17 Aug 2026

Gammangwato FM, owned by the Ngwato Development Trust, will start broadcasting online this month once all preparations are complete.

 Speaking during a stakeholder engagement session on Wednesday, Media Committee Chairperson Mr Mosupi Garebatho said the station planned to broadcast online at first, and would eventually transition to Frequency Modulation (FM) as its financial situation improved. 

He explained that purchasing transmitters was an expensive exercise, noting that each unit costs over P350,000 and only covers a 50 km radius. 

Due to budgetary constraints, Gammangwato Development Committees, through its media committee, has thus opted for online radio as a starting point. Furthermore, Mr Garebatho stressed that buying transmitters in bulk was currently unaffordable. 

Instead, the station will gradually expand its radio coverage until it reaches 100 percent of the Gammangwato region by purchasing more transmitters as funds permit. 

He added that filling the frequency gaps would be a continuous process over the coming years. 

Mr Garebatho outlined that the radio project would be implemented in phases; Phase one would focus on preparations and was scheduled for completion this month. 

Phase two would comprise pilot programming to identify operational gaps and implement remedial measures, which is slated to kick-start on September 12. 

He added that the primary purpose of the pilot project was to test feasibility, evaluate risks, and gather real-world data before committing major resources to a full-scale rollout. 

This phase will give the station an opportunity to identify and fix flaws and bottlenecks. Phase three will mark the official launch of the online radio station on September 23. 

Hinting at the planned programming, Mr Garebatho said the station would feature news, community updates, culture, heritage, education, development, youth programming, and entertainment. 

The station will also host dedicated shows such as Farmers’ Hour, Youth Innovation Hub, Health Talk, and Heritage Voices. 

He informed stakeholders that the station’s financial model would rely on sponsorships, local advertising, grants, training workshops, events, and crowdf unding. 

Given that the Gammangwato region comprise various ethnic groups who speak different languages, Mr Garebatho emphasised that the station would broadcast in all local languages. Also he stated that the station would treat all languages equally, upholding it as a fundamental principle of human rights and social harmony. 

For his part, the Chairperson of the Ngwato Development Trust, Mr Godiretse Khumiso, said the station would accord residents, especially the youth, valuable employment opportunities. He described the radio station as a tool for disseminating information that could transform the economic landscape of the Gammangwato region. 

Mr Khumiso noted that the station gave residents a sense of pride and ownership, offering an opportunity to celebrate their identity and culture, which played a pivotal role in shaping the future. Furthermore, he stated that the community radio station would serve as a catalyst for social, economic, and civic empowerment. 

“By amplifying local voices, it enables communities to share knowledge, access critical education, and hold leaders accountable without relying on mainstream media gatekeepers,” Mr Khumiso said. ENDS