Dear All,
It is interesting and honouring to read from people we hold to be our mentors (Zane Ibrahim - Bush Radio) in community media discuss issues with us the young ones.
I am glad now that things are becoming clearer on issues concerning community media in Zambia and Africa as a whole.

It is true the aspect of community radio easily loses direction because of wannabbee DJs and presenters that are just their to improve their profile in the community. Training for such people is very vital to get rid of the notion that most volunteers have. Some volunteer because they want to be heard on radio and some volunteer because they want to serve and improve their community. It is very important that volunteers are taken on some kind of merit so that we try to get rid of wannabe personalities.

I have heard a lot about Breeze FM and I would one want to travel there and I want the Breeze people to come to Chikuni Radio also to share community radio experiences. As Zane said, it is true that when you are teaching, you are also learning from those being taught.

The community radios should start working on serving the people in the best way possible and not working on being the best community radio. You can be the best radio station, but you are doing nothing to your community. I agree and understand the 90% community and 10% radio.

Most people and indeed government insitutions do not see community radio as service delivery point. Government has a lot of info to give to the people, but they never do this through the radio that is with the community. I guess the community has and would feel great ownership when they actively participate in the production of programmes. With programme participation, they would feel much more as owners as one of their own is speaking to them. They would listen and follow, for it is from one of them.

Community media is the best communication tool for the rural communities in Zambia and Africa as a whole. Let us utilise this chance we have to bring about positive change in our communities.