Content production can contribute to Zim’s GDP

Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
CONTENT production can easily contribute to the growth the Gross Domestic Product of the country as it has the potential to create millions of jobs.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Cde Thokozile Mathuthu said this during a content producers’ meeting held in Lupane on Friday, where she also urged artistes and members of the public to come up and produce quality programmes for local television.

“Through submitting content, we are able to develop our respective districts, thereby creating our own Zollywood,” she said, urging artistes and members of the public alike to actively participate in the national project.

Cde Mathuthu also urged people to submit content that Zimbabweans could identify with.

“There are TV programmes like Mr Bean, the weird and eccentric comedian. We found humour from his silly antics but he made a lot of money through that. Why can’t we then come up with programmes that promote our people? We can’t be subjected to programmes that undermine a people or race like how white people did with some of their programmes,” she said.

Cde Mathuthu said the Government was working hard to revamp Zimbabwe television by adding extra channels in the ongoing digitalisation programme.

“It is our hope that we bring back viewership to our national broadcaster, which we lost greatly to Dstv. Dstv became the preferred option for many, as they broadcast engaging and thrilling content, which is what viewers expect generally,” she said, noting that most programmes on Dstv are however, in conflict with values and culture of Zimbabweans.

Cde Mathuthu urged members of the public to actively participate in the project which has so far received 719 proposals from content producers countrywide.

“This project is open to everyone. This is not a political project but a national project that will benefit the whole country. Don’t be left out. This is a project that will contribute greatly to the country’s GDP, by creating millions of jobs,” she said.

Speaking at the same meeting, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Cde George Charamba, said content providers must form associations that will then be able to approach the ministry, with content proposals for funds.

“Such structures are a key element for interaction with Government. Producers should form structures in their respective districts that will then interact with the Government with their content proposals for assistance with funds,” he said.

Cde Charamba said the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has lost viewership not because there was something wrong with the national broadcaster but because Zimbabweans were in the habit of spending money on foreign products.

“We have this nasty habit of spending precious Zimbabwean money to buy products from outside, to buy and import cultural imperialism,” he said.

Cde Charamba boldly assured that once local content is availed, those viewers that had migrated to other TV programing would return. He said there would be a mandate to have 75 percent local content, so as to promote local productions.

Zimbabwe is in the process of migrating from analogue television broadcasting to digital.

@peterkmatika