Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
THE recapitalisation of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) is poised to revolutionise the media landscape, bolstering its role in shaping national identity and promoting local culture, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said during the commissioning of 25 vehicles and equipment for radio and television transmission yesterday.
Equipment worth US$2 million was sourced through the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, with an additional donation of US$100,000 from a private donor and a further US$86,000 sourced through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
“This recapitalisation effort is part of the Government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to ensure that ZBC takes its rightful place in building national consciousness, considering heritage-based broadcasting, which includes our values as a people, our ethics, and most importantly, the role, responsibility, and mandate of ZBC as an institution,” he said.
He said that his Ministry had been tasked with ensuring that ZBC implements a turnaround strategy to catapult the institution to profitability. This would be achieved through interventions such as a debt restructuring programme and increased revenue generation through advertising, among other initiatives.
As directed by President Mnangagwa, Dr Muswere said the recapitalisation of strategic institutions such as ZBC was vital for the macroeconomic growth of the country.
Dr Muswere highlighted the crucial role of human resources in ZBC’s turnaround, emphasising the need for a strong work ethic, honesty, and a collective effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
“The turnaround strategy should include the importance of human resources management and organisational development. We need to bring back a culture of hard work, honesty, unity, and selflessness, and eliminate the culture of greed, cannibalisation, and destruction. It is the responsibility of every employee of the corporation to work together to achieve cost containment measures,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of diversifying revenue streams and reducing reliance on government funding.
“You cannot be running around with begging bowls everywhere. The Treasury has its own responsibilities. The purpose of the Treasury is not to allow people to mismanage their institutions. I believe with the expertise we have, a diversified board of directors, knowledge and experience, a good executive, and the collective responsibility of the workers’ committee, as part of an integral ecosystem, we should be able to turn around this institution,” he said.
He stated that the vehicles should all be channelled towards improved content creation and revenue collection.
Acting ZBC board chairperson Advocate Lewis Uriri said the equipment would significantly enhance the operations, mobility, and technical capabilities of the broadcaster.
“The addition of these motor vehicles will significantly improve our mobility, enabling us to manage our demanding travel schedules and meet the daily operational requirements of our broadcasting mandate. Likewise, the broadcasting equipment will elevate our technical capabilities, ensuring that ZBC continues to deliver quality content that informs, educates, and entertains the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Advocate Uriri said the donations were not just investments in equipment and vehicles but in the nation’s ability to stay informed, inspired, and connected.
“We must be the first and most reliable source of accurate, factual, and verifiable reportage and content in a context where the single most potent threat to our unitary statehood and national security is disinformation,” he said.
Online Reporter