16 Feb 2025

Radio has played a significant role in educating and communicating with the public for over a century, rendering radio broadcasting to be one of the most significant inventions in the history of human communications technologies.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Radio Day in Tshesebe on Thursday, Minister of Communications and Innovation Mr David Tshere said radio came in as a ground breaking technology for mass communication and it continued to evolve, adapt and thrive in the digital age.

He stated that in recognition of this fact, the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed the World Radio Day in 2011 to mark the anniversary of the establishment of United Nations Radio on February 13, 1946

“Since 2012, every year on February 13, the world pauses to commemorate the significance of this platform,” the minister said adding that on this day, the world recognised the power of the radio in inspiring global change.

This year’s theme; Radio and Climate Change, the minister said, recognised the adaptability and continued relevance of radio broadcasting in addressing human challenges.

He said the theme, underscored radio’s ability to disseminate critical information about climate change, promote green practices, and amplify voices advocating for environmental sustainability.

However, Mr Tshere said Botswana owed its nationhood and its continuing democracy to radio broadcasting, paying tribute to Radio Botswana’s role in nation building, which dated back to the station’s establishment in Gaborone in 1965.

He highlighted that it was difficult to imagine how the newly constituted post-independence government would have managed to rally individual ethnic communities into one nation without the help of radio.

Radio Botswana, he said, drove nation building by collecting musical compositions across the country and broadcasting them and in the process, creating listenership that transcended ethic groups and rallied Batswana to improve their farming methods for crops production and animal husbandry
Radio was also involved in early initiatives aimed at organising women to join hands so that their contribution to the nation was impactful, and such programming drove the self-reliance campaign which instilled the spirit of selflessness or sacrifice of individual for national gain.

“Even in the era of modern communication technologies, radio broadcasting continues to have an important role to play in society and this was the reason why Radio Botswana gave birth to RB2 and later on commercial broadcasting emerged in the mid-90s to add diversity to radio offering,” he said.

Kgosi Motlotlegi Khachana III of Tshesebe said it was important to set aside funds to commemorate Radio Day as played a significant role in the lives of communities.

“We have to show appreciation and recognise private radio stations such as GabzFM, Yarona FM, Duma FM, UB Radio and Cross FM’s contribution in improving people’s lives.

Kgosi Khachana said radio relayed messages on government’s programmes that positively impacted lives and was accessed by many compared to television.

He however, said Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) should regulate what was being broadcast by radio stations and encouraged radio stations to consider broadcasting in other languages spoken in Botswana.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commissioner general, Mr Itseng Kwelagobe said the event was to recognise the role played by radio in informing the nation on issues of climate change.

“Everyone has the right to receive information and updates on climatic change and environment," he said adding that such was achievable through media freedom and the protection of journalists. ENDS