adminPeople who spoke to The Herald Entertainment said the move was welcome as ZBC has no money to access quality programmes.
“It is a good move since we will continue to watch our favourite soaps only that we will be doing it legally,” said Avondale resident Tackmore Ncube.
Others who could not afford to pay for pay digital satellite television like DStv said the new channel will make ZBC more entertaining.
“Of late I only use my television set to watch movies. I think if ZBC partners SABC most people will be able to watch their favourite channels,” said one who only identified herself as Mai Taku.
The majority of the people said they were left in the cold since the free-to-air decoders had become useless.
“We are struggling to have food on the table and I can’t afford to subscribe to DStv, we had invest a lot in setting up the decoders and satellite dishes,” said one viewer.
Other people, however, felt ZBC should not rely on foreign broadcasters to entertain Zimbabweans.
“It’s a national broadcaster and its sole mandate is to educate, inform and entertain members of the public since it is run by taxpayer’s money. Roping in the South Africans means that they have failed and heads should roll at the institution,” said Kumbirai Fodya of Budiriro.
Other people said watching SABC was causing cultural decay. Gogo Mudzamiri said some of SABC’s programming encouraged immorality.
“ZBC should return to its old glory days when people could take pride in local dramas such as ‘Mukadota’, ‘Mutirowafanza’, ‘Gringo’ and ‘Parafini’ among others. This ‘Generations’ programme promotes homosexuality,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter