The station, which is run by Zimbabweans, will broadcast from the United Kingdom three hours a day everyday through the short wave frequency band.

"SW Radio Africa will begin operating this Wednesday from 6-9 pm seven days a week on short wave 6145 KHZ in the 49 metre band," said the station’s spokesperson. "Since the station will be operating from short wave, there is no need to get a licence from the government."

The spokesperson said the station was not affiliated to any political party or institution but aimed to give hope to many Zimbabweans who have been weighed down by a growing economic and political crisis.

"The station is run by Zimbabweans for Zimbabweans and will give listeners unbiased information so they can make informed decisions not just on political issues but on other aspects of their lives," the spokesperson said.

"SW Radio Africa will provide balanced and in-depth news coverage and a comprehensive look at current affairs and social issues, with emphasis on HIV, health and voter education."

The state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, which holds a monopoly on broadcasting and is being used by the ruling ZANU PF party as its propaganda tool, is the only entity in the country allowed to operate a radio or television station.

A new authority, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Authority which is still controlled by the government, has however started receiving applications for broadcasting licences.

Media analysts say the authority is unlikely to issue any new licences any time soon and certainly not before crunch presidential elections which pit President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are held in March next year.

As in most developing countries, radio in Zimbabwe is the single biggest medium of communication among rural people and the government is reluctant to give up its monopoly on broadcasting.