SW Radio Africa – bringing Zimbabwe to Zimbabweans, wherever you are.
Friday 21st: It’s the usual daily chat show Callback, where Farai extends a festive helping hand to less fortunate Zimbabweans struggling to survive in South Africa, and Simon Dreadman’ talks about the implications for Zimbabweans of a Zuma led government. Then Africa on Zimbabwe returns with another opportunity to listen to an African continental perspective by media practitioners from the rest of the continent.
Saturday 22nd: We have some festive Callback. For many, this won’t be a time of celebration and joy, so Zimbabweans at home and abroad share their thoughts on 2007, and their hopes and wishes for 2008. On our pre-Xmas HEALTHbeat, Tapiwa Kujinga reflects on the major events and occurrences of the past year in the field of HIV and AIDS. These include the antiretroviral distribution programme, the controversy surrounding the alternative cocktail remedy Gundamiti, and the reported decline in the HIV prevalence rate. John speaks to more Zimbabweans as the clocks begin the countdown Towards 2008.
Sunday 23rd: Join Richard for an African Christmas celebration on Through the Valley where there will be music and stories from across the continent. Some 350 million Christians in Africa will mark the birth of the Messiah; even in these difficult times the people of Zimbabwe can celebrate and join in the joy of the occasion. We have the usual repeats of the best Callback interviews of the week, and then Positive, the programme for people living with HIV and AIDS brings back regular participants Emmanuel and MadziBaba. They are joined by Mandisa, the programme producer and they reflect on the most notable events of the past year. Talking drum focuses on African Artists living in the Diaspora, and Les chats to Madagascan musician Modeste Hugues, a phenomenal guitarist and prolific songwriter about his musical roots and influences. Modeste also treats us to some intimate live music.
Monday 24th: On this Christmas Eve Callback Zimbabweans focus on the traditional meaning of Christmas and what it means to people who are not able to celebrate it in the manner that they are accustomed. On ZimAlive Tererai talks to Peter Moyo about the special club called Zim Café which he co-founded in South Africa, and which has been described as home away from home by Zimbabweans with a feast of music and mazondo! The idea is to promote and support Zimbabwean talent and businesses by putting on live music events and offering Zim products at a discount for members. We also hear from writer Chenjerai Hove about life in the diaspora, and a special year-end poem by Tererai himself. Love is the Message features messages of hope for the New Year from influential religious leaders in Zimbabwe. Messages from this diverse group of clergy have one thing in common; that there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel and when we emerge from it there is much bounty awaiting us. We hear from Reverend Musasiwa, Reverend Graham Shaw, Father Oskar Wermter and Bishop Paul Verryn among others. Musicians Speak Out visits two of Zimbabwe’s virtuoso Mbira players, Chiwoniso Maraire and Virginia Mukwesha. Songbird Chii has already established herself as one of the country’s top musicians with three solo albums under her belt, while the seasoned Mukwesha takes over the torch from her mother, the legendary Stella Chiweshe.
Tuesday 25th: Join us for Christmas messages in Callback as Zimbabweans the world over share their hopes, thoughts and prayers, and we have a special blessing from Rev Ray Pountney. Then it’s Hotseat where Violet’s guests are Judith Todd, human rights campaigner and daughter of the late Prime Minister of Rhodesia Sir Garfield Todd, and political analyst Professor Stanford Mukasa. The recent death of Ian Smith the former Rhodesian Prime Minister has unavoidably prompted a context for evaluating the quality of independence that Zimbabweans inherited in April 1980. Did 1980 mark the real transfer of power from the white settler regime to the black majority in Zimbabwe? What were the expectations of Zimbabweans when independence came in April? These are some of the questions Violet asks in this 3-part Christmas Special. Join Tererai, Richard and Violet for Seka Mhani, an hilarious half hour of jokes and anecdotes in English and Shona. Laughter is the perfect remedy for those holiday blues, and nothing beats serious news people making fools of themselves and everything sacred! And bringing this Christmas 2007 to a close the staff of SW Radio Africa share their thoughts and wishes for the New Year with Christmas Messages for all.
Wednesday 26th: Boxing Day kicks of with the Baddies of the Year Awards, dedicated to all those individuals who will be remembered for what they did, or what they didn’t do in 2007. On Different Points of View Duane Udd blesses us with a special new Christmas poem titled “Where is he that is born”. As always issues affecting Zimbabwe are woven into this tale. Arts Attack hosts three of the country’s leading artists; filmmaker/curator Raphael Chikukwa, award-winning writer Brian Chikwava and sculptor, Mambo Munya Madziva.
Thursday 27th: On Zimbabweans in South Africa Mandisa is joined by three Zimbabweans who are currently based in South Africa. Of the approximate 4 million Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, 3 million are said to be in South Africa. Since they are just across the border from home’ does this mean that they bear an added responsibility to advocate for change back home? Lance and Brilliant present the Christmas edition of On the Pulse 2007 Review where they talk about how the meaning of Christmas has changed for the average Zimbabwean, given current economic hardships. They also feature the usual mix of music with songs from DKR, Jusa, Woza Africa, David Mabvuramiti, Sean Kingston, Q-Stick ft Ceejay and others. Waxin’ Political showcases Zimbabwean talent, and features poets speaking about the current crisis and other important issues. These creative Zimbos are young and passionate; they have strong opinions and have never felt that oppressive legislation was enough to silence them
Friday 28th: Democracy in Africa solicits ideas from respected analysts as to why the establishment of stable democratic governments seems to be so difficult on the African continent. Are there colonial remnants still at play or do local cultures require that a chief or king rule for life? Do those who fought liberation wars naturally develop a sense of personal ownership of their countries? And are younger, more educated generations the ones that will break this vicious cycle of dictatorships? Afritude Problem gets historical in this special holiday edition exploring the evolution of Chimurenga music. We speak to the godfather and creator’ of the genre, Thomas Mapfumo; US-based guitar maestro Zivanai Masango, who is largely seen as the bridge to the new generation of Chimurenga; and the exciting duo Divided Kingdom Republic. Tichaona presents Civil Society in 2007. Various organisations have called upon the main opposition party, MDC not to back-track on their demand for a new constitution before next year’s general elections. Pro-democracy activists Glen Mpani and Courage Shumba join Tichaona to debate whether civil society organisations are justified in pressuring the opposition to demand a new constitution before the 2008 elections.
Saturday 29th: Young Zimbabweans in the Diaspora reflect on 2007 and share their hopes and wishes for the New Year on Callback. In HEALTHbeat Tapiwa Kujinga joins us in the final programme of this year where he focuses on anticipated developments in 2008, including the Global Fund bid. Then we say goodbye and pay homage to a very dear friend, Moosa Kasimunje, founder and Director of the Just Children Foundation who sadly passed away in November. In Sports Round-up 2007 Tichaona speaks to national team defender Zvenyika Makonese, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe President Joseph Mungwari and former Warriors coach Roy Barretto, who are all part of a growing number of sports personalities frustrated by the country’s deepening political crisis, and are beginning to realise that their careers are slowly being threatened by this dire situation. Then John once again focuses on what Zimbabweans are thinking as they head Towards 2008.
Sunday 30th: Following the biggest event of the Christian year comes a time to look ahead and plan for a better year than the one that has past. In Through the Valley Richard explores the ability of people to change their lives. He shares his resolutions for 2008 and plays some of the best gospel music ever performed. As usual it’s Positive, and as the year draws to a close MadziBaba talks to Mandisa about his hopes for the forthcoming year and what developments can improve things for people living with HIV and AIDS? Join Tich for Election Preview. The elections are scheduled to take place in 2008, but there are fears that millions of Zimbabweans have not bothered to register to vote because they have lost faith in the electoral process. Bernard Chiondegwa, the MDC’s aspiring candidate for Chivi North in Masvingo province, shares his thoughts with Tich on the electoral process. Lance speaks to prominent religious figures about The Church in Politics. Zimbabwe has seen the mushrooming of bogus churches that owe their existence to Zanu PF patronage. Should genuine Christians be actively seeking to export their values to the political arena to try to break this pollution of the church?
Monday 31st: As 2007 draws to a close, Zimbabweans the world over focus their collective wishes for a better 2008 on Callback, followed by Celebratory New Year messages where celebrities give their Christmas and New Year messages. Ezra ‘Tshisa’ Sibanda, Felix ‘Happy Smiler’ Nganjo, Cee Jay, Sindiso Muhlwa, Tawanda Chitifa and Makosi Musambasi are some of those who recorded messages for our listeners. The crisis in Zimbabwe is a tragedy for the human population, but it’s also a tragedy for the wildlife and the environment. With such a desperate economic situation people have no choice but to poach animals for food and cut down the forests for firewood. Johnny Rodrigues of the Zimbabwe Conservation Taskforce speaks to Gerry in this Wildlife Special and tells us that without political will to change the situation, it can only get much worse. Then join John for the final Nostalgia of the year.
Tuesday 1st: The news team takes an all inclusive look at 2007 with all the big stories that made headlines on News Review 2007. Judith Todd and Professor Stanford Mukasa are back on Hotseat for the second episode of the three-part series on Ian Smith’s legacy. Smith was accused of being a racist, and of killing thousands of black people. He led an oppressive regime, but what did he represent in the white colonial community? Was there a significant community that was liberal? Violet also asks Judith to tell us more about the politics of her father Sir Garfield Todd who was one of the first white Prime Ministers to humanise Africans by giving them an identity. Was he a necessary development in the struggle for independence? Finally, John has a look at Zimbabwean Civil Society in South Africa.
Remember there’s always something for everyone on SW Radio Africa, Zimbabwe’s Independent Voice.
All of us at SW Radio Africa would like to thank each and every one of our loyal listeners for their unwavering support during this past year. We wish you all the very best during this festive season and pray that 2008 will be the year that brings peace and prosperity to all Zimbabweans.
SW RADIO AFRICA – on line 24 hours a day at www.swradioafrica.com and daily broadcasts on 7125kHz in the 40m band; and 4880 kHz in the 60m band between 7 – 9 pm Zimbabwe time.
Mandisa B Mundawarara
SW Radio Africa’Zimbabwe’s Independent Voice’
SW 11810 kHz, 1203hKz & 4880kHz (19h00 – 21h00)
http://www.swradioafrica.com
SW Radio Africa is an independent station run by and for Zimbabweans. We broadcast on short wave to Southern Africa, and world-wide on the internet. We are not affiliated to any political party.
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