Star FM’s July theme a success

Entertainment Reporter

STAR FM’s July theme: ‘ZimNtulikazi’ was the station’s most successful to date. Star FM’s programming manager, Napoleon Nyanhi, said the feedback coming from listeners as a result of the decision by the station to push brand Zimbabwe throughout the month of July was overwhelming.He said musicians visited Star FM on their own accord throughout the month of July to express their gratitude for the initiative which saw music from Zimbabwe being played on the country’s leading radio station, while Zimbabweans who have made a mark in different fields across the world were celebrated.

“This helped the station to gain ground and solidify our position as the urban radio station that is championing progressive things. We ventured deep into Zimbabwean culture on Wednesday nights. We also featured restaurants that specialise in traditional dishes on the Breeze.

“The 326Xpress had a Zim Knowledge quiz and the theme culminated in the “Best of ZimNtulikazi’s Top 10 countdown which was hosted by DJ Mox on Friday, July 29.  This was a chart of the best Zimbabwean songs in July and on Number One was Gary Tight featuring William Tight with a song, Tight Tune,” Nyanhi said.

He added that a significant percentage of Zimbabweans who did not know that July was called Ntulikazi in Ndebele now know the word, thanks to the Star FM theme.

Zimpapers’ public relations and corporate affairs manager, Ms Beatrice Tonhodzayi weighed in, saying the decision by the station to honour all things Zimbabwean in the month of July had certainly allowed the country to shine. She applauded the station for always coming up with ‘firsts’ that shake up the radio listening experience.

“It is exciting to see Star FM coming up with these innovative ideas and themes, which always bring excitement to the radio listening experience. “ she said.

A lot of people were sceptical at first. I saw posts on social media where listeners questioned where Star FM would get enough music from Zimbabwe only to last the whole month, but the station did it well and what a listening pleasure it was to hear some songs which were last played ages ago being played. It put our local music on the world map.

“What we are most excited about as a corporate is that in running with this theme, the station placed Zimbabwean music, achievements, personalities and businesses on the map. This is in line with Government’s policy to push local products and services and we are glad that our radio station; through the ZimNtulikazi theme played a part in pushing brand Zimbabwe,” she said.

In August, Star FM’s theme digs from the seeds of greatness planted by the liberation war heroes to expose present day legends. The theme of the month of August has been dubbed #Legendary.