The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Entertainment Correspondent
IT was pomp and fanfare in Chipinge urban as the Zimpapers-owned radio station Diamond FM on Wednesday held its first outside broadcast since spreading its wings in the district.
The station is now on air in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts on FM 107.5 on FM Dial.
Hordes of people from Chipinge braved the chilly weather and attended the exciting event in which they, for the first time, rubbed shoulders with their favourite presenters.
The presenters Hardlife ‘‘Hardy Zu’’ Zuweni, Michelle ‘‘Zion Asset’’ Bwititi and Chaya Maningi did not disappoint as they left many clamouring for more while Christopher Siduna, fondly known as Mutape, was in his own league as mesmerised revellers with his deep and unadulterated Ndau dialect.
The locals actively participated as they had the opportunity to greet their loved ones.
The event was graced by the Zimpapers radio division general manager Comfort Mbofana.
Chipinge business community chairperson James Gabaza said the expansion of Diamond Fm to Chipinge was an opportunity for them to advertise their services and products.
“We are grateful with this development. We have a potential to grow as Chipinge and we hope the businesspeople in the district will use this platform to advertise their services and products,” he said.
Representative of the civil society in Chipinge, Bongani Chuma said the expansion of Diamond FM airwaves was a welcome development and will go a long way in disseminating information.
“The coming in of Diamond FM is welcome and we hope it will benefit our communities with current affairs.
“As we all know Chipinge and Chimanimani districts are frequently hit by natural disasters, and we hope we will use this platform to inform and alert the community on these and other issues,” he said.
Diamond FM station manager Jabulani ‘JB’ Mangezi said the radio station’s outside broadcast in Chipinge was part of its efforts to engage and interact with listeners.
“This is an opportunity for people in Chipinge to access the radio as a platform, not only for entertainment, but source of verified and reliable information on matters that affect their day-to-day lives. We would like to thank listeners in Chipinge and Chimanimani for the overwhelming response,” he said.
