50 years of English language broadcasting to Africa
Picture gallery marking fifty years of English language broadcasting for Africa
Beginnings
Deutsche Welle began its shortwave radio broadcasts in May 1953, a milestone in West Germany's efforts to emerge from early post-World War Two isolation. English language broadcasts started in 1954, programs in English specifically for Africa were launched in 1962.
President of Zambia
Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda in conversation with Dieter Brauer, head of Deutsche Welle's Africa-English department in 1984. Kaunda, who ruled Zambia from 1964 to 1991, was one of a number of leaders who came to power as African states gained independence from colonial rule.
DW's Cologne premises
Wind-swept members of Deutsche Welle's Africa-English department outside the station's new premises in Cologne in the mid-1980s. By this time the Africa-English service had long established a loyal listeners' base. The challenges that were to hit shortwave broadcasters in the post-Cold War era had not yet arrived.
Globy
Before the internet revolution, Deutsche Welle used to regularly send out program guides to listeners who requested them. To give these publications a more personal, human touch, a cartoon figure called Globy was created.
Kenyan minister for tourism
Kenya's minister for tourism, George Muhoho (a brother-in-law of Kenya's founding father, Jomo Kenyatta) in conversation with Roy Forbes of Deutsche Welle's Africa-English department in 1989.
Multimedia future
The new English for Africa department was created in October 2011. The team produces the Africalink show every weekday and is responsible for English language online content about Africa. Author: Mark Caldwell, Editor: Daniel Pelz