BY NHAU MANGIRAZI
Celebrating World Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Day on 27 February is one that must not be missed by any progressive citizen. As Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative, we have gained our popularity as a community-based information hub centred on social economic development where our stories have been shared by both local and international news organisations, amplifying the voice of the voiceless in community development.
The community radio was formed in January 2020 covering one of the largest districts in the country within Mashonaland West province. Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative was launched at its thrust anchored at preserving and safeguarding Shona tradition, cultural values and using radio as a driving medium. It has seen all the traditional leaders embracing the home grown project aimed at celebrating and defending the cultural values of Kore Kore people among other norms.
Just few months later, it became a member of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) family and sharing its teething stages working well with traditional leaders among other stakeholders. It has worked well with NANGO, the umbrella body of NGOs, in their diversity, operating in Zimbabwe.
As we join others in celebrating this year World NGO Day on 27 February under the theme, “Significance, History and celebrations” Hurungwe Community Radio is glad to be part of the community that recognise World NGO Day.
The Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative board chairperson Joel Zilala said the road has not been easy but they are working hard to empower the communities.
‘‘Radio is a living medium and Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative has been bridging the information gap for all communities. We are glad that soon after our launch when the Covid-19 pandemic stuck, our community radio was the reliable source of information of the pandemic. We had regular talk shows with civic organisations, government officials among others. It was a prime source of credible news from grassroots level we have community based citizen journalists. As a community radio, we fought misinformation due the social media and it worked well,’’ said Zilala.
Stories are shared on social media platforms that include WhatsApp groups, Facebook, a blog among others. The stories are on forms including texts, videos, audios and it has helped communities to be well informed.
Of late, the community radio has worked well with NANGO on its programming around the district where social and development projects were discussed. It became a vehicle of social change and development agenda through engagements at community level.
‘‘It is an international day intended to honour, acknowledge, and celebrate non-profit and Non-Governmental Organisations. The day also celebrate the individuals who founded these groups and made significant contributions to society worldwide.
Hurungwe Community Radio has worked well with NANGO in implementing its various engagement forums with various stakeholders keeping them informed on National Strategy Development number 1 among others on equal access to health, education, clean water, food security road network among other social services in both rural and urban communities.
Background
World NGO Day was declared by the United Nations on February 27, 2014, as NGO Day, which has since been enthusiastically observed. Non-Governmental Organisation is any non-profit group that operates without the influence of the government.
The phrase was first used in 1945 in Article 71 of the newly created United Nations’ Charter.
‘‘NGOs, also referred to as non-profit organisations (NPOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), charitable organisations, membership organisations, charities, or third sector, are significant players in the fields of development, human rights, humanitarian aid, gender equality, the environment, and numerous other areas of public action,’’ reads the statement marking the World NGO day.
It furthers adds that the goal of World NGO Day is to raise awareness of all such organisations worldwide, to recognize those who work in this field, and to inspire others to support this worthwhile cause.
‘‘On this day each year, supporters and volunteers show their appreciation to those who work for Non-Governmental Organisations. On this day, numerous firms receive honours and significant prizes to push them on to greater productivity,’’ says the statement.
NB: The author Nhau Mangirazi is the Hurungwe Community Radio Initiative Station Manager. Mangirazi is an award winning multimedia and investigative journalist and writes for several local and international news organizations.
