‘Thank God it is Friday’: Responses to music scheduling on Radio Zimbabwe

Abstract

Music is the main diet of the most popular radio programmes in Africa and yet there are hardly any studies that examine either the ways in which it is programmed on radio, or circumstances under which it is consumed by Africans. This paper critically discusses this nexus by closely examining how a leading Zimbabwean radio station organises its music output to coincide with the daily life of members of its Zimbabwean listening public. Radio Zimbabwe's music policy (including quotas), music programming options and playlists are discussed to illustrate that music can only be relevant if it is scheduled in terms of rhythm with daily life and according to agreed professional judgements, which are supported by policy stipulations and playlists. Firstly, I discuss some general background, theoretical issues on music radio. Secondly, I explore scheduling particularities of some music programmes in relation to Zimbabwean daily life routines. I base my evaluations of Radio Zimbabwe music programmes on fieldwork findings from my research conducted with national broadcasters and listeners in Zimbabwe from 2000 to 2005.