BULAWAYO – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) for its enduring role as the voice of the nation, emphasising the broadcaster’s importance in projecting Zimbabwe’s national vision, celebrating development milestones, and providing a platform for public dialogue.
The remarks were delivered on the President’s behalf by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Dr Jenfan Muswere, during the official commissioning of the newly modernised television and radio studios at Montrose Studios in Bulawayo on Friday. The ceremony was attended by representatives from government, the media, business, and civic sectors, highlighting the project’s significance for national development.
Speaking during the event, President Mnangagwa highlighted ZBC’s central role in facilitating key national conversations and supporting development across all sectors of the economy. He noted that modernising the broadcaster aligns with the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for growth, competitiveness, and innovation in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
“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,” President Mnangagwa said. “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.”
The President underscored that the modernisation of Montrose Studios goes beyond merely upgrading infrastructure, stressing that enhancing broadcasting capacity contributes to national identity, cultural preservation, and citizen 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 said.
The upgrades come at a pivotal moment as Zimbabwe begins rolling out the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which aims to accelerate economic growth and development. A well-equipped and agile media sector, President Mnangagwa noted, is essential to achieving the objectives outlined in the strategy and to ensuring that citizens are well-informed about national priorities.
Mnangagwa applauds ZBC’s contribution to national discourse during studio commissioning
Minister Muswere highlighted the importance of the ZBC recapitalisation project as a milestone in Zimbabwe’s long-term developmental goals, including the country’s Vision 2030 blueprint. “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,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also emphasised the need for the public broadcaster to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing digital era. He said ZBC’s responsibilities go beyond traditional broadcasting, including the delivery of timely, accurate, and relevant information, protection of culture and heritage, and countering misinformation and disinformation that could distort Zimbabwe’s narrative.
“In this ever-evolving digital era, the responsibility of our public broadcaster is multifaceted and broad in scope,” the President said. “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.”
The modernised facilities are expected to significantly improve production quality, expand programming diversity, and strengthen the broadcaster’s ability to reach communities across Zimbabwe. The upgraded infrastructure will also facilitate skills development for media professionals, providing opportunities for training in the latest broadcasting technologies and practices.
ZBC has been steadily implementing a broader modernisation plan aimed at aligning its operations with global broadcasting standards. This includes digital upgrades, improved content production, and enhanced transmission capabilities. Government officials have emphasised that a strong, modern, and credible public broadcaster is crucial not only for informing citizens but also for promoting national cohesion, supporting economic growth, and ensuring Zimbabwe’s story is told accurately on the international stage.
As the country moves forward with the implementation of NDS2, President Mnangagwa reiterated that modern, professional, and well-resourced media institutions like ZBC are indispensable in fostering informed citizenry, facilitating dialogue, and driving national development. The Montrose Studios modernisation, he said, represents a critical step toward achieving these objectives while safeguarding Zimbabwe’s cultural and national identity.
Source- iHarare
