At the start of the year 2025 the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) continued with its partnership with Radio Kwizera to bring the AHAPPY Program to young people in Tanzania through an exciting new initiative. This collaboration aims to promote holistic youth development by using media and community engagement to share the program’s life-affirming values and practical life skills.

Rulenge is a small town located in the outskirts of Ngara district of Kagera region in northwestern Tanzania. This area is known to be an entertainment hub for not only upcoming artists but also renowned artists and bands. On Friday April 25, 2025, Radio Kwizera assembled hundreds of youth residing within and without the area as its maiden Kijana Smart edition.

The event was punctuated with a talent displaying that was broadcasted live on its Double Mix program aired every Monday to Saturday from 14hrs to 16hrs and whose audience insight is 60 percent youthful. The Saturday program is called Top 20, a collection of the best hits during the week with a segment featuring an upcoming artist.

On this shiny Friday afternoon, budding youngsters grabbed the Kwizera TV-labeled microphones to witness to the public their prowess. In addition, it is the mixed public that selected the winner who went home with a glass-shining trophy and a one-month internet package courtesy of Yas Tanzania – a service provider collaborating with RK to grow its market penetration in the lake zone.

Kijana Smart second edition is slated for August 2025 at a venue to be announced later. We are grateful to our partners and well-wishers who supported us financially to kick start this youth-scissored event. We count on your support to reach more than 400,000 youth who tune in to Radio Kwizera according to Ipsos Synovate first quarter 2025 research. Furthermore, according to these pollsters Ipsos and Geopoll, Radio Kwizera is the leading community radio in the lake zone with an audience reach of more than one million. Overall, RK is ranked sixth radio station in the lake zone rubbing shoulders with national stations TBC Taifa, Radio Free Africa, Clouds FM, Radio One and Wasafi FM.

Together, AJAN and Radio Kwizera are empowering the next generation to make informed, responsible, and hopeful choices for their lives and communities.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  -Romans 8:28.

By, Vincent Opiyo SJ.,

Radio Kwizera