As Chanco Community Radio is commemorating its 12th anniversary since its official launch today, the Station Manager for the radio station has assured its listeners of that it will continue implementing and producing content that will benefit the community.
Station Manager for Chanco Community Radio, Gracious Mulinga, says the station is currently working on revamping and introducing more interactive programs in a bid to provide the audience with information that is aligning with current trends.
“We want to continue making a positive impact to our audience. Therefore, we want to be engaging with them frequently so that as a radio we can give them content that is relevant as well as learn where we are lacking so that we can improve our services,” explained Mulinga.
According to Mulinga, the past 12 years have been impactful as witnessed by audience engagement and awards won by the station and members of staff.
He, however, highlighted some challenges the station has faced especially in terms of reaching out to a larger listenership due to topography and FM refarming.
“Our target audience are communities of the Lake Chilwa Basin. Due to topographical reasons, we are unable to reach some of them. The FM refarming has also made it hard for us because some of the areas we could reach previously are now being covered on the same frequency by other community radios,” added Mulinga.
In her remarks, one of the radio’s listeners, Lucy Mpokosa, says she has learnt a lot about environmental conservation as well as networking with other listeners through programmes like Bwalo la Amayi.
“There are a lot of things which I didn’t think could be achieved through listening to various radio programs but right now I am able to improve my household through lessons I get on Chanco Community Radio and I now understand the importance of belonging to social groups,” Mpokosa said.
Chanco Community radio is owned by the University of Malawi and was officially launched on 22 July, 2013.
