Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
CONTENT creators have been encouraged to produce development-focused content aligned with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) as they seek to benefit from the Government’s US$10 million creative industry fund.
In Masvingo Province, local content creators recently met with representatives from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation to explore opportunities at the national broadcaster and to learn more about the government creative fund aimed at supporting the growth of the creative industry.
The engagement, organised by ZANU PF Masvingo Province, saw the creatives expressing interest in producing content that promotes national values and development.
“The discussions have shown us the importance of capacitating ourselves so that our content can compete at the national level,” Content Creator Millicent Chapwanya said.
“We appreciate Government’s support for the creative industry. This engagement with ZBC and Great Zimbabwe University will empower young creatives to contribute to national development,” Content Creator Nester Munyuki said.
Representing the ZBC Director for Content and Channel Services, Manager Television Services, Mr Admire Huni said the engagement comes as the national broadcaster steps up efforts to improve its programming, with much emphasis on creativity, originality and quality.
“As the National Broadcaster, we place importance on such engagement meetings, and we are open to working with innovative, development-oriented content creators as we reposition and improve our programming,” he said.
Content creators were also urged to tap into ZBC’s collaboration with the Great Zimbabwe University for skills development.
“Creators must capacitate themselves through training and research to produce development-focused content,” Director GZU Campus Radio Dr Golden Maunganidze said.
“We expect content creators to produce content that supports Government programmes and aligns with NDS2,” ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Masvingo Province Cde Pepukai Chiwewe said.
Plans are underway to establish content creation hubs across the country to strengthen local content production.
