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Press Releases
BBC's first FM radio partnership in Burundi
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Bonesha FM is the first FM station in Burundi to re-broadcast BBC programmes across the country meaning even more listeners can enjoy BBC programmes in FM quality sound.
Bonesha FM will now broadcast BBC programming in Kinyarwanda, Kirundi and Swahili on 96.8 FM in Bujumbura, 102.4 FM in Jenda and 87.7 FM in Mount Manga.
The new partnership with Bonesha FM complements the BBC's already strong FM presence in Burundi which includes BBC 90.2 FM in Bujumbura and BBC 105.6 FM in Mount Manga.
Bonesha FM listeners can now tune into BBC Great Lakes' weekday news programme BBC Gahuzamiryango at 16.30 GMT.
On Saturdays they can listen to Imvo n'imvano at 08.00 GMT and on Sundays they can catch up with the weekly soap opera Urunana at 05.30 GMT.
BBC Swahili broadcasts will include its news and current affairs programme Dira Ya Dunia at 15.30 GMT and a round-up of the big news stories from across the continent in Leo Afrika at 17.45 GMT.
Hafsa Mossi, Burundi Minister of Communications, said: "The BBC is an international broadcaster universally recognised for the quality of its news programmes. It's unbiased and objective reporting has hugely contributed to the peace process in Burundi, and we can only welcome the expansion of its presence on FM in our country."
Tim Cook, Head of BBC World Service French and Great Lakes, said: "The warmest of welcomes to our Bonesha FM listeners. We are delighted to be broadcasting to new audiences in crystal clear FM sound across the country.
"This new partnership means the BBC is now the number one international broadcaster in this market and I am confident listeners will enjoy our top quality programming from BBC Great Lakes, BBC Afrique and BBC Swahili."
Corneille Nibaruka, Director of Bonesha FM, said: "This new partnership with the BBC allows us to provide our listeners with diverse news programmes covering the whole of Africa and the rest of the world.
"It also helps us to bring together people from Burundi and the East Africa Community through a variety of rich programmes in Kirundi and Swahili, with the aim of effectively contributing to the integration of Burundi into that community."
BBC seeking young Swahili-speaking entrepreneurs
The BBC is seeking young business minded Swahili-speakers across Africa to take part in its Faidika na BBC (Prosper With The BBC) competition.
It is open to young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 24 and they have until Friday 16 May 2008 to submit their proposals on how they can start a successful business that has a positive impact on their community, using US $5,000.
The proposal should be no more than 1,500 words and can be sent by email to faidika@bbc.co.uk or posted to Faidika na BBC 2008, Building Maison de la Bible, Avenue de la Mission, 2eme etage, en face de PAR, Bujumbura BP 6790.
Competition rules and more information are available online at bbcswahili.com.
BBC World Service Publicity
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