By Derrick Silimina

A horde of Kalumbila residents have turned-out in numbers to witness the launch of the mining town’s first-ever Community Radio station nestled in the heart of the Central Business District.

As residents flocked to take a glimpse at the long awaited building that houses 96.9 FM near Kalumbila town center, the facility is said to be more than just a physical structure as it embodies a hub of hope and enthusiasm for the community.

Speaking when he graced the colorful hand-over ceremony, Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa described the event as a historic milestone, marking the emergence of a new, influential voice for the people of Kalumbila district.

“We are grateful to First Quantum Minerals for making this facility possible. This support for the community is a clear and important demonstration that when businesses and communities work together, development is not only assured but accelerated,” Mweetwa said.

He reiterated that information is crucial, hence the need for the government’s quest to promote agriculture to grow side by side with mining, because it is renewable and sustainable in a bid to enhance food security in the nation .

The Information Minister noted that the station is expected to educate and inform the community about the various empowerment and assistance programs done by FQM under the corporate social responsibility, so that the community can appreciate the partnership and the support that is coming from this relationship between the community and the mining firm.

Speaking at the same event, First Quantum Minerals Limited Country Manager Godwin Beene said the establishment of the Kalumbila Community Radio by Trident Foundation Limited exemplifies FQM’s core ethos of developing initiatives that are both people-centered and community-led.

“We believe progress happens when people are heard, informed, and empowered and when we work together with traditional and local leaders, government, and communities to deliver the projects that are most needed,” Dr. Beene stated.

Dr Beene highlighted that the radio station is not the property of FQM, nor of any corporate interest but belongs to the people of Kalumbila adding that it’s a community asset – established, equipped, and now entrusted to serve as a platform for dialogue, education, and community development.

He noted that from the beginning of the project, the mining giant’s vision has been to create a neutral, independent, and community-led medium that reflects the realities of Kalumbila’s people including their hopes, their challenges, and their contributions to Zambia’s development story.

“This initiative is one of many ways in which FQM, through Trident Foundation Limited, continues to contribute to the long-term development of Kalumbila and Zambia at large. Our investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental management, and enterprise development are driven by one central belief – that mining should be a force for sustainable progress.”

In a meantime, Kalumbila Community Radio station Board Chairperson Gideon Matemba stated that the community has long needed a platform to share information, tell stories, and maintain connections. He emphasized that the radio station will serve as a bridge to close communication gaps and foster unity and growth among residents.

“As a community radio board, we see this station as more than a source of music or news. It is a tool for unity, for culture and for development. We will use it to celebrate who we are through our languages, our traditions and our way of life,” Matembo said.

He highlighted that the community will use the radio station to address and discuss critical topics such as agriculture, health, education, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment, among other issues Matembo pledged that the community radio station will remain independent, fair and responsible in all its programming.

“We will uphold the highest standards of Journalism and media ethics, ensuring that every story we tell and every discussion we host is guided by truth, respect and neutrality.”