THE introduction of a programme in ici-Lamba language on Ndola’s Radio Chimwemwe is timely and optune.
Lamba, a dialect spoken by the Lamba-speaking people of the Copperbelt Province is an exhilarating language if ‘handled’ well by those who can speak it fluently.
With Government’s encouragement for schools to introduce teaching low grade pupils in vernacular languages that are widely spoken in respective provinces, airing it on radio is another way of popularising Lamba.
The concern, however, about this particular programme on Radio Chimwemwe is that most of the people that have phoned to the radio ‘break the language’ in pronunciations and intonations, thereby, sounding discord.
Other than making it simply a phone-in programme where listeners call in to share their concerns, the presenter could improve it by maybe featuring people who would explain Lamba origins, cultures and traditions.
We appreciate Moses Mulaisho and Simon Powanga, the two presenters who have been trying to popularise the language on radio.
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Like last week when a programme was abruptly disrupted, one ardent follower of Radio Chimwemwe’s morning devotions complained of how last Wednesday devotion was disrupted before a crossing prayer could be offered.
His complaint was that he takes those devotions as his early morning wake ups that prepare him for the day, only to be ‘snubbed’ as he religiously waited for a crossing prayer.
Maybe, the best way to disturb a running programme is simply by apologising to the listeners with words like; “We apologise to disturb this recording as it is running into another allocated programme.”
Otherwise the ideal situation is for a producer to ensure that recorded programmes start and end on time to avoid overlapping in other programmes.
ZNBC RADIO ONE
For Lembela Mupeta to have repeated an old recording of Ubulimi programme on ZNBC’s Radio One last Sunday, it means there have not been fresh recordings.
Those who follow that programme would not be amused to be treated to something they have heard before, unless the repeat was on popular demand.
PHOENIX
Karen Nakawala was back on Radio Phoenix’s Sunday Mellow Madness after two-weeks of absence, boy or boy! She was at it again dropping mind-blowing sentimental sounds.
She ‘rained’ songs from Clarence Carter, Errol Brown, Percy Sledge and BB King one after the other. On popular demand was Clarence Carter’s “Don’t bother me, am busy.”
Only the intermittent break in transmission disturbed the flow of love serenades on that Sunday.
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Enter Sam Sakala (Man of all seasons) at 14:00 hours to play a tribute to BB King in succession before he tuned to Jimmy Cliff classics.
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Life Style, one of the programmes on Radio Phoenix up dates listeners on latest trends in town, they range from cars, fashion, social life and foods.
Life Style comes in as a source of catalog especially for those who may be out of touch with day-to-day fashions.
RCV
Entertainment News on Radio Christian Voice is presented by one Nick, it is an early Tuesday morning update of what is new on Christian Entertainment front.
News about gospel artistes; who is producing what? Who has converted from secular to gospel, books and Christian related updates?
We leant through the same programme that Zambian local gospel artiste Able Chungu has been nominated for an international slug off with among others South Africa’s Loyiso Bala. We wish brother Able good luck.
ICENGELO
Radio Icengelo turned 19 on May 11, 2015, the station having being established on May 11, 1995.
To that effect, a song was composed and sang by members of staff featuring station manager Father Nicholas Mubanga.
The lyrics denoting that the station has grown over years are accompanied by exciting voices, of interesting is one who tries to scream.
Happy birthday Radio Icengelo, keep shinning!
REGGAE
Reggae has found massive air play on most radio stations, and each time it is played attracts massive listenership.
Jack (The Hot stepper’ Mwale), comes on ZNBC’s Radio 4, Allan Mwale, (Big Al) does it in style now with on Sun FM, Valentine Mukuka on Radio Icengelo.
For the umpteenth time we can say Allan Mwale has a great voice that blends exceptionally well for any radio presentation, we wonder why he doesn’t read news.
Someone let me know about other radio stations.
CHONGWE COMMUNITY RADIO
Is anyone picking Chongwe Community Radio station on 104 FM in Chongwe and surrounding area about 105 kilometkm, let us know.
TIPS
Narration and dialogue both have their places in radio story-telling.
Dramatic scenes involving dialogue can be used to good effect in some documentary and educational broadcasts; they can lighten the load on the narrator and help to hold interest in what may otherwise be dull passages.
Similarly, the narration can be used in drama to bridge scenes and to indicate the passage of time, although most radio dramatists try to avoid narration if it is possible to do so.
Narration should never be used in drama as a substitute for action.
A radio script must contain everything that happens, the words which the listener hears and the control instructions for the technical operator and the actors.
The process of writing in the control instructions is in the province of the producer and it is sometimes called mechanising.
Some radio dramatists will do this work for the producer but where the dramatist does not, then the producer must do them himself.
Mechanising a script requires considerable thought and great attention to details. The guiding principle is that it is not in the script, it is not in the broadcast.
The script as it goes to the studio must contain all that is to happen and indicate who is to do what and when.
Stay tuned, don’t touch that dial! – jackmwewa@gmail.com   0955115777