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 Authorities at the State-controlled broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), recently banned a new radio show after one of the show's producers, Cont Mhlanga, refused to take a slant supporting Zanu PF.
Mhlanga, who is the founder and director of leading Bulawayo arts centre, Amakhosi Culture Centre and Performing Arts Academy, was recently elected as an independent councillor in his home area of Lupane, Matabeleland North Province.
The Amakhosi Morning Show was scheduled to go on air on the June 19, and would broadcast every Thursday on SFM from 7:30AM to 8:00AM.
"The radio show was to feature content from the youth talent and the country's legends in the performance industry. It carried a segment where young aspiring performers would write to Amakhosi asking Cont Mhlanga a question and he would respond by discussing it with Luke Mkandla, the host of the show," said a statement from Mhlanga.
Added the statement: "We were left guessing as to why the show was first approved by the station leading to Amakhosi paying for the first seven episodes and going into production, then the show was mysteriously not on air on the 19th … Amakhosi was then informed that the radio show will not be allowed on air and the station SFM will refund the payment."
No official comment could be obtained from ZBC. Public Relations Manager, Sivukile Simango was said to be out of office. But a source at the State broadcaster confirmed they had "blacklisted" Mhlanga because of his increasingly critical stance on ZANU PF.
Mhlanga responded, saying: "Amakhosi maintains that the ZBC is a public broadcaster that does not belong to any political party in the country ZANU PF included, despite the fact that unprofessional ruling party operatives try to manage it and give the impression that it is a ZANU PF station …Well, ban our programmes off air but the truth will never change." - (VOP)
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