The government has just passed the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill, which now means that if you want to renew your motor vehicle licence or get motor insurance, youβll have to show proof that youβve paid for a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence.
Sounds good in theory, right? Supporting our national broadcaster and all. But thereβs a massive elephant in the room, so big you might need a bigger car just to dodge it. And that elephant is shouting: What about the people who donβt even listen to the radio?
Letβs Talk Cars (and Radios)
First things first, Zimbabwe is Ex-Jap Nation. Most cars you see on the road are second-hand imports from Japan and trust meβIβll die on this hill. Theyβre affordable, reliable, but thereβs one catch: the radios in these cars are not great. These things only go up to 90.0 MHz, meaning the average driver isnβt even able to pick up a ZBC station unless they start tampering with their carβs head unit. The only station that most of these folks can catch is StarFM at 89.7 MHz in Harare β which, surprise, isnβt even a ZBC channel. (Sidebar: we need to talk about how this has made StarFM an actual monopoly on another day).
Now, Iβm not saying the new law has blind spots, but it does feel like someone forgot not all radios are made the same. So, whatβs the deal here? Are people with these low-frequency radios expected to pay for ZBC access they canβt even get? Or maybe they should get an βFM passβ as compensation for their troubles? Right now, it seems the answer is, βSorry, but you still gotta pay.β
Streaming Into The Future
Letβs talk about the other elephant in the roomβpeople like me who never tune into terrestrial radio anymore. Iβm glued to Spotify, where DJ X seems to read my mind and serve up exactly the music I want to hear (sorry, local DJs, but Iβm not into endless chatter). I honestly canβt even remember the last time I listened to regular FM radio. And when I do, itβs usually just a bunch of noise and very little music and I am being very generous.
The world has moved on from traditional radio. Weβve got Netflix, YouTube and TikTokβterrestrial analogue radio is kind of like trying to get your news from smoke signals. Why should I be forced to pay for a service I donβt use? Itβs like being charged for a subscription I never asked for which we already do and its called 3rd party insurance. Thanks, but no thanks.
And I know Iβm not alone. More and more people are switching to streaming platforms, podcasts, or simply enjoying the sweet silence of their drives. Forcing people to pay for a ZBC licence when they donβt even listen to the radio is like charging for horse feed when you drive a car.
Weβre A Little Behind, Arenβt We?
Hereβs the kicker: Zimbabwe, bless our hearts, is still a bit behind the times. The world has already moved on from good old FM and AM broadcasts. Some of the latest car models donβt even come with FM radios anymoreβtheyβre designed for digital radio or internet streaming. Meanwhile, weβre still trying to make sure we can even catch a signal. And letβs not forget how impossible it is to stream internet radio on Zimbabweβs mobile networks. Youβll run out of data before the first song ends.
Now, Iβm not an audiophile. Iβve got a $15 head unit I bought from High Glen and honestly, if I had gone to the Chinese shops, I probably couldβve gotten it for half the price. But hereβs the thing: the one feature I actually use on that radio is Bluetooth. Between Spotify and YouTube Music, Iβm set. Sure, my head unit has an FM receiver, but ZBC doesnβt care about my use case Iβll just be paying for something Iβll never use.
But hereβs where it gets interestingβhop on Amazon and search for Bluetooth Car Amplifier. My heart, soul and Ecocash VCN are already set on the AUDIOZERONE Marine Amplifier Bluetooth (yes, hereβs the link: AUDIOZERONEβs Marine Amplifier Bluetooth). It does one thing and one thing only: receive Bluetooth. That means I can pair my phone, or better yet, get myself a cheap chimbudzi iPhone like an X (time to let go bruv) and turn it into my own mini smart iPod.
With this setup, Iβm happily driving to my Spotify playlists without ever tuning into terrestrial radio. And that brings us back to the question: Why should I have to pay for a ZBC licence if the only waves Iβm tuning into are digital?
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill seems like itβs trying to squeeze a little extra cash out of every motorist, whether they listen to ZBC or not. But the truth is, for many of us, ZBC is just background noiseβif we can even tune in at all. So, why not rethink this whole radio licence thing? Maybe the national broadcaster could focus on improving its digital game, instead of making people pay for a service they donβt use and canβt access.
But hey, who am I to judge? Iβm just a guy with a car, a taste for niche tunes and no desire to pay for a service Iβve long since outgrown. Over to you, ZBCβare you going to tune in to modern times, or will motorists be stuck paying for a service thatβs gone off the dial?
Kungopa vanhu mari they don’t deserve. ZBC marara
“From bad to mattress ” said souljah love
ZBC i dailup internet still stuck in the past
It’s just another tax we can’t escape. I listen to audiobooks or Spotify. I do long drives and most places I can’t find any Zim radio despite the fact that my old Mazda twincab has an 89.7 to 107.9 FM radio receiver
They could have just said every car pays $1 per month, $4 for 4 months, $6 for 6months and $12 for 12 months thats alot of money looking at the numbers or cars on the road.The amount would be included in the Zinara vehicle license.
This makes more sense. Make the amount so insignificant no one even bothers to argue but then again we have finance minister who is under the impression everyone gets $20 haircuts thrice a month π€¦πΏββοΈ
Or stays in a hotel not for business but for fun.
I don’t own a TV and the radio in my car is not working…since I got it.lets be serious this is just another cash grab.
if they close zbc altogether I couldn’t care less why should I be subjected to gvt propaganda
What does the bill actually say??? Ndo chii ichi..
This is ridiculous, it’s like saying everyone who owns a house should have buy a TV licence by force.
please don’t give them ideas
ZBC is just a middleman on this the act clearly states that any device that is capable of receiving radio frequency it must have a lisense even smartphones this act needs to be amended smartphones were not yet they when this law was made.
Because ZBC had the network of branches, the government decided to use them, today we now see it as ZBC money but it’s for all broadcasters in Zimbabwe. It’s doesn’t matter you play a USB or CD it’s the device you are paying for.
For me it’s about the price $4 per term is justified.
The Harare mayor once said there are over 800 000 cars in Hre multiple that by 30 it’s $24M for the broadcasters plus their ads it’s no fair
Hahahahaha
Where do I even start with you.
This maybe a reckless comment on the actual fulcrum of your article, donβt take it too seriously, for now, & this is it: You pay the ZBC radio license, not necessarily because you use it. This is a duty that you as a motoring Zimbabwean pay as you drive in this Great Nation.
I donβt want to have this discussion with you here, I know where to find you, but what did you just say about the iPhone X?? πΉπΉ
Let it rest bafo π
I removed my radio and I don’t have a TV…what am I paying for exactly.if you2 ant to tax me then raise zinara or till fees.dont steal from me for service a couldn’t care less about
Say you own two receivers (home and car), surely there’s no ways you could be listening to both at the same time(if you ever listen to them at all). Why do you need two licenses. And by the way the ‘old-age’ exemption doesn’t apply to car radios. My countryπ€·
Their law states that if your car has no radio, you dont pay for radio…best remove the radio
Like any law which is passed, we will live within its confines.
That being said taxes must be fair and proportional.
Rich countries are rich because they have industry that pays tax, and this should be a major source of government revenue, therefore it is within governments best interest to oil the wheel of industry by crafting predictable and good policies. Imagine the amount of tax revenue remitted by Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Skunkworks, LG, Samsung, Toyota, Fuji, Sony, Alibaba….
1. In Zim, this is another source of money established to fatten the pockets and bellies of those who hold power.
2. Why should this money be ZBC money only when there are other stations which do not belong ZBC. Some people do not listen to ZBC stations at all.
3. Why is the money so high. Those that we have put in offices to make polices for our country do no care about the people.
Inini hangu inini, my mvision for a local radio station is called Chune FM. π£
Local and international Dancehall and Reggae 24/7.
Some segments will play an entire riddim from the version to the outro.
We deh yah general
ZBC is govt radio. Basic fact. Now, govt is us. Ndisu isusu. We vote for the govt and we own govt. Never mind the political arguments.
Now if govt says ZBC must exist for whatever reason, they are saying it on our behalf. So ZBC is collecting cash from us, for ourselves since we are the owners of ZBC. Munoona, ma Zimbabwe izvi zvinhu ndezvedu izvi. Hakuna munhu anozi Govt, ZBC, ZESA, Potraz, ZRP etc. NDISU IYESU.
Problem iripo ndeyekuti vanotora mari yedu voishandisa zvisiri izvo. Road inofanirwa kugadzirwa ne200m inogadzirwa ne1,2 billion.
When were citizens, or any other stakeholder, consulted on this? We are not government. The stupidity of that claim is that when government/parastatal funds are misappropriated, that’s when you’ll truly see that you weren’t part of government in any way. Meanwhile to you, TISU TIRI KUBA.
πWell, the OBV’s need live uplink and Starlinks from telone aren’t going to pay for themselves!
Actually, if you were one of those guys who were bringing in starlink kits for a killing, radio free head units might be the new hustle!
Trust me, we looked. That’s how we bumped into Bluetooth Amplifiers
Clueless money grab for terrible media
The broadcasting act says possession of a receiver. We first need to define what a receiver is, does it include Bluetooth, IR etc.
Comrades, listen. We all know our brother was recently anointed acting CEO , a fitting reward for his steadfast patriotism. I am sure you agree. The only problem, is this company has no loot to plunder. An unfortunate oversight on our part, apologies. Anyway, we need to support our brother by filling the company’s coffers. So that normal plund….er…operations can resume.π
A totally legitimate reason, if ever I have heard one.
#OnlyInZim
BAZ should take over TV and Radio licensing. This issue of ZBC collecting on behalf of BAZ is confusing and painful given the state of affairs at ZBC
Im removing the radio i can’t pay for that crap
Is this article based on actual facts and a law that has been passed or another article you linked to @Lennon? If it’s the latter, this is poor journalism.
A story can be told in many ways, we focused on the human elements only. You make a fair point and we will improve https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/09/18/vehicle-owners-to-face-compulsory-zbc-licence-payments/
Check this: https://zimfact.org/fact-check-are-zbc-radio-licences-already-mandatory-for-motorists/
I dont think the car i drive has a radio button like i dont know where it is but . The point is simple why pay for something i DON’T EVEN USE wtf.
Just in case you are thinking of removing your radio, a future amendment could make a working radio receiver mandatory in every car. A reason for such a requirement can easily be formulated. Whether you will agree with it or not will be totally irrelevant π
Well it could be mandated as a safetly feature. We have never had to use the emergency broadcast system as far as i know.
The same way the U.S will start mandating all it’s auto makers to include A.M radios in their cars for emergency broadcasts…
Bhadharai ma license enyu makanyarara imi, mukuda kuti abhadharwe nani, that is your duty to your nation, even usangaone zbc its no one’s choice handiti unemari yeku bhadhara tuma streaming services, manje state ikuda mari yayo & it does care kuti ex jap yako haidarike 90 megahertz, tenga radio inoita munyika mako
Ngatitaurirane chokwadi, vanhu varikunetsekana ne nyaya iyi nekuti ZBC licence yacho inodhura zvisinganzwisisiki kwete kuti havadi kubhadhara simple.
Mutero wegore we motokari one is around 60-80 dollars zvichenderana ne motokari. Saka mutero we radio wemotokari unozoita 120 dollars zvichikwira sei!?
Ipapo ndopanofanirwa kutariswa.
Hazviiti kuti mutero we radio kuti udarike mutero we mota,
They impoverish us and complain when we cannot pay. We want to pay it and we will.
they cans witch off zbc totally….I dot need it and I don’t watch streaming services…we work…just shut up…I don’t need to pay for propaganda
…so – where/who do I ‘prove’ that I had my radio taken out about seven years ago?? It already SUCKS that I have to take time off work to go and get a car licence – i suppose now it will take even longer to prove I have no car radio π
Don;t even talk to me about the fact that because of a nasty constellation of currencies I have to PHYSICALLY go across town to pay my internet bill!!!!
If this means that no more ZBC Traffic stops in and around the city then bho, but can the cost please be sensible!? The ZBC radio license can’t cost more than the vehicle licence, FULLSTOP.
The hilarious part is when you say chimbudzi Iphone X when im still glued to my iphone 6.On radio signals you cant tune in to then forced to pay a licence its like everyone being forced to buy a grave coz they will die then umwe anodyiwa neShumba and is never buried kkkkkk
π π kkkk bho here Madzibaba
On TV do you think they show the Leopard or they are only allowed to show Lions. π
Very controlling, allow journalists to showcase their skills. πΏπΌπ¬π§
ZBC licenses are the gvt stealing from the poor citizen. Nowonder the gvt is very unpopular. Right now they are planning on taxing every chair in every saloon and barber outthere. Outrageous right. But thats what they do. These IMTT, Sugar Tax damn its a lot of burden