Africa-Press – Mauritius. Radio remains the greatest tool of communication in the world, the Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology Mr Thulagano Segokgo has said.
Mr Segokgo was speaking at the World Radio Day commemorations in Shakawe on Tuesday. He said that radio played a pivotal role in building communities and saving lives as it was easily accessible even in crisis and in far places.
Radio has over 100 years of informing, entertaining and educating people, he said, in line with this year’s theme: A century Informing, Entertaining and Educating.
Mr Segokgo said that radio contributed significantly to gender equality as seen by the number of women in both national and private radio stations. “Radio brings unity in the nation, informs people and provides platform for peaceful dialogue,” he said.
He said that radio has since grown in Botswana from having the national station Radio Botswana to private radio stations of Yarona FM, Duma FM and Gabz FM who were all accessible countrywide.
Mr Segokgo stated that his ministry managed to expand the frequency spectrum for local radio stations to reach other parts of the country such as Okavango, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, and Kweneng.
He said the expansion was possible through funds from the Universal Services and Access Fund, which was responsible for ensuring that no one was left behind in terms of telecommunications in Botswana.
Mr Segokgo observed that an increase in the number of radio stations meant people had diverse choice of stations to listen to. He said that it was easy to access radios nowadays due to technology advancement as they were accessed even through phones.
Member of Parliament for Okavango, Mr Kenny Kapinga said that having all radio stations accessible in Okavango would provide diversity to listeners. Mr Kapinga said that radio was a convenient tool since it was accessible even in remote areas, and therefore helped in improving lives across board.
He said what was outstanding was establishment of community radio stations in the country. Shakawe Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo said it was a historical moment for the commemorations to be held in his village.
Kgosi Mbambo said that in the past Okavango residents only accessed the national radio station as well as radio stations from neighbouring countries such as Radio Caprivi. He appreciated that the residents now had a variety of choice from local radio stations.
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