Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Business Hub
NETONE Head of Public Relations Dr Richard Mahomva has described journalists as a critical pillar in projecting Zimbabwe’s true narrative to the world and a key driver in attracting both local and foreign investment.
Addressing media practitioners in Bulawayo today, Dr Mahomva said journalists play a strategic role beyond conventional reporting, as they are central to delivering the national development agenda through modern digital platforms.
“We decided to talk to you as the media because you are not journalists in the generic or ordinary human capital sense, but you are the vehicles of delivering the national agenda to people’s phones,” he said.
Dr Mahomva noted that the creative abilities of journalists are vital in shaping how national development priorities are communicated to both local audiences and the international community.
“Your creativity is the nerve centre of driving the national agenda right onto the wireless. Your creativity is the bloodline that gets the national agenda onto people’s laptops,” he said.
Dr Mahomva said NetOne believes collaboration between the company’s technical expertise and the creative talent found in Bulawayo can effectively articulate the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“We believe that if we combine our technical frame of thinking as NetOne with the inherent, God-given creativity that is housed in this city, we can articulate the issue of NDS2,” said Dr Mahomva.
He added that a positive, accurate and balanced portrayal of Zimbabwe is essential in repositioning the country on the global stage.
“We can re-project a Zimbabwe that is prospering. We can re-project a narrative of a Zimbabwe that is peace-loving, that respects human rights and that is an investment magnet,” he said.
Dr Mahomva said such a narrative would directly contribute to increased investment inflows and enhance Zimbabwe’s standing in global economic indices.
“The moment we do that, we attract people, we attract direct investment. And the moment we do that, we begin to enhance our relevance in terms of global economic indices,” he said.
He stressed that achieving this vision requires close collaboration between NetOne and journalists, as well as other creative professionals.
“This is only possible if NetOne submits itself to you, the creatives,” said Dr Mahomva.
