Precious Kadwala’s path to broadcasting began with a dream. As a young girl, she admired news anchors on TV and radio, wishing to be seen and heard in homes across the country. That desire grew as she realized that broadcasting would allow her to connect with people, share stories, and deliver news that could make a difference in people’s lives.
She says, “I’ve always believed that through broadcasting, I could serve as a bridge—a carrier of good news to people from all walks of life.” Miss Kadwala’s interest in hearing and telling people’s stories was another driving force behind her decision to pursue a career in radio.
In 2020, after completing her diploma, Miss Kadwala began an internship that intensified her passion for radio. This internship was part of her diploma program, providing practical experience in the field. The experience opened her eyes to the many facets of journalism, from reporting to program production, and she recognized the potential of radio to inform and engage listeners.
She now works at Nyanthepa Community Radio Station in southern Malawi, in the Nsanje district. One of Miss Kadwala’s standout programs is Ulimi Wopambana (Profitable Agriculture), which aims to help farmers view agriculture as a viable business. Through this show, she explores new practices that farmers may consider adopting. The program often covers topics such as climate change, women’s and gender issues, and mental health, all of which are important to Miss Kadwala.
Her involvement in local agricultural committees, such as the district stakeholder panel and the agriculture extension coordinating committee, helps her stay informed on issues affecting farmers. These platforms, combined with community feedback through text messages, guide the topics she covers on Ulimi Wopambana. Miss Kadwala’s shows are often recorded in the field, where she speaks directly with farmers and agricultural experts to provide a comprehensive view of the topics discussed.
A recent episode featured Medson Mzonda, a farmer from Nsanje, Malawi, who implemented an innovative water-trapping technique to address drought and flooding. His “water trap” system not only preserves water for his crops but also prevents soil erosion during floods. Mr. Mzonda has taught this method to others in his community, leading to increased yields, particularly during a season when many farmers struggled due to inadequate rainfall. Miss Kadwala says, “The joy of seeing farmers like Mr. Mzonda succeed motivates me to continue sharing stories that make a difference.”
Miss Kadwala also uses of songs, performed by farmer clubs and related to the topic of the day, to add an entertaining element to her programs. This, combined with community engagement and educational content, makes her show both informative and enjoyable.
Despite the challenges of hosting live radio shows, such as technical issues or postponed recordings, Miss Kadwala finds fulfillment in creating content that resonates with her listeners. She says, “Feedback from the community is vital—it helps me improve and ensures that the program remains relevant and impactful.” Her commitment to community voices and local stories is evident in every broadcast. She says, “I often record in the communities where farmers live, ensuring that their voices are heard directly on the air.”
Looking ahead, Miss Kadwala is excited to explore new directions for her show, particularly in integrating agriculture with culture, gender, and climate issues. Her advice to aspiring broadcasters is simple. She shares, “There is always something new to learn. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges, and always listen to the people you serve.”
Nyanthepa Community Radio Station is a Two-mic member in Farm Radio’s network and Miss Kadwala will be one of several broadcasters from our network attending the World Food Forum 2024, held Oct. 14 – 18 at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy. The forum will bring together global experts, passionate changemakers, and visionary leaders of all ages to discuss this year’s theme: “Good food for all, for today and tomorrow.”
Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian non-profit organization specializing in ICT-enabled extension and communication for reaching rural and remote communities at scale in local languages in sub-Saharan Africa. FRI’s core expertise is collaborative, user-focused co-creation of quality information and advisory services, combining radio and mobile phones, other ICTs and face-to-face interaction