LET us talk about sports reporters’ mix-up of terminologies as they present diaries, previews and reviews on radio.
We have on several occasions heard some sports presenters, for example, say that; “Roan United will play Kabwe Warriors, and this GAME will take place at Kafubu Stadium.
We have also heard something like; “Esther Phiri will fight South Africa’s Sandra Almeida, this BOUT will be staged at Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
Concern is the usage of words like GAME, in place of MATCH, FIGHT in place of BOUT. We bear in mind that these are different words that MIGHT mean differently depending on the context.
GAME used as a NOUN can be defined as a sport played according to rules. It is also used as an ADJECTIVE to mean that one is eager or willing to do something new or challenging.
We can, therefore, say that FOOTBALL is a GAME, yet an encounter between two teams is a MATCH.
It would be safer for a sports presenter to state that; “A MATCH between Roan United and Kabwe Warriors, than saying a GAME.
In the like manner, “Esther Phiri is involved in the GAME of boxing, her encounter with Sandra Almeida is a FIGHT which is divided in BOUTS of two minutes each.
While it is human to err, repeating an error especially by broadcasters can be embarrassing and misleading since there are many listeners who take what is broadcast on radio seriously.
Seasoned broadcasters like Frank Mutubila who handled sensitive programmes, be it business or political, also found time to present Sports with accurate references.
We heard Frank interview high-profile politicians, business executives and later interview sports personalities and sometimes execute live commentaries with ease.
PHOENIX
Radio Phoenix broadcasts from East Park Mall in Lusaka on weekends, clearly that is an exciting innovation of taking the studios right to the listeners.
Radio Phoenix technician Humphrey Muzumi confirmed that listeners had an opportunity to meet presenters whose voices they only hear on air.
Regular callers should by now know that telephone numbers for the East Park studio differ from those of Chigwirizano Road studios.
It being the pioneer private radio station, listeners expect much from them, they have proved that in the past, only the best is good enough at Radio Phoenix.
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Stock Market News, a brief update of stock market and business news is ably presented by Francine on Radio Phoenix every Mondays.
This update which is sponsored by Stock Brokers Limited comes after 07:00 hours to give latest information in the business world.
Maybe, allocating more time to such presentations would give listeners a variety from the musical, chat and phone programmes that take up time among most radio stations in Zambia.
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Accountants also have a slot on Radio Phoenix around midday every Mondays, their presentation, though promotes the accounting profession, fine, because it is a sponsored programme.
RCV
A business update on Radio Christian Voice (RCV) is called ‘Money Matters’, which is presented by Chella Silwamba on Monday mornings.
Like it is said for Stock Brokers News, a little more time allocated to Money Matters would adequately answer the many questions listeners want to know about the economy.
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Dario Ulendo Chongolo is co-presenter of the morning wake-up show with Choolwe Mweemba on RCV, what a ‘pleasant noisy’ pair they are on morning shows!
Dario has a perfect voice for broadcasting, eloquent in speech.
Actually, morning shows are meant to wake listeners up from slumber, and what is a better way of waking up listeners than playing active music coupled with mind capturing commentaries.
Man! Dario can be hilarious, and Choolwe is wittily equal to the fun, a situation that ‘arrests’ listeners’ attention. In fact, a dual presentation works out well when presenters are free with each other and relaxed.
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Night Light programme, a late night song and meditation broadcast on RCV has a new presenter in the name of Chris, nothing wrong with his presentation, except most listeners got used to Steve Mdoma.
Some voices get so synonymous with certain programmes such that hearing them simply tunes listeners’ minds to their presentation.
Speaking to people like Sunday Sinyangwe on phone one would think it is time for ‘Standing in the Gap’, speak to Lorenzo Lihusha on phone it’s like time for ‘Chat back’, Bibian Lambart Mwale with ‘Sounds of Worship,’ and Zondi Mwale with ‘Prayer Link’.
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The ‘Watch Man’, a midnight prayer point on RCV last Wednesday had Rev Christopher Kabunda who said Sister Joyce Mwanza was not on the programme that particular night.
It is encouraging to note how some clergy are committed to the extent of praying for mother Zambia at such an hour.
CHIMWEMWE
Prince Robert Lwebesha Mushili proved a royalist he is when he featured on Ndola’s Radio Chimwemwe last Sunday night.
In the wake of tribal remarks and promotion of ‘One Zambia One Nation’, the Prince who is Chief Mushili’s son feels that no lamba-speaking person should be given a job on the Copperbelt on account of tribe, but rather on merit.
An eloquent speaker in both English and Ci-lamba, he did not mince words to promote a Zambia or Province for all people regardless of tribe but at the same time encouraged the lamba-speaking people to compete equally in all sectors of life.
ZNBC Radio
Among the many letters sent to this column are those wondering why we have not observed Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) radio stations in a long while.
“Dear Jack, I follow this column with interest every Sundays, I have, however, observed that you have stopped making comments on broadcasters from ZNBC radio stations, could it be that they are doing everything right and only those from private and commercial stations make mistakes?” M Malawo, Lusaka.
The clear answer to that concern is that ZNBC is not heard, at least in some parts of Ndola, a situation that leaves listeners and this column tune in to private radio stations.
We have on several occasions alerted ZNBC about that challenge, not only for Ndola, but also in other areas in Muchinga and Northern provinces.
What is of serious worry is that if ZNBC can be that poor in Ndola, a town in an urban set up, the situation is worse in rural areas.
Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com 0955115777
