Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
Zimpapers Group, the country’s largest diversified and integrated media company, is set to partner with Mary Mount Teachers College in the production, printing, distribution and marketing of books as the two entities seek to give impetus to the Government’s heritage-based education.
The books will cover those used in Early Child Development up to University Level, a development that is expected to revive the reading culture, which has faded over the past years.
Zimpapers’ senior management team, led by the Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr William Chikoto, met in Harare with a high-level team from Marymount Teachers College, led by its principal, Mr Martin Mukwazhe, to discuss the project.
The two entities discussed how they could leverage their institutional capabilities to produce and distribute books for the development of the education sector in the country and the region.
In an interview soon after their meeting, Mr Mukwazhe said they envisage producing high-quality books that will affirm the country’s high literacy.
“The project will be in the form of the production of books, we distribute them to schools and also to the different areas of the country. And also, eventually, we’ll be able to export some of these books in the SADC region, Africa and even beyond, because the books are going to be of high quality,” said Mr Mukwazhe.
“Two giants are going to combine forces. Zimpapers, a giant in publishing, editorial and distribution of material. Then, Marymount is a giant in academic expertise in terms of providing authors and creating content for various academic levels. Something good is going to come out of this deal between these two giants.”
He said the production of books will go a long way in reviving the country’s reading culture.
“At Marymount Teachers College, we are engaging in research, and one of the research findings is that the reading culture is dying. We believe that through this joint venture, we will be able to promote the reading culture.
“We are not only thinking about making money. No, we are also thinking about how we can make a contribution to the education sector, to improve the quality of education in our country. You cannot talk of the quality of education if you don’t have quality books,” he said.
Mr Chikoto said Zimpapers will use its technical expertise and distribution network in the production and marketing of the books.
“We are going to be providing the expertise in writing and editing the books. We are coming in with the history of publishing, with the printing press. We also have a distribution network across the country. We have already set up bookshops,” said Mr Chikoto.
“One of them is here, with another one in Mutare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Chinhoyi and other cities where these books will be published and distributed. We also have a media platform to market the books.
“Once a book is published, it will be on our radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers throughout the country, so that people know about the high-quality material. So this is an excellent partnership. We have the expertise in academia, publishing and printing.”
Mr Chikoto said they will also work on efforts to cultivate a reading culture.
“One of the reasons we set up bookstores is to promote reading among Zimbabweans. We will be inviting the authors to come and speak about their books. We will have schools coming to meet the authors face-to-face.
“People are not reading because they cannot connect with some of the material. But when it is written locally, with local examples, I’m sure they will start reading,” said Mr Chikoto.
