is now an honourable Member of the House of Assembly for Insiza South in Matabeleland South where he comes from.
Sunday Leisure caught up with the veteran broadcaster last week and he narrated the journey he had so far travelled as well as how he got into politics.
Now 49, Nkomo said he did part of his primary education at Jorodani in Mberengwa district that shares the border with Insiza as most of the few schools in Matabeleland South had closed at the height of the armed struggle against the rebel Ian Smith regime.
He said although he was not directly involved in the war as most have been misled into believing owing much to the programmes Nziyo dzeChimurenga and Kwatakabva Nehondo that he ably presented on Radio 2, he was a youth who was groomed by the war. He witnessed like other youths of his time the trials and tribulations that their parents and the comrades went through and grew up with unquestionable patriotism derived from what they experienced.
Nkomo said after completing his secondary school he did temporary teaching at various schools in Filabusi around 1985. He then enrolled for a diploma in journalism at the Christian College of Southern Africa in Harare.
He did his work related learning at ZBC before joining the company on a full time basis after completing his diploma.
He spoke of how he got the attachment, “I was walking and saw the Radio 2 studios in Mbare. I was shocked because I did not know what a studio looked like. So I walked very close to it. I thought I would hear the voice of the presenter from outside so I was listening but I heard nothing more than the disquieting ring of silence.
“I did not know it was a high security place so when the soldiers who were on guard saw me standing a little mesmerised they called me. I went to them and they started questioning me on why I was trespassing but I was not paying any attention to what they were saying. I was seized with the spectacle of the studio that I initially thought was a spacious building.
“I showed no signs of fright and the soldiers soon realised where my interests were. They saw that I was not a security threat and they then asked me why I was paying so much attention to the building and I told them I was a journalism student. Just then, they took me to Lisban Nesesara who was the continuity supervisor on duty and I got my attachment.
“I vividly remember that Eric Knight was on duty that day. He was my senior together with Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda, the late Sam Sibanda, Simon Pashoma Ncube, the late Joe Panganayi Mukaronda, Grey Gambiza Moyo, the late Deans Patrick Mutumhe and many others. We formed a formidable team that carried Radio 2 and made it the most popular radio station in the country.
We were mature and we really did our research. We carried outreach programmes that made people want to identify with the station. I think that was our greatest strength.
“I enjoyed all the programmes that I presented on radio but the outstanding one was Kwaziso/Ukubingelelana that I usually co-presented with Deans. It was around that time that Deans and I introduced 24-hour broadcasting. I liked the job and I have no regrets only that it was not paying well, which I think is still the problem,” said Nkomo.
He said although the standards of broadcasting then were a bit mature, researched and more interesting compared to the present. He believes the opening of airwaves is going to add competition in the industry on two fronts, that is better salaries and improved programming.
“It is disheartening to note that journalists’ salaries have remained stubbornly very low yet it is one noble profession that is fraught with risks. I think the issue of remuneration has to be looked into if we are to deal with the issue of brown envelopes.
The media sets the agenda on various issues but their objectiveness is dented and at times blurred because they lack the necessary motivation and to cushion themselves journalists end up accepting bribes. It is morally and ethically wrong but the issue needs to be addressed wholesomely through giving media practitioners better salaries,” he said.
Having worked in the district as a temporary teacher for some time when teachers were still earning the respect of society and later on the radio when it had so much a following and later opening a milling business in the district helped Nkomo launch his political career.
He identified himself so much with the community and knows its problems. To buttress his identity he said, “I am Godlwayo (man from Filabusi) to the core, no-one can take that away from me.”
Nkomo got into the then Zanu PF’s District Co-ordinating Committee (DCC) where he became the treasurer and then commissar but later dropped to the position of vice-chairperson of Vokola in Ward 7.
He won the primary elections shrugging off stiff challenge from local businessman, Cde Spare Sithole and eventually won the 31 July 2014 election to become Member of the House of Assembly for Insiza South. He said he was content being an MP although political growth was acceptable and anticipated.
Nkomo is married to Sanele and the couple have four children. He is currently running his milling and transport business although he is also into small scale farming and is permanently based in his constituency.
