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| National |
| Mamwa, community fight for Dzimwe Radio |
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by
Aubrey Mchulu, 14 July 2003
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14:07:51
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A wrangle has erupted between the Malawi Media Women Association (Mamwa) and people from around Dzimwe in Monkey Bay, Mangochi over the ownership of the Unesco-funded 50-kilometre radius community radio.
Sources said the community, led by messrs Pelekamoyo, Cassim Chigwenembe and Fred Chizule of Monkey Bay applied to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) for a licence to operate the radio, saying Mamwa’s contract expired.
The community argues that they have to take over the running of the radio because Unesco’s terms of reference indicated that Mamwa were supposed to train the locals on how to run the radio and then hand it over to the community after one year.
Dzimwe community radio, which covers issues on women, the girl-child and the environment, was officially launched by former Information Minister Sam Mpasu in November 1998 to address social concerns like HIV/Aids, illiteracy, teenage pregnancies and environmental degradation on the Monkey Bay/Nankumba peninsula.
Macra on Thursday called the wrangling parties—Mamwa, the community representatives and Unesco—to a round-table discussion at its offices in Blantyre.
Mamwa secretary Irene Phalula confirmed the meeting took place but refused to disclose details referring the matter to Macra.
Unesco assistant executive secretary (communication) Emmanuel Kondowe, who also attended the meeting, said Macra is better placed to comment on the issue.
“Macra will give you a holistic picture of the whole issue,” Kondowe said, refusing to commit himself on the community’s argument that the radio was supposed to be handed over to them after a year or so.
Macra’s Director General Evance Namanja was reported out to a meeting while an officer to whom his secretary referred the issue said negotiations were still under way. |
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