The Chronicle
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Reporter
Minister of INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa, said Zimbabwe’s transformative history under the Second Republic was reflected in the expansion of media space and wider coverage of the stages of development crossed.
The overall transformation of the media sector, alongside the resumption of growth in other key sectors of the economy, is creating more employment opportunities for locals, thus reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive development, she said.
Speaking to reporters in Bulawayo after touring the stalls of parastatals under her ministry, which are exhibiting at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), Minister Mutsvangwa said she was proud of the way local media continue to inform, educate and entertain citizens towards an appreciation of a more developed Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair
She said the liberalization of the media, which saw the opening of the airwaves and the licensing of new media players, was an important step.
“I am quite happy with our institutions and our partners. They are here at ZITF to fulfill the mandate to inform and entertain our people. There are a lot of things coming out of their pits and we can tell they are rethinking, reinventing and reinvesting,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
“We are seeing new things coming and new channels coming on board. Just yesterday we launched the first ever entertainment channel, Jive TV. We also have ZTN which was licensed a while ago. not so long and they will launch their news channel soon.
President Mnangagwa
The minister said the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in terms of development, hence the drive to create an upper middle income economy by 2030 .
This is to be achieved through, among other things, a comprehensive media role in informing citizens about ongoing government projects and programs that aim to improve the livelihoods of ordinary people.
“We don’t want to leave anyone behind or any place behind us.
That is why we have issued community radio station licenses and issued some to universities because as young people in Zimbabwe they need to be informed, they need to be educated and know where we are from and what we do,” said Minister Mutsvangwa. .
“The Second Republic is a question of responsibility towards the people. We have ensured that there are ministry officers in all neighborhoods of our 10 provinces of country.
“This is done to make sure the information gets to everyone and for the central government to review all the information. So we are satisfied with what our department is doing.
“The media sector works hard, information is power and we want to make sure everyone knows what the government is doing in terms of programs and projects because some people just moan and don’t want to see what that is happening”.
Minister Mutsvangwa said President Mnangagwa was working hard to ensure that Zimbabwe develops faster hence rolling out key infrastructure projects such as road rehabilitation and construction, schools and clinics to ensure the well-being of every Zimbabwean.
“Industrialization is also underway and we have mines and factories opening up for Zimbabweans to start working hard in their own country,” she said.
“We don’t want to take students out of university who will end up on the streets. So the Second Republic is very concerned, we want to create jobs for all our people and that’s what the media are doing.
“I am very impressed with the position taken by Zimpapers, ZBC, Trans Media, BAZ, who have done a great job licensing without fear or favor so we are here and we are going to develop this industry.
Earlier, Minister Mutsvangwa conducted a tour of media booths during which she commended the media for innovation and creating content that supports national development.
During his Zimpapers tour stand the minister was shown a diversity of media products and crossed by different production processes in the three divisions of the group, print and digital, audiovisual and commercial printing.
The Minister also had the opportunity to go live on Nyaminyami FM where she urged members of the public to continue to engage in activities that will further development towards Vision 2030.
— @thamamoe
