IN this era and age where most radio stations have almost similar programming of playing same music and live phone-in programmes from open to close, anything different counts.
We can bet that radio listeners are likely to hear one same song playing at a switch of the dial, or will plunge into a live phone-in programme at any radio station they tune to.
One wonders what happened to such informative programming like women’s magazines, business news discussions, profiles and other serious debates on radio.
ICENGELO
In the same vein of breaking monotony on radio, Radio Icengelo’s Msanide Banda Musonda played a complete different genre of music last Saturday night.
While many lady deejays comfortably play the same over-played songs, Msanide dropped good local tunes from the old school, punctuating it with hilarious commentaries.
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On the same radio, Caitriona Chisompola Phiri does Health Talk, Farmers Forum, a programme that targets farmers promotes farming as a method of earning income for households.
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Chilufya Masongo and Ba Mikaeli Chatengwa’s Amapinda ne Nshimi has an innovation in the telling of tales on the their programme by Ba Shikulu Mwango.
For those new on radio, Amapinda ne Nshimi, is an educative presentation of African riddles and stories in which Ba Chatengwa explains the wisdom behind some African riddles and tales.
RCV
Radio Christian Voice (RCV) has another innovation in the duo Choolwe Mweemba and Dario’s presentation of a Bible quiz on Tuesday mornings.
One needs to tune in to weigh how much some radio listeners know the Bible, it is interesting that even when the quiz runs with multiple choice answers, some cannot answer to a question like who in the Bible killed his brother? Cain or Abel?
SUN FM
Costas Constantacopoulos is breaking monotony on Sun FM radio in Ndola with a considerable following on his Rock Session presentation every Monday evenings.
Going by a number of requests Costas read out last Monday, the programme is becoming popular.
RADIO CHIMWEMWE
Talking about breaking monotony, we hear Ndola’s Radio Chimwemwe features a Ndola man calling himself Calendar professor.
Richard Kunda, who features on a programme ‘Days Corner Show’ on Friday at 21:00 hours, is able to state on which day an event happened given the date, month and year.
Days Corner has attracted listeners who wish to know on which particular day they were born.
On this programme, callers provide the date, month and year for Kunda to state the particular day of the week an event happened within a minute.
For this ability, the Ministry of Education has since granted him permission to teach his skills to some schools in Ndola.
DStv
Radio listeners will find a DStv advertisement running on most radio stations interesting because it is one of the few that are logical.
In that advert, a young boy (Junior) complains to Dr HD Turner why he is unable to see his friends to play with; “Is there any problem Dr Turner,” Junior asks.
Dr HD Taylor then responds that there is no problem at all, except Junior’s friends get glued to DStvs in their homes. Dr Turner later advises Junior to ask for DStv and turn anything not DStv off: “If it’s not DStv, turn it off!.
Dr HD Turner concludes by reminding Junior not to miss school because of watching DStv: “But go to school Junior!” Dr Turner concludes.
The entire advert is conversed in an exciting, hilarious manner, but also sending out a clear message to radio listeners. Wish all adverts on radio could be that clear.
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MultiChoice displayed a US$10,000 copper FAZ Premier League Winner’s trophy on the Copperbelt last weekend. Listeners learnt from the main sports updates across radio stations.
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Showing live on DStv Supersport today are football matches involving Green Buffaloes vs Green Eagles at 12:45 hours. Napsa Stars vs Zesco United at 14:55 hours.
SEPP BLATTER
Disgraced FIFA president Sepp Blatter appreciates the power of radio. He hinted that he would  like to venture into presenting some programmes once he retires next February.
The FIFA president said that when he quit in February he wished to become a radio journalist, having kept his union membership throughout his FIFA career.
“I think radio is the most popular item of information,” he said. “It is 24 hours and everyone can listen.” He said that his shows would potentially feature his two hobbies of ‘geography and politics’.
“If somebody accepts me,” he said. “But there are so many radio stations in the world. I am sure that someone will be happy to listen to me.”

Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com   0955115777