dyton mupawaenda
Tafara Chibanda
ZIMPAPERS has embarked on a significant digital transformation, marking a new era for the country’s market leader in publishing, broadcasting and printing.
The major transition will see the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange listed company move from being a traditionally print media company to a fully-fledged digital firm.
This will see the company unveiling a modern AI-powered digital newsroom, which will be one of the latest on the continent, while Typocrafters have launched a book and coffee shop. The transformation process aims to create a converged newsroom where all media formats print, television, radio, and online will be integrated under one roof.
This change is driven by the need to adapt to modern media consumption habits and stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.
This will be the biggest shift ever made at Zimpapers since the company was established in 1891.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, visited Zimpapers yesterday to officially launch the digital transformation process and open the company’s new coffee and bookshop, a symbol of the evolving workplace.
Deputy Minister Dr Omphile Marupi, Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana and Zimpapers board members also attended the launch ceremony.
“Our presence here today is to underline the importance of digital transformation for Zimpapers and for the generality of institutions,” he said in his keynote address.
“The digital transformation of Zimpapers is key. It is vital to our community and our society,” he said.
“The core business of Zimpapers, when it was created, focused on the development of news and content that was shared across the country.
“As we embark on this digital revolution, we must shift our focus to the online space, where the market is moving.
“We cannot afford to perish foolishly, this journey towards digital transformation is not just a step, it’s a ground-breaking initiative to ensure the survival of Zimpapers.”
Minister Muswere said digital transformation was not just about technology but also about changing the attitudes and behaviour of the leaders and the employees.
“To ensure that Zimpapers survives and thrives, we need to embrace the ‘Kaizen’ method, the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement.
“This will not only foster growth but also ensure that we adapt to the future of media.”
The digital transformation will also involve significant investments in infrastructure, including a focus on developing content for online platforms.
Zimpapers intends to leverage AI in its content production, aligning with Zimbabwe’s national ICT policy to foster technological innovation across all sectors.
“With a total population of around eight million telecommunications subscribers, we must adopt digital solutions to meet the needs of our audience,” he said.
He also urged the staff to preserve Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage by continuing to promote local languages through their digital platforms.
“Zimpapers must serve as a certifier of truth, generating news content based on evidence and our heritage,” he said.
Online Reporter