By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Hon Dr. Omphile Marupi, the Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, conducted a site visit to Lotsha FM, Beitbridge’s community radio station were he called for collaboration and adoption of broadcasting in different languages to foster inclusivity.
The visit aimed to gain firsthand insight into the station’s operations and to assess its role in serving the local community.
During the tour, Deputy Minister Marupi expressed admiration for the station’s contributions, stating, “My visit here made me appreciate what communities can do once they are supported by the central government and the community.”
He emphasized the importance of community-driven media in fostering informed, entertained, and educated societies.
Furthermore, Dr. Marupi urged the station’s staff to collaborate and exchange ideas with other community radios, including those across the border in South Africa.
“Collaborating with other stations will help us improve the quality and diversity of content we provide, ensuring our communities receive relevant and impactful information,” he added.
In addition, the Deputy Minister encouraged Lotsha FM to expand its language broadcasting beyond isiSivenda and to incorporate other languages.
He emphasized the importance of preserving local culture and languages, stating, “While vernacular languages are vital, we must also embrace multilingual broadcasting to preserve our rich cultural heritage and foster inclusivity.”
Local business people were also challenged to support Lotsha FM by the Minister as he highlighted its vital role in community building.
“Supporting our community radio stations is essential; they are the heartbeat of local information dissemination and social cohesion,” he said.
The visit by the Minister is testament to the government’s commitment to strengthening community media and promoting cultural preservation through innovative and collaborative approaches.