The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Post Correspondent
LOCAL radio station, Diamond FM has spread its wings to churches and schools through offering outside broadcast services as they seek to broaden listenership base while taking the radio to the people.
The much sought after radio station has so far broadcasted the Episcopal ordination of Bishop Paul Horan held in August at Marymount Teachers’ College, the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Mothers’ Union conference at St Augustine’s Mission in Penhalonga, the annual commemoration of the late martyr, Bernard Mizeki at the latter’s shrine in Marondera.
And lately, the popular radio station broadcasted live for an hour at Revival Centre Ministries in Dangamvura where scores of people gathered to witness some prophetic and healing sessions as well as a live sermon conducted by its leader, Prophet Adventure Mutepfa.
In an interview, the radio’s station manager, Leander Kandiero, said they also had taken their Mobile Integrated Social and Health Awareness (MISHA) project to schools as they seek to reach out to school children.
The project which was launched a few months ago seeks to augment efforts made by Government, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society, and churches, among other stakeholders in informing and protecting families against life-threatening diseases such as HIV and Aids, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, malaria and tuberculosis as well as social ills bedevilling communities.
“It was our first time broadcasting live at a Pentecostal church, broadcasting a live sermon was a refreshing experience.
“It was a message to our listeners that we can do it. The OB in churches gives a platform for people who would have failed to make it to church to listen to live sermons in the comfort of their home,” said Kandiero.
The radio station charges $300 for OB services for an hour.
“MISHA’s response has been overwhelming. The impact has been encouraging and listeners (from outside Mutare) who have been listening to our programmes through live streaming have been giving us encouraging feedback.
“After presenting the MISHA project to Mutare’s Central Business District, low, medium and high-density suburbs such as Sakubva, Dangamvura, Florida, Chikanga and Morningside among others, we have moved into schools to accord school children an opportunity to learn about health issues as well as social ills. We usually play host to a panel of professionals from organisations such as Ministry of Health and Child Care among other stakeholders,” added Kandiero.
Last week they took MISHA to First Class Academy and this week they went to Mutare Boys’ High School.
