Limpho Sello
MASERU — The Chinese government on Friday donated digital equipment to Lesotho’s two state-owned radio stations and television. The donation came from the China-Aid Construction for Radio and Television Network Expansion Project. The equipment was handed over to Communications Minister Tšeliso Mokhosi by Chinese ambassador, Hu Ding Xian, who was accompanied by the Chinese technical team from Anhui Telecommunications Engineering Company.
Anhui Telecommunications Engineering Company is expected to implement the digitalisation project.
The digital equipment has been described as one of “the most advanced in the world”. The equipment comes at a time when the Communications Ministry is in the process of moving from analogue to digital in an effort to improve the coverage of Radio Lesotho, Ultimate FM and Lesotho Television.
The equipment is meant to improve video, audio and editing at the state broadcasters. Speaking at the hand-over ceremony Ambassador Hu Ding Xian said the donation aims “to help Lesotho News Broadcasting Services (LNBS) to upgrade the audio and video systems of news studios”. He said the improved broadcasting of Lesotho Television station will benefit the Basotho people immensely.
“During the implementation of the project a series of impressive achievements have been made through the joint efforts of both teams of the two countries,” Hu said. “The most advanced audio and video system equipment of a 20 square metre news studio and nine linear editing systems have been installed successfully,” he said. Speaking at the same occasion, Mokhosi said he was honoured to receive the assistance on behalf of the government.
He said Lesotho Television plays a critical role in national development. “Access to information is a fundamental right of our people,” Mokhosi said, adding that there is also need for “quality information”.
He said the world is moving away from analogue to digital broadcasting and Lesotho television was in the process of replacing its studio equipment which was going to take them years to do so because of limited resources.
“Therefore your Excellency your assistance came at the opportune moment, the government of Lesotho highly treasures this support,” he said. “We also acknowledge that your government has always supported Lesotho in several ways and we still hope that you will continue to collaborate with the CCTV and film producers so that we are able to enhance the quality of the content of Lesotho Television.”
Mokhosi said he was aware of the problems at the stations.
He acknowledged staff shortages but also praised radio and television workers who are working “very hard to meet the daily requirements” despite problems.