Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has commended the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) for continuing to serve as the voice of the nation, saying the broadcaster plays a central role in projecting the national vision, celebrating developmental achievements and facilitating public dialogue.
The remarks were delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, during the commissioning of the newly modernised television and radio studios at Montrose Studios in Bulawayo on Friday.
Representatives from government, media, business and civic sectors attended the ceremony, where President Mnangagwa highlighted the broadcaster’s role in fostering key national conversations.
“This project is another testament to my government’s commitment to leveraging technological innovation to propel growth and impact across all sectors of our economy. This thrust has become an urgent imperative given the fast-changing global landscape and the need to enhance our country’s competitiveness in every area. In this respect, the role of media, information and broadcasting remains central to Zimbabwe’s development journey. To date, I am pleased that ZBC continues to serve as the voice of our nation, highlighting our vision for the future, celebrating our triumphs, and providing a platform for national dialogue,” he said.
The President stressed that the modernisation of Montrose Studios goes beyond equipment upgrades, noting that enhanced broadcasting capacity reinforces national identity and empowerment.
“The modernisation we are witnessing today is therefore not just about infrastructure and equipment. It is also about the preservation of our national identity and empowerment,” he noted.
The upgrade of the Bulawayo studios comes as the nation rolls out the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), a period that requires an agile and well-equipped media sector.
“To this end, it is most opportune that the ongoing modernisation of our public broadcaster is taking place as we begin the roll-out of the National Development Strategy 2. The recapitalisation of ZBC as a public broadcaster is an important milestone towards the realisation of Vision 2030,” said the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Jenfan Muswere.
In an era defined by rapid digital transformation, President Mnangagwa underscored the need for the public broadcaster to deliver timely, accurate and relevant information.
“In this ever-evolving digital era, the responsibility of our public broadcaster is multifaceted and broad in scope. It must ensure timely, accurate and relevant information, safeguard our culture and heritage, and stand as a barricade against misinformation, disinformation and external narratives that do not reflect the true Zimbabwean story. Today, I am therefore pleased to commission two brand-new state-of-the-art television studios, eight modern radio stations and a fully integrated playout centre,” he added.
ZBC continues to upgrade its infrastructure and programming capacity as part of a broader modernisation plan to meet global broadcasting standards.
