Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda is leading the Zimbabwe Delegation that is attending the 7th forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in China, a subsidiary mechanism for exchanges and dialogue in the media sector under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework.
Since 2012, it has been held biennially in Beijing and six sessions have been successfully held and it has played a positive role in advancing exchanges and mutual learning among Chinese and African civilizations and promoting the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
Addressing the forum, Minister Soda said Zimbabwe’s media modernization was firmly anchored in their supreme law—the Constitution of Zimbabwe—which guarantees the citizens’ foundational rights to information and free expression.
“Alongside leadership from Zimbabwe’s public broadcasting pillars, we are here to transform these constitutional principles into lived realities by fostering true media plurality and diversity. This vision aligns perfectly with China’s newly approved 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), which champions advanced digital infrastructure. We seek to align our sector with the technical frontiers outlined in this blueprint, focusing on Artificial Intelligence for automated content localization, advanced data analytics, and 5G broadcasting infrastructure.
“By building a shared digital future, we directly accelerate Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2: 2026–2030), launched by His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. NDS2 drives innovation and the digital economy to fulfill our Vision 2030 goal of transforming Zimbabwe into a prosperous, upper-middle-income society. In harmony with this momentum, we celebrate the milestones of our broader commercial cooperation,” he said.
He said following China’s landmark Zero-Tariff Policy implemented on May 1, 2026, Zimbabwe moved swiftly to execute all administrative protocols.
“This policy is already a lived reality; last month, Zimbabwe successfully exported its first commercial consignment of fresh blueberries to China, opening a glorious new frontier for our horticulture industry. Our media sector stands ready to publicize these trade frameworks, promote industrial synergy, and broadcast our shared economic triumphs.
“At the core of this all-weather friendship is human capital development. I am delighted to highlight that our partnership now offers exclusive, fully funded Chinese scholarships tailored for Zimbabwean media professionals,” Minister Soda said.
He said this initiative provides intensive two-week short programs for rapid skills upgrading, alongside prestigious undergraduate and master’s degree placements at world-class Chinese universities.
The minister said this ensures that their practitioners gain the advanced global expertise required to elevate our local broadcasting landscape.
“Through this empowering partnership, we are bridging the digital divide, fulfilling our constitutional mandates, and executing our NDS2 objectives. Let us use this august forum to amplify our voices, digitalize our systems, and tell the true, vibrant stories of China-Africa progress,” Minister Soda said.
Minister Soda’s delegation includes Ministry of Information Chief Director Dr Jonathan Gandari, Zimpapers CEO, Mr William Chikoto and ZBC CEO Mr Sugar Chagonda.
