By Rex Mphisa
A partner of the Beitbridge Rural District Council recently made a massive donation to community radio station Lotsha FM when it donated 10 000 bricks towards an independent office for the organisation.
In an interview during the sidelines of the fundraiser dinner by Lotsha, the Beitbridge community radio station broadcasting mainly in Venda, Danisiwe Senda, the director of Mcilo Construction, said their donation was a community social responsibility.
“We are here in Beitbridge to do business as a partner to the Beitbridge Rural District Council and we are just giving back to the community where we will operate. As a company it should be our responsibility to plough back,” said Senda.
“We are a Bulawayo based company and we made our proposal to the Beitbridge RDC and we are now on the ground to do our work. We might be here to stay and be part of this beautiful community forever,” he said.
Mcilo Construction’s donation is definitely a milestone to the station which at the moment said it struggles with rentals for its current location inside a Government complex where it pays above US$400 monthly.
“Apart from the bricks, we are giving Lotsha 100 bags of cement which we have pledged publicly here. There will also be another US$1 000 for that purpose,” Senda said on the night his company stood out at the dinner.
Mcilo partners with the Beitbridge RDC for the building of smart cities in planned rural urbanisation centres across the district.
It also partners the local authority in the development of modern riverfront ventures along he mighty Limpopo River particularly in Beitbridge East not occupied by farmlands.
An official of the Beitbridge RDC who attended the Lotsha FM Fundraiser Dinner Peter Ncube confirmed the development.
“It is correct we are partnering them in these projects in line with Government’s policy on rural urbanisation,” Ncube said.
Contributions on the night could have easily finished building the Lotsha FM offices on the night Matabeleland South Minister Of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe donated an internet link device from Starlink.
In his keynote address Nguluvhe said community radio stations were non profit-making institutions which should be supported by businesses and the community they serve.
“I call on you – business leaders, corporates, and every member of this community. Lotsha FM is not a government station. It is a community-driven, non-profit asset. Its survival depends on collective ownership,” he said.
“To the private sector, invest in Lotsha FM as you would invest in your market. Advertising, sponsorships, and partnerships here do more than promote your brand – they build an informed customer base and strengthen social cohesion.”
He said the community should support the station through small contributions, participation, and feedback while in turn Lotsha FM should guard the editorial independence, build local capacity, and ensure financial transparency.
Nguluvhe urged the Municipality of Beitbridge to donate a stand for Lotsha and personally implored this on Mayor Peter Pirato Mafuta who was in attendance and donated subscriptions for the Starlink Device for 10 months.
Several individuals other individuals and companies donated cash and materials while others donated their services to the station which is yet to have full time staff due to financial constraints.
Earlier thus year Vice President Kembo Mohadi donated US10 000 used to buy a Public Address System unveiled on the night.
Lotsha FM will also take delivery of a small car Mohadi donated on the same day.
Lotsha FM was officially launched on February 18, 2023.
The community radio station, which broadcasts primarily in the TshiVenda language, is based in Beitbridge and covers a 60km radius on the 90.1 FM frequency.
Its official launch coincided with the belated World Radio Day celebrations.