The Sunday News
Joel Tsvakwi, Sunday Life Correspondent
RECENTLY crowned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation National FM Producer/Presenter and soccer commentator, Ezra Kaunda says recognition of radio personalities has been long overdue as it creates competition and motivates them.
Kaunda won the Zimbabwe Radio Awards (Zira) Best Sports Presenter Male in a category he was predominantly viewed as an underdog. He shrugged off competition from seasoned producer/presenters in the mould of Steve Vickers, Marc Pozzo, Sibongumusa Dhlodhlo and Spencer Banda.
In interview with Sunday Life recently, Kaunda expressed his happiness and revealed that he would never forget November 5, 2016, when the award was conducted.
“I am on cloud nine, I was competing against Zim’s best and coming out tops means that people enjoy how I execute my job and it has helped me understand that I should take my job seriously. I have many followers out there. I respect all the nominees and I would want to salute all those out there who voted for me and my bosses who gave me the chance to prove my talent,” said Kaunda, jovially adding that he belongs to Zim’s finest sports casters.
On the Zira awards National FM came overall second after Radio Zimbabwe with four awards, Robson Umali Best Old School; Andrew Mupembe Best Vernacular Sports Commentator, Mercy Best House Dj, Lucy Ngosolo Best Vernacular Female News Anchor.
Radio Zimbabwe which emerged overall best has the following personalities who scooped awards, Season Ndundu Best Sungura and Best Urban Grooves, Elsie Mojapelo Most Popular female, Tarisai Chipere Best Vernacular language Female Presenter, Gweje Best Male and Most Popular Presenter, Richmond Siyakurima Best Vernacular and Humorous; Lionel Mkandla Best Jazz Dj, and Thandekile Simango Vernacular language talk show presenter.
The Zira awards, the first of its kind in the country were organised by Celebrity Check and were held under the theme “Honoring a celebrity behind a celebrity”.
Speaking on behalf of Celebrity Check Munashe Chidzongwe confirmed that the 28-category awards were rocked with challenges in date changes but finally succeeded.
“The awards went well. It was indeed a great night, most people were happy about the idea of honouring radio personalities in Zimbabwe,” he said.
