Media earns praise for shaping up Brand Zimbabwe

From Gibson Mhaka in Mutare 

THE media fraternity has been lauded for playing an important role in the transformation of the country’s economy by shaping public perception and enabling the Government to effectively communicate policies, strategies and programmes meant to develop the economy.

Addressing journalists during a media workshop on diamond mining in Mutare, Zimbabwe on Wednesday, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Misheck Mugadza said the media played a crucial role in shaping up Brand Zimbabwe.

The workshop, which was organised by Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) in partnership with the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company, is running under the theme: “Equipping the Media to achieve Informative and Responsible Diamond Mining Reporting”.

Minister Mugadza said the Second Republic under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa is implementing an engagement and re-engagement framework.

“The media fraternity plays a pivotal role in the implementation of this framework. Negative perceptions about our country minimise the value that we derive from our natural resources,” he said.

“Zimbabwe boasts of having more than 60 mineral resources and I am proud that the province you have visited today also boasts of having these minerals.”

Minister Mugadza said apart from being the hub of precious gems —  diamonds, Manicaland province was also  endowed with lithium, gold, tantalite, copper, iron, and marble among many others.

“Other than mining, the province is rich in the agriculture sector, a key economic activity with horticultural crops, tea and coffee, and our timber plantations are immensely thriving not forgetting tourism which is a major sub-sector of our local provincial economy,” he said. “I believe that with our various initiatives with both the private and public sectors, we are on the right trajectory. Furthermore, as a province, we are currently facilitating trade in the country and we are proud of being the gateway to external markets through Port Beira.”

Minister Mugadza said some of the notable products that are currently being exported through the Beira port include granite, timber, macadamia, tea and coffee.

He said diamond mining is part of the province’s strategic development plan to lead the transformation of Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large.

“Our mining companies including ZCDC are contributing significantly towards the provincial Gross Domestic Product. To date, I am proud that our state miner, ZCDC has not only created employment for the people of Manicaland province but is also investing in various corporate social responsibility programmes,” he said.

“They are giving back to the community and supporting our national development agenda.” 

Minister Mugadza also hailed ZCDC for setting a target of US$6 million as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, thus, contributing towards the improvement of health, education, and infrastructure among others.

“The Sakubva Urban Renewal Project which the company had undertaken to partly finance is a key project which we are also looking forward to its completion. 

I encourage ZCDC leadership to continuously invest more towards uplifting livelihoods of the people of Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large through embarking on more initiatives which support our communities,” he said.