Some ardent listeners to the Malawi’s privately owned Capital Radio are reacting with dismay over the conduct of the awards presentation ceremony which the radio’s management organized on Thursday.
The radio’s management has awarded 12 members of staff for what it called excellent commitment and dedication on duty in 2012. This is the first time for the station to give the awards to its employees since its inception.
The station’s Operations manager Arlene Osman Grimes is quoted saying:“The awards are part of a token of appreciation to the employees that have shown excellent commitment, dedication and of course hard work.”
However the radio’s listeners told Nyasa Times that they have learnt with dismay over the absence of a presenters and producers of the radio’s flagship program Day Break Malawi on the list of those who have given the awards.
“I don’t want to be mentioning names here but I tell you the crew that make the DayBreak Malawi programme is the most dedicated because having that program run daily for five days is no mean business,” said Chisomo Chingola,
Neema Kandoje (center) receiving her certificate of recognition and gift: Also in the pictures is Al Osman , the company director and Mrs Osman another director. Photo credit Capital Radio website
She says she hopes this is not going to demoralize other workers although “it has that potential to.”
Another keen listener also a former employee at the station concurred with Chingola saying while the development is appreciated as it would boost the morale of the awardees it’s utterly insult to those who haven’t been awarded.
“Ku Capital Radio kuli ntchito ya nyo! (There is tough work at Capital Radio). And for one to tell you that you are lazy is really an insult. There shouldn’t be a dividing line in how one works because those that are perceived to be lazy are swiftly dismissed from work without negotiations. I am questioning the criteria used in choosing the awardees”.
Those who have received the awards are Madalitso Phiri a sub-editor and head of sports and showbiz department, Wezi Nyirongo, a sub-editor and Rhodes Msonkho a reporter also a producer and presenter of News Talk program.
Others are Sam Kabambe head of programs department (DJs) who also present Morning Drive, man of the moment the Vintage man (Mr) Khama Nkhoma producer and presenter of Vintage show and Panther Rix a newly recruited bubbling DJ.
Neema Kandoje, Andrew Chatepa and Hastings Kamzingeni have received awards for their outstanding performance in filing the radio’s money coffers through soliciting advertisements.