Job done in Malawi

About to leave Blantyre for Joburg. In typical Air Malawi organisation I needed to check in at a counter that said “lusaka” to fly to Joeys, and the flight which is meant to be via Lilongwe is now an hour late and not stopping at Lilongwe. Wonder where we will land, and if our bags will be in the same place?

Posted by Mark Posted in: Projects No Comments » July 2008

Going on air at Ndengu

One of the last items on our agenda for our gathering in Malawi has been to establish an ON AIR date for the station. There are numerous obstacles to overcome, including university exams, a new baby coming to a missionary couple, a long overdue holiday for another missionary couple! So here is what we have decided to do:

1. Buks van de Merwe will accept appointment (by FRSA) as Station Development Manager at Ndengu, and will try to be in Malawi and on-site by the first week of September 2008.

2. Test transmissions will commence unofficially anytime after Buk’s arrival, to allow Graham to check all technical systems.

3. Official test transmissions, with a schedule of Yawo language broadcasts will commence on Monday 22 September 2008. There will be some tests also, of switching between the TWR network and the studio at Ndengu. Graham will use September to train Buks on all technical matters and studio equipment.

4. Anton Meyer will pull together a date for an official opening ceremony, plan the event, invite special guests from local and national radio. This date will likely be very late November or early December.

These dates are very tight, and a significant amount of faith is involved! Prayer needs:

1. audio and power cable between studio and tx hut arrives onsite from South Africa in less than 4 weeks

2. that Buks can get his exam centre changed from Pretoria to Zomba (Malawi) for his UNISA exams

3. Anton’s coordinating of an official opening ceremony nearer Christmas time

4. Buks can complete his support-raising goals in South Africa, for help from FRSA staff in this

5. Additional funding can be raised to purchase a generator set for the project

Posted by Mark Posted in: Newsworthy, Prayer, Projects No Comments » July 2008

Revised MOU signed for Ndengu project

Two and a half days of hard-talk, prayer, and desire to make the project happen, has resulted in a revised Memorandum of Understanding between the three Ndengu Project partners (Feba, TWR and SABU/BUSA). The document was put through a final discussion and edit this morning, and signed on behalf of partners by Mark Taylor, Keith Moller, and Patrick Semphere. The new agreement moves the project from construction phase to operations stage, and includes agreed partner values, functional issues of programming, technical matters, administration of the project, relationships between partners, compliance with Malawi government regulations, staion identity, and culural sensitivity.

 

 

Posted by Mark Posted in: Newsworthy, Projects No Comments » July 2008