Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ZIMBABWEANS using South African-registered DStv accounts are being urged to switch to local subscriptions as MultiChoice Zimbabwe intensifies its crackdown on signal piracy through a new campaign titled “DStv ZIMnandi.”
The pay-tv provider has cautioned that accessing DStv via South African accounts while residing in Zimbabwe constitutes piracy — a breach of international copyright law — and may result in prosecution.
This practice not only undermines Zimbabwe’s creative economy but also deprives artists, broadcasters, and the national treasury of essential revenue.
Launched in Bulawayo last week through a series of mobile activations, the ZIMnandi campaign forms part of MultiChoice’s broader efforts to combat piracy, promote local content, and encourage Zimbabweans to support home-grown entertainment platforms.
The initiative is driven by the slogan: “Keep it simple, keep it legal. DStv ZIMnandi,” which urges viewers to migrate from foreign accounts to Zimbabwean ones — a move that comes with several benefits, according to MultiChoice Zimbabwe General Manager, Siyabulela Jemsana.
“ZIMnandi is a through-the-line mass media campaign designed to raise awareness and highlight the advantages of subscribing locally. Our call to action is simple: switch to DStv Zimbabwe, because local is better,” said Jemsana, in a speech delivered on his behalf by MultiChoice Zimbabwe Head of Marketing, Brightwell Manyerenyere.
“DStv’s strength lies in its local partnerships. By subscribing locally, customers are not only complying with the law — they are investing in Zimbabwe’s creative future.”
Jemsana outlined key incentives for customers who make the switch, including the removal of the R50 reconnection fee, access to multiple convenient payment options such as EcoCash USD and Mukuru Wallet, and online payments via Visa and MasterCard. Local subscribers can also pay through over 350 booths nationwide, eight partner banks, and a growing network of accredited agents.
The decision to launch ZIMnandi in Bulawayo was intentional, Jemsana added, reflecting MultiChoice’s confidence in the region’s growth potential and its commitment to investing in Matabeleland.
“As a customer-centric business, we chose Bulawayo to kick-start this campaign because of the city’s significance and the opportunities it presents,” he said.
The campaign follows a series of major engagements in the city, including the high-profile screening of Shaka iLembe Season 2 on Mzansi Magic, where MultiChoice pledged to strengthen its presence in Matabeleland. The company is also expanding its local partnerships with broadcasters such as ZBCtv, 3Ktv, ZTN Prime and NRTV, while nurturing creative talent through initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory in Lusaka, Zambia.
Globally, piracy is estimated to cost US$71 billion annually, with its impact felt locally.
“Piracy erodes the creative industry, silences Zimbabwean storytellers, and weakens the national economy. It threatens jobs, undermines intellectual property rights, and deprives the state of tax revenue,” Jemsana warned.
To address this, MultiChoice Zimbabwe is collaborating with the (NACZ) on public education initiatives focused on piracy and intellectual property rights.
Despite ongoing challenges, including competition from free-to-air platforms, MultiChoice Zimbabwe continues to grow —reporting a 32 percent increase in business last year and targeting a further 20 percent growth this year. The company directly employs over 150 people and supports more than 170 accredited installers and 60 agents across 90 outlets nationwide.
The DStv ZIMnandi campaign is therefore more than an anti-piracy initiative — it is a call to protect the entertainment industry, sustain local content production, and ensure Zimbabwe’s rich cultural narratives continue to be told on home soil.
The message is clear: switching to a Zimbabwean account is not only legal — it is vital for the future of the nation’s creative economy.
Sidumisile Mabena