Article written by Rafael Oliviera, TWR Africa Intern 2021

On June 28, 2021, Worship ConneXion aired for the first time on TWR Africa and the New Life Africa Satellite Network (NLASN), with the aim of connecting listeners to each other and to God throughout the continent.

Hosts Unathi Sithole and Thulani Mdletshe emphasised the theme of connection during this time where circumstances have deprived many people of community with others. By asking listeners how they want the show to look like and what they would like to be communicated, Sithole and Mdletshe showed that they want to walk alongside, encourage, and support them as best they can. 

TWR Africa is partnering with a brand-new Christian satellite network to expand the reach of a popular music and commentary radio programme across most of the African continent.

Worship ConneXion, produced by the African branch of global media ministry TWR (also known as Trans World Radio), will air five days a week on the New Life Africa Satellite Network (NLASN) beginning June 28. The programme, currently called 100% Worship and distributed via satellite in South Africa, over FM in Malawi and on the internet, features TWR Africa hosts Unathi Sithole, Thulani Mdletshe and Marinus Geyser (see picture). With a new name and broader reach, the programme’s unique blend of contemporary music and engaging talk will be geared to listeners interested in knowing more about Christianity.

“When the global COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020 I got more messages from Italy!” Lorraine Stavropoulos, TWR’s DX-secretary told us. “People who were locked down with nothing to do seemed to begin listening to foreign radio stations.”

DXing, for those unfamiliar with the term, means listening to far-away — usually foreign — radio stations. "D" is said to mean distance and "X" refers to the unknown.

 Photo: Lorraine, TWR’s DX-secretary with her husband, Steve

“We are calling for prayer for TWR Woman of Hope in Central Africa. The security situation is serious as we write to you. The rebellion made its foray through coordinated attacks from the city of Bangui. Several people died, mostly in the southwest and north of the capital Zone where our prayer groups are located. Some phones don't answer calls. All activities are blocked. No news. Urgently pray for us. According to reports, children are traumatized by the detonations of heavy weapons.”

This message which we recently received from a TWR worker in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), is a confirmation of the staggering statistic, released by Open Doors last week, that Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa faced up to 30 percent higher levels of violence than the previous year, while other parts of the world saw a decrease in violence during the Covid-19 pandemic.*