IT’s not for this column to compare Zambia’s current leading radio soccer commentators; ZNBC’s Leonard Chibasa Mwila and Amos Lombe from Radio Icengelo.
Coincidentally, both commentators are based in Kitwe on the Copperbelt, each one of them has his style of doing live soccer commentaries.
We are, however, compelled to cite them because they separately ran live commentaries of the Zambia versus Guinea Bissau 2017 Gabon AFCON qualifier played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium last weekend.
It was the same match being played at the same time, yet each commentator gave a different picture of what was happening on the same pitch.
Broadcasting on 95.7 FM on ZNBC’s Radio Two, Chibasa was in his usual fast and smooth running, while Lombe on Radio Icengelo’s 102.9 FM was running cool.
Chibasa, who was being assisted by Aaron Phiri often veered off the field of play to include extra information unrelated to the match at hand.
Leonard occasionally told listeners about some personalities he notices at the stadium and sometimes goes back into history of some fallen soccer players.
He would also remember some of his old friends from as far back as school, this he does as the game progresses, he would reconnect listeners back like; “Here comes the ball, and the referee blows out for a free kick.”
Unless one is watching from the television, listeners lose concentration of the actualities on the pitch, the moment a commentator veers off with other commentaries.
Television commentators have the luxury to bring in other topics as the game progresses, because fans will be able to see the match as commentators chat to themselves.
One thing you cannot take away from Chibasa is the rhythm and tempo at which he carries his listeners throughout the match.
Lombe, who was assisted by Valentine Mukuka and Fletcher concentrates more on the pitch and he is rather too particular with every detail. He too has the rhythm and captivating.
Lombe is sometimes calm and paints a picture like the match is not as interesting, maybe one would say he simply comes out natural, telling it as it is without exaggeration.
Like said in this preamble, it all depends on how individual listeners receive the commentaries, some would like it the Chibasa way, while others prefer the Lombe style.
From the professional point of view,   it is said that as much as radio commentaries are different compared to those carried out on television, the style is almost the same.
For radio, however, one has to be more imaginative” in order for the listener to appreciate what one is talking about.
On radio one needs to be much more descriptive to create a picture in the mind of the listener since they are not able to see the pictures.
One has to inform listeners where on the pitch the ball is, give an indication where the receiving player is and the movement of other players.
When the ball is crossed into the box, listeners need to know where it is coming from, whether it is near the by-line or further downfield, which means the quality and significance of the cross, differs. It’s not enough to just say the ball is being played into the box.”
In television commentary, everyone sees what is happening and the role of a commentator is more to be more analytical, and hence the creation of the role of a co-commentator who talks tactics, potential scenarios and gives a more in-depth perspective.
In television, the commentator does not need to mention each and every player who is on the ball, and at times even a pause helps as the viewers can see what is happening.
The key to success in both radio and television commentary is preparation, commentators need seconds to give details and little time to refer to notes.
They also have to know the players, not only by name but by the way they run, walk and their physical profiles for easy identification.
With the given explanations above, it is clear that becoming a professional “live” soccer commentator requires a lot of work and a lot of practice if one has to be noticed.
DEAR JACK
We received yet another valuable contribution from Kasebamashila Kaseba who wrote; “In reading “Reading headlines” (Radio Review, STOZ, 07.06.15); I read with interest the paragraph ZNBC RADIO ONE “Kabusha Takolelwe Bowa” (I also follow it). The two paragraphs appraised and praised Lusaka Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta’s multilingual articulation of Bemba, Soli and Lenje.
I noted that you didn’t hint the subject matter except for language or multilingualism.
First, it is important to note that ZNBC Radio One’s multilingualism, as regards guests and callers, is beyond so-called seven major languages.
In this respect, ZNBC Radio One is a leader that could help or train community radio and television stations staff.
In fact, ZNBC needs to climb to another level of including other languages above seven from eight to 20 like Lamba, Nkoya, Tumbuka, Soli, Lenje, Namwanga, Lala, Kunda, Nsenga etc which languages are heard from many phone callers (or guests) but not from presenters and not from ZNBC policy position.
Imagine, in Lamba among others, ZNBC is junior to or behind the complained of Radio Chimwemwe’s programme.
In other words, ZNBC Radio One’s inclusiveness policy of seven languages has underplayed staff recruitment of other national languages or the fact that the so-called seven major languages do not entirely represent One Zambia, One Nation or that the seven languages maybe fewer than the discriminated 50 or 60 languages.
For example, does ZNBC Radio One deliberately recruit Lenje, Ila, Soli, Sala and Toka Leya staff to speak their languages as part of the Bantu Botatwe and its affirmative action?
Or can Kaonde or Bemba recruit Lamba or Lala or Tabwa staff as part of multilingual affirmative action?
I think you wish to know that ZNBC Radio One Bemba Section selection and invitation of Mwaliteta was primarily on the basis of Bemba language speaking than the issue and problems. And which is partly why he struck you with his Bemba language over the issue and solution.
Therefore, it is important to note that Mwaliteta’s multilingualism; like President Edgar Lungu’s Lamba, better than Radio Chimwemwe callers; is about “minority” (Soli) speaker knowing “majority” (Bemba) languages.
In addition, I have noted Enock Kavindele, Ormond Musonda, Given Lubinda, Wynter Kabimba etc among public figures who are multilingual of at least two languages.
However, it would be important to note Bemba, Lozi, Tonga and “Nyanja”, almost in that order, the worst is first, are generally bad multilinguists of other major and minor languages.
On the other hand, the minor “major” languages of Kaonde, Lundas and Luvales are better multilinguists. And the above public figures, more or less, are drawn from minor “major” languages. I am to come across an excellent Bemba multi-linguist. Professor Mubanga Kashoki has not been convincing.
Therefore, while Mwaliteta didn’t just answer the questions and problems (which you incidentally omitted) but also answered the question of language proficiency or multilingualism only because he was from the host minority Soli language.
I can guess the Bemba presenter and “Bakabusha” may not have asked questions in Soli or Lenje or greetings and farewells.
Mwaliteta’s commendable articulation, according to you, “dispels concerns of some listeners who thought that only Bemba-speaking MPs feature on that programme.”
On the contrary, I think Mwaliteta speaking Bemba and speaking it well, is not surprising, because he was the one complying with the requirement.
In fact, it raises a counter concern of Bemba-speaking MPs or national leaders (or presenters) not articulating (answer and solve problems) in any other ZNBC major languages than Bemba itself. It is also about Bemba presenters’ failure to invite non-Bembas or operate outside Bemba.
For example, how about imagining MoIBS Chishimba Kambwili or President Lungu on Radio One in all the seven languages?
For me, I would have appreciated appraisal of presenters’ multilingual skills of switching to Soli or Lenje. I suppose journalists are the ones more obliged to learn and switch languages than guests.
I have interviewed a Nkoya and a Namwanga in Lenje being anchored by a Tonga. It also worked with Soli, Ila, Lamba and Nyanja.
Otherwise, keep the discourse on.
Kind regards,
Kasebamashila Kaseba.”
Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com   0955115777