Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu in BEIJING, China
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Zhemu Soda said exchange programmes are crucial for image building and branding noting that such platforms provide an opportunity to push the correct narrative on Zimbabwe and China.
He was speaking to China Media Group on the sidelines of a Seminar for Media Professionals for Zimbabwe organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) in Beijing, China on Sunday.
Dr Soda said more such exchanges are crucial in reshaping the narrative and giving the correct perspectives of the two nations.
“I think lets continue with these exchanges and trajectory where we are sharing these stories about who we are that at the end of the day, out of that interest the narrative can always change.
“Many times narratives are created when you don’t know, or probably you are depending on secondary information.
So these exchanges gives us an opportunity to change the narrative,” said Dr Soda.
He said Zimbabwe is keen on hosting similar engagements in the country.
“We will also ensure that in future we have similar groups also coming to Zimbabwe and we show them one of the world’s natural wonders, the Victoria Falls. It’s not only Victoria Falls we have got a number of places of interest to tell you about our history,” said Dr Soda.
He added that at the end of such interactions, the narratives change because of the knowledge gained.
“I think that changes the narrative, at the end of the day because when you get to know someone that’s when you are able to tell a story about him or her being driven or anchored by the knowledge that you have obtained,” said Dr Soda.
The Seminar for Media Professionals of Zimbabwe organised by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) which is directly under the Ministry of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China.
The Minister, Dr Soda is leading the delegation from Zimbabwe.
So far the Seminar has introduced Media Practitioners to China and its global outlook, they have visited the Communist Party of China Museum, the sprawling Great Wall of China, hosted by the China Association of Trade and Services (CATIS) and a tour of the JCHX complex.
