Wahapahapa Radio Program
Wahapahapa is an exciting HIV communication radio program targeting young people on Radio Free Africa. The program uses entertainment education to explore key social issues that fuel HIV/AIDS in Tanzania.
This weekly 30 minute radio series is made possible through the support from the Tanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the US President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); Wahapahapa is managed by STRADCOM - a project of The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Centre for Communication Programs (CCP) – and received technical assistance from Media for Development International.
The program follows the lives of band members as they deal with everyday issues such as relationships, music & sex. Wahapahapa’s storyline carefully integrates instructive messages around stigma, cross generational sex, multiple concurrent partners, HIV testing, and treatment and care. Using humor, drama, and music; characters model positive behaviour change to help develop and strengthen young people’s belief that they can make safe, healthy, responsible, and respectful decisions about sex and relationships. Wahapahapa also looks to reduce stigma and discrimination against and positive living among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA).
A unique aspect of Wahapahapa is that is also reflects the current musical scene in Tanzania. Producers came up with a radio-deejay character Ray, whose show Mwale wa Jua, showcases real-life musicians and bands in Tanzania. Banana Zorro is one of the first musicians to be featured on Wahapahapa.
Below is the broadcasting schedule for the Wahapahapa radio serial drama:
| Station | Location | First Transmission | Repeat |
| Radio One | Dar - National | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Sundays 18:00 |
| Radio Free Africa | Mwanza - National | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Sundays 15:00 |
| TBC Taifa | National | Mondays 20:30 - 21:00 | Thursdays 17:30 |
| Radio Uhuru | Dar, Coast, Zanzibar | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Mwamboa FM | Tanga | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Abood FM | Morogoro | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Ebony FM | Iringa | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Bomba FM | Mbeya | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Radio Sauti ya Injili | Moshi | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Voice of Tabora | Tabora | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Pride FM | Mtwara, Lindi | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Sibuka FM | Sgunyanga | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
| Victoria FM | Mara | Mondays 18:00 - 18:30 | Saturdays 09:00 |
- The Strategic Radio Communication for Development (STRADCOM) Project Confronts HIV/AIDS through Entertainment (December 1, 2007)
Visit wahapahapa.com (Swahili only)