Once a niche medium, podcasts have exploded into the African creative industry. Like everywhere in Africa, Zambia has seen a steady rise in podcasts. Creators gather around microphones, sharing stories, insights, and laughter. But there’s a twist with the ever-present specter of load-shedding. These scheduled power outages plunge neighborhoods into darkness, making it a challenge to keep the mics on stay on.
In a recent conversation with Chulu Chansa, founder and host of the Africana Woman Podcast, a show centered around women’s wellness and health, we delved into the impact of load-shedding on podcasting.
According to Chulu, she thrives during nighttime recording sessions when the world is quiet, allowing for pristine sound quality. However, load-shedding poses a formidable challenge to her nocturnal endeavors. While solo episodes remain manageable, interviewing guests becomes tricky under the threat of power outages. Chulu, though, isn’t yet at the stage where interviews are necessary. Her load-shedding workaround is pre-recorded content that she releases strategically from her library. As the challenge worsens, this technique proves invaluable. Podcasters can create episodes during power availability and release them during blackouts, ensuring their mics stay on.
On the other hand, we spoke with Wedson Msoni, host of the Underestimated Voices Podcast, who shared a contrasting perspective. For him, load-shedding significantly disrupts his production schedule. Recording could be more consistent. But he often juggles rescheduled sessions with alternative power sources like solar panels and generators. Unfortunately, these alternatives introduce unwanted noise or distortion, affecting audio quality. Moreover, Wedson’s podcast has experienced a decline in listener engagement during load-shedding hours. Most of his Zambian listeners opt-out during power outages, leading to decreased downloads and engagement metrics.
Meanwhile, Chulu admitted that assessing listener engagement in load-shedding periods wasn’t her primary focus. Why? Because podcasts operate on a Content-On-Demand model. Unlike mainstream media, where fixed schedules dictate consumption, podcast listeners tune in whenever it suits them. Chulu emphasized that her podcast’s audience extends beyond Zambia’s borders. With listeners across the continent and around the globe, places where electricity isn’t a daily struggle, her listenership patterns remain consistent.
Chulu’s strategic approach involves looking beyond Zambia. While the country grapples with an electricity deficit and connectivity issues, she recognizes the importance of catering to a broader audience. Producing content for listeners beyond her immediate surroundings keeps her podcast alive and opens doors to wider listenership across Africa and beyond.
On the flip side, Chulu acknowledged a fundamental truth: she can’t podcast without power. As such, she patiently waits for electricity to be restored. However, she generously shared a productivity tip for those moments which is preparation. She advised that fellow podcasters should gear up during power outages. They should have their content scripts ready, ensure equipment is set, and hit the ground running when the lights are on.
This proactive approach allows creators to work within their load-shedding schedules, whether it’s an unpredictable night or afternoon blackout.
And for those in areas with irregular or nonexistent load-shedding schedules, Chulu suggests seeking out reliable havens. Find a place where power rarely falters, and with the owner’s permission, turn it into your recording or editing sanctuary. After all, creativity knows no boundaries—even when the lights flicker.
For Wedson, load-shedding isn’t just a challenge, it’s an opportunity for exploration. He’s taken the time to understand its impact on his audience reach. Through his assessments, he discovered that evening and nighttime hours are crucial. This is when listeners are at home, seeking entertainment and information. However, without electricity, this is almost impossible. Interestingly, his podcast listeners in Zambia have shifted their preferences during load-shedding. They consume content more when power is relatively stable, avoiding frequent outage periods.
Additionally, Wedson discovered that his audience leans toward shorter episodes during power outages. Rather than lengthy, in-depth episodes, they crave content that seamlessly fits into blackout moments. To keep his podcast running, Wedson has explored innovative strategies including pre-recording. He prepares content in advance, ensuring a steady stream even during outages. When interviewing guests, he records separately and syncs the audio later. This flexibility minimizes disruptions caused by load-shedding. Moreover, he also fine-tunes audio quality and schedules publication strategically during power downtime, exemplifying resilience.
Meanwhile, Wedson notes that although load-shedding is an overwhelming topic for audiences, he cannot shy away from talking about it. As such, he aims for a balance; interspersing load-shedding-related content with other captivating topics. This way, he ensures his audience doesn’t drown in frustration. Moreover, practical tips and solutions take center stage, offering a lifeline amidst the chaos just like Chulu who has deftly weaved this topic into her blog content. In her post, she emphasized the importance of maintaining the right mindset even when faced with power outages. Chulu also delicately touches on load-shedding in her podcast intros. This is to acknowledge its impact without overshadowing her primary mission of the Africana Woman Podcast which is telling women’s stories. After all, her blog and podcast are committed to narratives that inspire, uplift and connect. So, while others might dwell on the darkness of load-shedding, Chulu chooses to illuminate the strength and resilience of women, casting a beacon of hope.
Chulu, ever the insightful podcaster, steers her thoughts toward adaptation. But what does this mean in practical terms?
While Chulu remains blissfully unaware of the innovations brewing in other podcasters’ studios, she believes in-person interviews are the gold standard for content creation during this period. There’s an intimacy or a rawness that only face-to-face conversations can capture. However, in cases where podcast guests span continents, Chulu advises swapping casual chats for structured questionnaires. It’s a matter of flexibility, necessity, and creativity in such a time.
To Chulu, load-shedding is an obstacle to the podcasting scene in Zambia. It threatens opportunities emerging from this new and vibrant way of media consumption. Hence, she rallies her fellow podcasters “to be creative.” She urges podcasters to strive for quality while retaining engaging, entertaining, and informative content production. Chulu’s solution is simple. It is to solicit podcast recording service providers. Let them wield their magic while the world outside dims. After all, creativity knows no bounds, even in the face of load-shedding.
Meanwhile, despite the challenges, Wedson sees silver linings. Loadshedding, he notes, has led to the rise of new technologies; not just for podcasting but for broader applications. And the Zambian podcasting community is tighter-knit than ever. Shared experiences have forged connections between creators, sparking collaboration and idea exchange.
So, amidst the darkness, podcasters in Zambia have found their light. They are showing resilience to the challenge through adaptability, creativity and collaborative and strategic problem-solving. Loadshedding may dim the bulbs, but it can’t extinguish their passion to tell their stories. Hence, the mic is still on.
By Muzhinga Kankinda
Content writer and APVA Zambia Country Rep
