The Sunday News
Lungile Tshuma Sunday News Correspondent
PEOPLE who claim that Fairtalk Communications got its radio licences through the benevolence of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo should face reality and admit that the company deserved to be awarded the licences as its presentations were “well-polished and solid”, Dr Qhubani Moyo, the company’s chief executive officer, has said.
Dr Moyo made the remarks following claims on social media that Fairtalk Communications —whose stations Skyz Metro FM and Breeze FM will broadcast in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls respectively — got the licences through the influence of the minister.
In an interview with Sunday News, Dr Moyo said people should start utilising the station and celebrate that Government had honoured its promise to free the airwaves.
“Everyone who attended the public hearing will agree that our presentation was well polished and solid. We cannot be judged for being awarded a licence on the benevolence of the minister. After all, the licensing authority is Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) not the minister, hence people must not mix up issues.
“For anyone to claim that Amakhosi is a Zanu-PF-aligned institution, really it boggles the mind. If the truth is to be told, Cont Mhlanga is a celebrated playwright and the licensing should be celebrated equally. Dr Moyo is also known to have passion for radio. Those who can remember will know that I am one of the pioneers of Radio Dialogue and this should serve as a sign that my interest in radio is not new.
“If the licence was to be awarded to a Zanu-PF-aligned institution, there is no doubt that it was going to be awarded to Minister Obert Mpofu who had also applied for a licence. What is important is that people should celebrate the opportunity that comes with the licence and also celebrate that the Government has delivered on its commitment to free the airwaves,” Dr Moyo said.
Mhlanga is one of the shareholders of the company.
In light of the challenges faced by residents, he said people should make use of the station to air their views and promised artistes that this was their opportunity to have their products heard.
“The station will provide people with the much-needed platform for debate and discuss on issues of importance in Bulawayo and the region and how they should be addressed in the biggest context of national development. It is not us who will be speaking, it will be the people of the region speaking. In that regard we invite every Bulawayo resident to be part of this history making process and utilise to the maximum the new radio station,” said Dr Moyo.
