Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe
The Government has underscored the need to tell Zimbabwe’s own story and bridge the information gap between urban and rural communities, as the country intensifies preparations for the 46th Independence Day celebrations on April 18.
This comes as the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) rolled out a community outreach programme in Maphisa, Matabeleland South province, drawing large crowds to a vibrant radio road show held at Maphisa Business Centre yesterday.
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to ensure that communities across the country are not only informed, but also actively participate in national discourse and development processes.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Omphile Marupi said the outreach reflected the Government’s commitment to inclusive development and citizen participation.
“This is what we mean when we say no one is being left behind,” he said.
“The story of Maphisa is being told by the people of Maphisa themselves, and that is very important in building a shared national identity.”
Dr Marupi said the ongoing infrastructure development in the district ahead of the Independence Day celebrations was evidence of the Second Republic’s people-centred approach.
“There is visible infrastructure development taking place in preparation for Independence, and most of this infrastructure will remain to benefit the community long after the celebrations,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, said the outreach programme speaks directly to the Government’s thrust of inclusive communication.
“The road show is important in that it fulfils ZBC’s mandate to inform, educate and entertain,” he said. “It also provides a platform to educate communities on key national issues such as the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 and its provisions.”
Mr Mangwana said bringing such engagements to grassroots communities ensured that no Zimbabwean was left behind in accessing information critical to national development.
ZBC chief executive officer Mr Sugar Chagonda said the public broadcaster had a critical role in amplifying Zimbabwean voices and narratives. “As ZBC, we are in Maphisa as a precursor to the national Independence celebrations to tell the Zimbabwean story,” he said. “We brought television sets which we handed over to traditional leaders, schools and rural district councils so that communities remain informed.”
Mr Chagonda said the outreach provided an opportunity to identify and nurture local talent for national broadcasting platforms.
“We have also observed a lot of talent here which we believe can be harnessed for ZBC content, ensuring that communities like Maphisa are represented on our national platforms,” he said.
The road show, characterised by music, interactive programmes and community engagement, also served as a key platform to bridge the information divide, particularly in disseminating national policies and legislative developments.
It came at a time when the Government is intensifying efforts to decentralise national events, ensuring that previously marginalised areas benefit from both development and national visibility.
Yesterday’s event also featured lively performances from local artistes, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the area, while reinforcing the importance of community participation in national programmes.
As Zimbabwe counts down to Independence Day under the theme “Zim@46: Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030”, the Government says telling the Zimbabwean story through platforms such as ZBC remains central to fostering national unity, promoting development and closing the information gap across the country.
