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Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe continues to witness accumulating diplomatic credits due to the Second-Republic’s governance transformation.
This was said by the Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr. Jenfan Muswere in Swakopmund where
Zimbabwe is participating at the 8th edition of the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (Saba) Broadcast and Digital
Media Convention Africa 2024. The conference was officially opened by the Vice President of Namibia Netumbo Nandi-
Ndaitwah.
While addressing scores of media practitioners in Namibia the Government Spokesperson outlined the dividends of the
engagement and re-engagement policy.
“The recent assumption of Zimbabwe’s chairmanship expresses our bona fide commitment to strengthening the unity of our
region which is anchored of the freedom of the media. Riding on the global statesmanship demonstrated through the hosting of
the last SADC summit, I am more than optimist of our capacity to host the next edition of this conference”, said Dr Muswere.
The bid proposal is also motivated by several international platforms which Zimbabwe has hosted such as the Transform Africa
Summit in 2023.
Minister Jenfan Muswere led a delegation of media executives, Zimbabwe’s envoy to Namibia Ambassador Melody Chaurura
and Directors in the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services.
During this conference, Dr Muswere further emphasised that the continued infrastructure development in Zimbabwe
strengthens the nation’s resolve to host other various international conferences.
“The visionary direction of our President continues to enhance our effective contribution to pro-development dialogue and I
believe this platform provides credible ground for the sharing the great economic opportunities found across our continent.
Therefore, given our SADC Chairmanship hosting this conference gestures the level of passion we have in promoting increased
media liberties across SADC and the entire African continent.
The media fraternity was also encouraged to use research to expand the influence of the sector to initiate homegrown models
for increased information access.
“Africa should also take a lead in developing homegrown hardware and software. This is because media sovereignty is key as we
have both the historical and moral obligation to ensure that stories about Africa emanate from a point of truth and that we are
in control of the narratives about our homeland”. The media was also urged to deploy resilience mechanisms to topple the
growing impact of fake news, misinformation and disinformation. “Therefore, SABA must discursively militate against all
attempts to disfigure the integrity of our Governments by ensuring that media practitioners from Africa curate and protect the
African narrative on all aspects at all costs”.
Dr Muswere also commended the Second Republic for its milestones in delivering information access. “In Zimbabwe under the
leadership of President Mnangagwa a number of unparalleled initiatives have been put in place to ensure that we have
ubiquitous connectivity, proliferation of community radio station and new television players”.
The Minister also spoke on the importance artificial intelligence as a topical subject of our time in shaping the future of
traditional media. “We have reached a point of convergence between ICT and broadcast. Consequently, the phone has replaced
the cameraman, the watch. Financial inclusivity is resulting in mobile banking and relegating old transaction methods obsolete.
Again, to recalibrate the African renaissance project we must embrace changes in technology so that we correctly locate and
preserve our space in determining the future we want for Africa.
In embracing the modern digital sophistication to tell our stories, we must guard against the perils of cyber imperialism”. Dr
Muswere further challenged the media to embrace changes in technology so that the African continent competitively tells its
story for the promotion of development and preservation of peace.
Online Reporter