Inzwa!

Freedom Fone is a free open source software tool that can be used to build and update a dial-up information service in any language. It is designed to help organisations set up their own dial-up information services by removing barriers of cost, skill, and operation. According to its designers, Freedom Fone leverages the fastest growing tool for personal access to information 24/7 (mobile phones) and marries it with citizen radio programming.

According to the organisers, the idea for using Freedom Fone for Inzwa! came out of Kubatana’s desire to extend their outreach to the large and growing number of mobile phone users - without the 160 character limitations of short message service (SMS). Using a prototype of the software, the project is working to disseminate the same types of information that Kubatana shares on its website, in its text messages, and via email newsletters in audio format.


Listeners can call in to access the information which is updated weekly. The user instructions are as follows:

• To call Inzwa! dial +263 913 444 321-8.
• Press 1 for "60 Seconds Fresh" current news and views.
• Press 2 to enter the "Doorway to Chibanzi for job vacancies, scholarships, or resources".
• Press 3 to find out about everyday heroes, Zimbabwean activists, and activism.
• Press 4 to listen to Zanele talking about music and introducing new musicians.
• Press 5 to leave a message.

The audio is also archived on the Kubatana website.

Organisers say that that Freedom Fone empowers non-technical organisations to build automated information services that are available to the public anytime. Pre-recorded audio files are stored by Freedom Fone in a Content Management System (CMS). These audio clips populate an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu through which callers can navigate for information. Individuals can contribute questions, content, and feedback by leaving voice messages via the IVR interface. Freedom Fone can be operated as a collective with different groups managing different channels (IVR menu options) of information from the same installation.

Rights, New Technology

The Kubatana Trust of Zimbabwe, incorporating the NGO Network Alliance Project (NNAP), works to strengthen the use of email and internet strategies in Zimbabwean non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations. Kubatana works to make human rights and civic education information accessible from a centralised, electronic source.