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Audiences of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili flagship news, current affairs and information programme Dira ya Dunia (World Compass) are in for a surprise when they tune in on Monday 6 July.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili's most popular radio programme has been redesigned with new music, branded jingles and presentation style plus additional thematic slots and increased interactivity.

Dira ya Dunia, which now will be co-anchored by two presenters, is introducing a twice-weekly business slot and more sports reporting.

The new programme will offer more analytical pieces from reporters and experts, and increased interactivity with listeners via SMS and phone calls.

Head of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili – and one of Dira ya Dunia presenters – Solomon Mugera comments: "The new Dira ya Dunia has a livelier, punchier presentation style, and the new business slot is a product of our annual young entrepreneurs' competition, Faidika na ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ (Prosper with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ).

"Listeners wanted a forum where they can share business tips, ideas, experiences and advice, and we thought that Dira would be the perfect programme for this."

In addition to Solomon Mugera, the Dira presenter team includes Charles Hilary, Suluma Kassim, Salim Kikeke, Hassan Mhelela, Alex Mureithi, Peter Musembi, Flora Nducha, Mariam Omar, Ali Saleh, Idd Seif and Zuhura Yunus.

The redesign of Dira ya Dunia is only a beginning of a major revamp of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili radio programming.

Solomon Mugera comments: "We'll soon be introducing changes to the rest of the output, including the breakfast show, Amka na ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, and our hourly news bulletins."

The hour-long programme, Dira ya Dunia, starts at 18.30 East Africa Time and also includes regular slots such as Uchumi, each Friday, talking about local and international business news, and Elimu ya Leo, each Tuesday, with news from the world of science and technology.

Notes to Editors

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili is a multimedia broadcaster providing radio and online content to Swahili-speaking audiences.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Swahili is available on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ FM stations and/or partner radio networks in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Programmes are also available via the website, bbcswahili.com, which offers access to up-to-the minute news, features and analysis on East Africa and the rest of the world.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service Publicity