The Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA), a cornerstone of the region’s media landscape since 1993, once again convened the industry’s leading figures for its 9th annual gathering in Victoria Falls.
Held in collaboration with Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) and hosted by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, the event was built around the timely and forward-looking theme, _”Content, Connectivity, Collaboration: Africa’s Broadcasting Media in the AI Era.”_
The focus on artificial intelligence was a key point of discussion.
In her presentation at the convention, Sputnik Africa’s Director, Victoria Budanova, praised Zimbabwe as “an amazing country” and detailed her agency’s global scope, which includes reporting in more than 30 languages. She articulated the outlet’s editorial philosophy, stating that its commitment to “undistorted” and unbiased reporting positions it as “a voice for the voiceless” in Africa. She emphasised that the agency “does not promote or interfere with the internal matters of sovereign countries.” Budanova also provided concrete examples of how AI is being creatively integrated into their production processes, making their workflow “faster and more productive.”
The event drew a global cohort of media practitioners who gathered to discuss how AI is revolutionising the continent’s media ecosystem. The convention culminated in a gala awards ceremony celebrating excellence and the unrivalled mastery of organic storytelling. From this celebratory evening, one announcement stood out: one of Sputnik Africa’s popular podcasts, _African Currents_, had clinched the award for Best Local Content Range on Radio.
The program, a multi-niche melting pot of authentic African storytelling, triumphed over formidable contenders from Namibia and South Africa. The award was presented to Sputnik Africa correspondent and podcast host Chimauchem Nwosu, a young and charismatic Nigerian whose voice carries both depth and optimism. Beyond broadcasting, he is a talented public speaker who appears at international forums and has a knack for mentorship. This award has cemented his place not only among Nigeria’s but also Africa’s powerful radio voices—a testament to his growing influence as a storyteller who bridges cultures, inspires dialogue, and gives fresh resonance to the African narrative. He meticulously captures the continent’s heartbeat, curating stories that reveal its ingenuity, struggle, and triumph.
Nwosu expressed that he was “deeply honoured and humbled” by the recognition. “This award belongs to every Sputnik and every African storyteller who dares to dream, who believes that our stories deserve to be told, and who works tirelessly to make African voices heard,” he said. “African Currents is more than a program; it’s a movement. It’s about reclaiming our narratives and showing that innovation, courage, and excellence are born right here on our continent.”
He also connected the win to the convention’s central theme, reflecting on the balance between technology and humanity. “AI can enhance how we create and distribute content,” he noted, “but it’s the heart that gives African storytelling its power. Technology should never replace our humanity; it should amplify it.”
African Currents captivates its audience through incisive short and long-form dialogues, creating a platform so compelling that listeners find it indispensable. Its award-winning episode, _“Africa’s Medical Ingenuity Transforms Lives and Builds Healthier Futures,”_ embodies this mission. The episode showcased African pioneers reshaping the global healthcare narrative and offered insight into the continent’s breakthroughs in modern medicine. It highlighted Professor Mashudu Tshifularo, Head of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of Pretoria, who made global headlines in 2019 by performing the world’s first middle-ear transplant using 3D-printed bones, restoring a patient’s hearing. It also featured Professor Anil Madaree and the transformative work of Operation Smile, which provides life-changing reconstructive surgery for children and adults with cleft conditions across South Africa and beyond.
Through episodes like these, Chimauchem Nwosu’s African Currents captures Africa in motion. His guests range from lawmakers and tech innovators to educators and cultural icons—each conversation reinforcing the belief that Africa’s stories are best told by Africans themselves.
For Sputnik Africa, the award represents more than prestige. It amplifies its influence as a pan-continental, multilingual broadcaster that reaches audiences across Africa and beyond in English, French, Swahili, and Amharic. Earlier this year, it opened regional offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Its programs, now aired through partner stations in several countries, continue to weave the continent’s diverse voices into a unified and powerful narrative.
At Victoria Falls, amid the applause and the mist from the Zambezi, SABA’s mission came full circle—celebrating African media not just as an industry, but as a force shaping how the world listens to the continent.
