National Dialogue...
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Calviniah Kgautlhe
Location : Gaborone
Event : BOT50
Radio Legends Speak on the telex era
With only five months to celebrate the country`s 50th independence, some legends of the airwaves speak. They share their radio experience post-independence in the mist of political unrest that had besieged the southern African region back then and how they envisage the future of radio in Botswana. They speak to Kutlwano`s Calviniah Kgautlhe.
Bishy Mmusi (1969-1997)
Before I joined Radio Botswana during the British Colonial era, it was called Radio Bechuanaland. I took up a holiday job in 1967 and then later joined radio in 1969.
I remember during my time as a Journalist, there was political unrest in the southern African region; liberation struggles were going on all over - in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa. Our news coverage had to reflect what was going on in these countries as that affected Botswana. We received an influx of refugees daily, we also received news of the situation every minute through the telex and we had to process them carefully. We had to be very careful about the wording when news came about the situation in neighboring countries so that we did not use words used by the oppressors. There were lots of refugees in Botswana from neighboring countries, so we had to be careful because some of them were spies and so there was no freedom. It was a very dangerous period for journalists.
I was among the first crop of journalists to cover the first state President, Sir Seretse Khama and it was pleasurable and challenging to cover him because at the time we had no idea of how to go about it. One had to be on time and well prepared and well dressed and after that prepare the programme.
Now, his programme had to be different. One had to broadcast the whole speech. The Director of Broadcasting back then, Potlako Molefhe, drilled it in our heads that a president of Botswana should be covered whether he was sleeping, eating, playing football or anywhere. But when he was in a political party rally we were confused as to whether he had to be covered or not because it was party affair but he advised us that he should be covered even when addressing a rally.
I can vividly recall that in 1972, during Independence Day celebrations, the president announced at the National Stadium that he had decided to cut water subsidy for all civil servants, the city was green and yet other places in the outskirts of the city had no water. He abolished medical aid subsidy and the radio listener`s license which cost R3.00 at the time. You know during the British colonial rule if you owned a radio set you had to pay radio listeners fees per annum. When we became independent we continued to pay listener`s license but we didn`t know where that money was going and so Khama ended it.
After serving government for 28 years, I retired in 1997 then went on to do my master`s degree at Rhodes University. I later joined Botswana Telecommunications Authority (BTA) in 1999 and was there for seven years. So you see I only worked three years reporting under a peaceful political situation in southern Africa. The other years were full of unrest.
Goabamang Justice Gaolekwe (1982-2009 (2015)
I was barely in my teens when my interest for radio started, it was around 1969. At the time, I was an avid listener of BBC particularly interested in a programme called Focus on Africa which was presented by an outstanding presenter called Chris Bickerton.
The manner in which he presented captivated my attention. He was very passionate and made you want to listen. His programme was later renamed Around the World Today, and I must say this was someone who influenced me in a way.
I was a Setswana teacher at Selebi Phikwe Secondary School from 1979 and later joined Radio Botswana in 1982. I took a three-month radio production course taught by a British fellow called Robert Beaumont. It was exciting to be taught by someone who was so passionate about radio. After a three-month course, I went into translation and news reading which is something I still do today. I retired in 2009 and came back in 2015.
Back then, Rebaone Mookodi was a great news reader who influenced me. His presentation always had a sense of humour. He always found a way of delivering unpleasant news in a pleasant manner through sound voice modulation.
Today, there is a wider choice, we have young graduates, good radio technology, and there are private radio stations that can create healthy competition. But the problem is that radio lacks good content. Some presenters do not adhere to journalism code of ethics, they become too personal to the extent of simply bashing interviewees. Some presenters tend to be too excited that they are on radio and they do not read, they don`t do thorough research on issues they present. When a panelist disagrees with them on an issue, they cut them.
For journalism of this country to move progressively, it`s important to retain the old guard as they have a wealth of knowledge and experience. “Letlhaku le le sha le agelwa mo go le legologolo.” To retain both private sector and government journalists, it`s important to revise their pay structure. If good ones are not retained, “go a phutlhama go bo go sala ditshururu hela.”
Billy Mokgosi (1983-1993)
I joined Radio Botswana in January 1983 to translate English into Setswana. Before then, I taught American Peace Corps. I was then trained on Basic Radio Broadcasting and they realised I was suitable as a continuity announcer. I was trained by Philip Moshotle popularly known as “Mokgankgara.”
Later on I went on to produce, Dipina le Maboko where I excelled. I was an exceptional poet and still I am. I became a jack of all trades performing every other role on radio and in 1987 I went to BBC in England where I did trainers course and then later joined the broadcasting training unit. I trained the likes of Charity Kgotlafela (nee Santagane) and many others. I then went on to attain Diploma in Mass Communication in 1991 from Harare Polytecnic School of Mass Communication. I also wrote my first two poetry books while on radio and quit (Radio) in 1993.
And over the years, I notice substantial improvement on radio broadcasting and later television in infrastructure. We see digital migration which will take broadcasting to a whole new level and offer endless choices. However, content still needs to be improved, we also need good translators. Our use of words needs to be improved to ensure that we send the message clearly. Also, cultural programmes need to be improved. I know it`s very rare to find talent for radio but we need to try harder to scout for talent. We need the right choice of presenters for the right programme.
Patrick Masimolole
I Joined Radio Botswana in 1975. I did continuity presenting, programme producing. I covered news, games and at times we did everything. There was no role clarity which was also good because one could seat in for someone wherever, whenever. Work to us was more of a service to the nation than putting bread on the table.
In the past, radio was the sole important source of timely mass communication and therefore we used it to educate people, to inform people and entertain them but today I notice that its more of entertainment than education. Education through radio is declining hence the need to revisit this to ensure we raise a nation that is knowledge based.
And interestingly, in the past, radio presenters were so popular that some parents have named their children after radio presenters they liked. In radio studios, it was an exciting environment; we ensured that we competed to be better. There was healthy competition amongst us which was good for the profession. I grew up listening to Mozambican radio station, Lorenzo Marks (LM) Radio, and Radio Bantu which is now called Motsweding FM where one could learn something from presenters such as Sello Phiri.
For the past 50 years radio has evolved but there is need for us to be innovative with content of our programmes. Let`s not do things the same way and move with the times as we celebrate rich years of peace and stability.
