Visit to VOA in Washington DC

One of Radio Khwezi’s objectives is to continue learning, developing, and expanding their broadcasting capabilities in order to reach its goals. What better way than visiting one of the largest radio broadcasting stations in the world, i.e. Voice of America (VOA) in Washington DC.

I am one of the presenters in the Afrikaans department and would like to convey my appreciation towards the sponsors. Although the security was strict I was able to see most of the departments, including the English broadcasting department for African news wich are transmitted here in South Africa.

VOA broadcasts in 45 different languages. In Africa additional languages in which you could listen to the news are Swahili, Portuguese, Ndebele, Tswana, Afar Oromo, Shona, English, Persian, Tigrigna, Uzbek Urdu and many more. They have also recently started with a television broadcasting division which I could see as well.

One of the VOA presenters Mr. J Santorita took me through the enormous 3-4 story building with newsrooms, studios and technician rooms which make this world wide broadcasting possible. This building also houses the first electronic stairway in Washington DC. Although their head office is based in Washington DC, the capital of the USA, they also have approximately 25 other broadcasting centres across the globe. In Africa there are three; Botswana, Morocco and Senegal.