FACTORY BUILDING; CARPENTERS PREPARE CABINETS; CABINETS ASSEMBLED; PARTS PREPARED; RADIOS BEING ASSEMBLED; RADIOS TESTED; RADIOS FOR DESPATCH; RADIOS LOADED INTO VAN.




Initials GHB/VS/MR/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE SUPERSONIC RADIO FACTORY AT LIVINGSTONE WAS OPENED IN MARCH LAST YEAR, AND IS ALREADY PROVIDING ENOUGH RADIOS AND RADIOGRAMS TO COVER THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE HOME MARKET AND A SUBSTANTIAL EXPORT TRADE.

PRESIDENT KAUNDA LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE FACTORY, WHICH IS NOW IN FULL PRODUCTION. IT PRODUCES RADIOS AND RADIOGRAMS TO THE TUNE OF SOME 6,000 A YEAR.

THE SUPERSONIC FACTORY IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION, AND THE FACTORY IN LIVINGSTONE COVERS 41,000 SQUARE FEET, IT HAS SOME 200 EMPLOYEES.

INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANIES IN EUROPE, SOUTH AMERICA AND AFRICA PRODUCE MANY STYLES OF TELEVISION AND RADIO RECEIVERS, RECORD PLAYERS, TAPE RECORDERS AND REFRIGERATORS. ALL THE RADIO NEEDS OF ZAMBIA ARE PRODUCED BY THIS FACTORY WITH A SURPLUS THAT EXPORTED TO TANZANIA, KENYA AND UGANDA.

ELEVEN DIFFERENT MODELS OF TRANSISTOR RADIOS AND RADIOGRAMS ARE MADE FOR THE HOME AND EXPORT MARKETS.

NOT SO LONG AGO ZAMBIANS ASSUMED THAT EVERY RADIO IN THE SHOP WINDOWS WAS IMPORTED. THE FACT THAT THIS IS NO LONGER SO REFLECTED THE VALUE OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION NOW TAKING PLACE IN THE COUNTRY.