NGOZI, January 8th (ABP) – Burundi Head of State Evariste Ndayishimiye officially inaugurated on Friday January 5, 2024, the activities of Buntu Television.
The ceremonies took place in the premises of the Buntu Foundation which houses the Buntu Ijwi ry’Impfuvyi n’Abapfakazi Radio and Television (The voice of widows and orphans) located in Buye village of Mwumba commune.
The Head of State first visited the various television departments, before hosting a broadcast led by the director of that television.
On that occasion, the Head of State congratulated Mrs. Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza, chairperson of the Buntu Foundation for initiating the project to set up RTV Buntu.
He said that the media have a very important role to play in achieving the ‘emerging Burundi in 2040 and developed Burundi in 2060’ Vision. According to him, the media train and inform the people for their development. They market and advertise good works and thus help the country achieve its development.
President Ndayishimiye said he was very confident about the contribution of RTV Buntu to the development of the country. By its slogan ‘Ijwi ry’impfuvyi n’abapfakazi’, RTV Buntu will be able to give hope to the desperate people and the poverty-stricken ones who will also be able to integrate into Burundian society and contribute to the building of Burundi.
The President of the Republic encouraged RTV Buntu workers to move forward and produce newspapers and programs that move the country forward. He asked Burundians to learn to read and follow information and broadcasts in the media, a necessary path for development in any country in the world.
Mrs. Bucumi Nkurunziza indicated that she initiated the project in 2017, but that it encountered obstacles which were fortunately overcome. She mentioned COVID-19 and the fire that broke out in television speakers in 2022.
The assistant to the Minister of Communication, Information Technologies and Media, Thierry Kitamoya, did not fail to congratulate RTV Buntu which has already shown its professionalism. Its journalists have won several awards at the national and even international level, according to Mr. Kitamoya, who has, moreover, promised government support for the successful implementation of the activities planned by RTV Buntu.