Welcome to the "ZIMBABWE (BY COLIN MILLER)" webpage of The Pumamouse Website. The following informative essay was written and provided by Colin Miller. It was originally published in the Monitoring Times, and it is now included here for your enjoyment with Mr. Miller's knowledge and consent. Thank you, Colin! |
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| RBC Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation Zimbabwe (By Colin Miller) |
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| ZIMBABWE by Colin Miller, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, May 2001 Part of an article originally published in Monitoring Times Broadcasting began in 1932, when stations were opened in Salisbury and Bulawayo, using callsigns ZEA and ZEB respectively. During World War II, studios were built in the old Post Office building on Manica Road in Salisbury. Early editions of the World Radio Handbook indicate short-wave use by 1 kW stations at Salisbury and Bulawayo, and 1.5 kW transmitters at Gwelo and Umtali. By 1954 the short-wave facilities had been upgraded to two transmitters of 7.5 kW and one of 300 watts at Salisbury. A chain of 2 kW medium wave stations was established in towns along the main railroad route. For economic reasons, these facilities were installed in existing Post Office buildings and linked to the main studios by telephone lines. During the fifties, the Central African Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was created, consisting of present-day Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The Federal Broadcasting Corporation was set up in 1958 and was modeled on the BBC. It existed until the end of 1963 when the Federation was dissolved prior to the independence of Malawi and Zambia. Southern Rhodesia then became a separate country, and the Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation was formed. In 1961 a constitution was promulgated, which provided for White rule in Rhodesia. On November 11, 1965, the then Prime Minister Ian Smith unilaterally declared independence from Britain. This was not recognized by the British government, which demanded voting rights for the African majority. The United Nations introduced sanctions, and a guerilla war followed that would ultimately claim the lives of thousands. At the end of 1965, the BBC set up a relay station in Francistown, not far from the border in neighboring Botswana. This station used a 10 kW short-wave transmitter and relayed both the World and African Services. Whenever the current affairs program The World and Rhodesia was broadcast, the station was heavily jammed by the Rhodesian authorities. The BBC station eventually closed in 1968. In the early sixties, all short-wave operations were centralized at the Guinea Fowl site near Gweru. This station is situated almost at the geographical center of Zimbabwe. The first transmitters were rated at 10 and 20 kW. High-powered Thomson transmitters of 100 kW were added in 1968. Vertical-incidence omnidirectional antennas served an area within a 200-mile radius of Gweru. Also in 1968, the RBC expanded its services further with a number of local community stations. The first of these was known as Radio Jacaranda in Salisbury, named for the purple-blossomed trees that line its streets in September and October. This was followed by Radio Matopos in Bulawayo. The Matopos is a hilly area near the city, and also the site of Cecil Rhodes' grave. The last local station, Radio Manica, was located in Umtali, a picturesque town situated on the Mozambique border. In 1975 the first FM station opened in the Salisbury and Bulawayo areas and the network was gradually expanded to 22 stations covering the whole country. Zimbabwe gained its independence on April 18, 1980, and Robert Mugabe was elected Prime Minister. He has been the country's only ruler since independence. Majority rule was established at last, following many years of White domination and the guerilla war. After independence many towns had their names changed. Salisbury was called Harare, Gwelo became Gweru, and Umtali was renamed Mutare. The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) was created, and is the sole broadcasting authority in the country. Shortly after independence the radio services were reorganized. The General Service was renamed Radio 1, while the African Service was known as Radio 2. Today, the ZBC operates four radio channels. Radio 1 broadcasts for 19 hours a day in English, thus covering a broad spectrum of listeners. Programs include news and information, a variety of music, light entertainment, sport, comedy, quizzes and drama. Radio 2 also broadcasts for 19 hours a day, in Shona, Ndebele and other vernacular languages. The station serves the majority of the rural and urban population that is largely Black. Two thirds of music played on Radio 2 is produced locally. The station's program lineup includes discussions, features and drama on social, cultural, sporting and economic issues. Radio 3 is a 24-hour commercial music station aimed at the youth. It provides fast-paced music, entertainment, information and education. The majority of its listeners are young people who are highly receptive. Finally, Radio 4 is an educational channel, which broadcasts for 19 hours a day in Shona, Ndebele, English and the minority languages of Chewa, Tonga, Venda, Kalanga and Shangani. The audience demographics depends on the nature of the educational programs being broadcast at the time. Radio 4 works closely with the Ministry of Education's Audio Visual Services, as well as other relevant government ministries and non-governmental organizations. Short-wave transmissions were temporarily discontinued in 1991, as it was felt that the country was adequately covered by FM transmitters. However, in October 1994 relays of Radio 1 and Radio 2 were resumed on a test basis, and on December 5 President Mugabe officially inaugurated the short-wave service at the Guinea Fowl site near Gweru. The site now consists of two log-periodic antennas and two Continental 100 kW transmitters. The official short-wave schedule is as follows: Radio 2 in Shona, Ndebele and English: 0300 - 0530 3306 0530 - 1630 6045 1630 - 2200 3306 Radio 4, an educational channel in English: 0300 - 0530 3396 0400 - 0530 4828 0530 - 1630 5975 1630 - 2200 4828 3396 However, according to monitoring observations made in February and early May at Sentech in South Africa, the only frequency in use is 6045, carrying Radio 2. It would appear that this channel is in use during the whole broadcast day from 0300 - 2200 UTC. So ZBC must be having problems with one of its transmitters. The Future In the year 2000 the Supreme Court passed a Bill that would end the government's monopoly on broadcasting. The ZBC is planning to commercialize more of its services in preparation for the competition which will arise. Under the new law, only one independent radio station will be allowed to compete with ZBC, as well as one new TV station. Pirate broadcasters would face a heavy fine. Zimbabwe thus provides a challenge for DXers in North America. Your best bet would be at sign on 0300 on 6045, but RFI Paris in Russian to Europe might cause some QRM. Good luck! |
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