. Malama

JUST a few weeks ago, Queen Chungu  Malama stood before ZNBC cameras waiting for a cue to deliver a news package with a signature voice familiar to millions of Zambian viewers.
The lure in her slow small voice created an incredible following among viewers more so that it was unique in its own way, created a talking point among the mass national audience.
From the Head of State to the common Zambian who owned a television set, Queen was known, not for the senior position she held at ZNBC, but precisely for her distinctive reporting style. Who didn’t know Queen anyway?
That is the reason why on Friday July 31, 2015, when a dark cloud besieged the nation with news that Queen had breathed her last at Progress Medical Centre in Kitwe, many viewers could hardly deem it true.
To imagine that the distinctive reporter’s voice has permanently been swallowed by the ugly face of death and only remains in the history section of ZNBC makes it even harder for many to comprehend.
On behalf of the Sunday Times, that gives this platform a voice to offer censor to our local and international television broadcasting, our deepest of condolences.
Many who knew this meek lady would agree that the best description befitting her would be: “A hard working employee.”
Shed aside the flaws and see the flipside of Queen then realise how she would heavily contribute to the national broadcaster for the years she served. It is a life worth celebrating!
Farewell Queen and may the good Lord reward you for the great contribution you made to the media fraternity. You will surely be missed.
Now, the issue of load-shedding has continued to reduce primetime viewing though it is the obligation of this platform to make something out of the few minutes viewing.
On Tuesday during the 19:00 hours main news, it was shocking to see the poor quality picture that accompanied the main story of President Edgar Lungu launching the Dangote cement plant.
Honestly, one wonders what cameras ZNBC used to come up with such a bad picture was looking ashy and almost black and white. It was of very poor picture quality.
This platform has relentlessly cautioned the national broadcaster against surrounding the Head of State with a mediocre kind of production. He is the President for heavens’ sake!
If they knew they would give viewers such picture quality, the best was to render an apology for such poor picture quality.
As though that was not enough, the sound from State House as the President addressed the newly-sworn-in persons was again very poor.
Away from the local front, South African Idols is getting more interesting with the auditions now in Johannesburg.
The musical reality show on DStv Channel  199 is becoming more appealing with standards ever improving.
Some Zambians who have followed the show religiously have again asked this platform why such a programme can not be turned into a continental showpiece.
Ruth Tembo of Lusaka has a suggestion for the DStv. She writes: “Hi Sam, how are you? I would like to express my disappointment with DStv for not bringing Big Brother Africa this year.
However, we are at least kept busy with the South African Idols although it is for South Africa by South Africans.
If Big Brother has proved a challenge for DStv to produce, why then can’t they make Idols continental?
I remember two very interesting continental musical reality shows that once aired on DStv. One was called Project Fame that was won by Zambia’s Lindiwe Alamu.
The other musical show was Idols Southern Africa which saw Zambia’s Trinah Chisanga get the third position.
These musical reality shows are even much better than Big Brother Africa as they can be viewed by the whole family without much restriction. Please MultiChoice consider our suggestion and plea.”
Thank you so much Ruth for your contribution. You have a very valid point. It is the hope of this platform that the MultiChoice public relations manager Mwiika Malindima will this time around give you an answer.
Last week some questions were raised on the same topic after Mwiika announced that there would not be Big Brother Africa this year. The subsequent questions from the Big Brother fans published last week have not been responded to by Mwiika. One may just hope that it is not his style.
Anyway, let me end here today.
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