By Farai Diza
Deep down across the sun drenched Kalahari desert in Botswana, a group of youths gather around a solar powered radio system. From a distance one would be mistaken for thinking that they are listening to football commentary as they argue among themselves.
But they are actually listening to a radio talk show centred around the HIV pandemic. Such talk shows have become very popular among many African states as the continent continues with its hectic fight against a disease that has reaped throughout the continent like a hot knife over butter.
Almost every household in Africa has either been directly or indirectly affected by HIV. It is estimated that 80 percent of child headed families across Africa are as a result of the deadly disease.
Now radio stations are grabbing the bull by its horns and tackling issues pertaining to HIV in talk shows that are mainly targeted at the youth.
What makes these highly educational talk shows reach an even wider audience is the fact that radios are easily accessible as compared to other media mechanisms. And the feedback is instant. That makes radio talk shows reach a larger percentage as compared to TV talk shows.
A Zimbabwean radio show host for a community radio station based in Bulawayo, Muchaneta Tambwera AKA DJ Mucha in social circles, believes that using radio as a medium to addressing the HIV pandemic has come a long way and it has positively contributed towards changing mind frames.
"We are living in a modern world but the radio is still the most easily accessible communication platform. So many people listen to news, sports, music etc on the radio everyday. It is the only platform that they have to access so much information. It is a good mine I tell you. That said, many radio stations are playing an important role in shaping the lives of youths through talk shows. Talk shows are very popular because they engage listeners.
"So radio producers saw it as a great opportunity to tackle HIV related matters while also engaging the audience. These talk shows have become very popular and it is evidenced through the responses they get on social media," he said.
While also paying close attention on not creating stigmatisation, radio producers have that mandate of coming up with balanced topical issues that trigger a balanced debate.
In an email interview, Namibian based radio producer who declined not to be named due to the nature of his profession said that programming needed to be balanced because boring their targeted audience would be catastrophic.
"You will find out that many youths time into the radio to listen to music. Once a talk show comes on air, then change channels. So that then becomes a challenge to try getting them to listen to HIV themed talk shows. So as a result we bring in celebrity guests and we also include music and generally create that lovely atmosphere in the studio. It works just perfectly," he said.
The producer added that topics discussed ranged from prevention, treatment, dealing with stigmatisation, providing support in terms of implementing a healthy diet and other such topics that listeners would find very useful.
"So much has been said about preventing but are the youths preventing themselves? We can not run away from the fact that eradicating HIV all starts through preventive methods. So we engage the youths in all the topics we engage in. That way we get to analyse with experts and come up with methods and solutions to specific problems. That is because radio feedback is instant," he added.
Many international development agencies, Non Governmental Organizations and Aids relief support groups play a leading role in ensuring that these talk shows meet their intended goals.
As the youths from the Kalahari continue debating among themselves, HIV themed radio talk shows are making a very huge difference in the lives of several Africans.
