Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMPAPERS has rolled out Junior Media Clubs in schools across Mashonaland West Province, with more than 15 primary and secondary schools from two districts having benefited so far.
The initiative, which is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, seeks to nurture young talent and inspire learners to pursue careers in journalism and media.
So far, schools in Makonde and Sanyati districts have benefited from the programme, with launch events being held at Chinhoyi Technical High School and Jameson High School on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Zimpapers team is expected to take the programme to schools in Hurungwe District on Friday as the media house expands the initiative across the province.
More than 400 selected learners attended the two launch events, where they were introduced to various aspects of the media industry and equipped with basic journalism and broadcasting skills.
Speaking during the Makonde district launch, Chinhoyi Technical High School headmaster Mr Blazio Chigwa applauded the initiative, saying it complemented the Government’s Education 5.0 model, which promotes innovation and practical skills development.
“This initiative is important because it exposes learners to practical media skills and career opportunities within the journalism sector,” he said.
“It also aligns well with the Education 5.0 philosophy of empowering learners with hands-on knowledge.”
Zimpapers Digital and Publishing Division’s public relations and communications manager, Mrs Pauline Matanda, said the programme was aimed at inspiring the next generation of journalists and communicators.
She was accompanied by seasoned journalists and radio presenters from Platinum FM, Zimpapers Mashonaland West radio station.
“The main aim of the Zimpapers Junior Media Club is to give back to the community through equipping young people with media skills,” she said.
“We want learners to appreciate the role of the media in society while also nurturing future journalists, broadcasters, photographers and content creators.”
During the sessions, learners were trained on news writing, broadcasting, interviewing techniques and the ethics of journalism.
The launch events concluded with tree-planting sessions conducted in partnership with Friends of the Environment, an environmental conservation programme run by Nyaradzo Group, as part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability.
