Harare, (New Ziana)— Zimbabwe plans to install five new transmitters this year to increase national radio coverage to 85 percent and television coverage to 42 percent, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Soda Zhemu said this on Thursday after touring exhibition stands of parastatals under his ministry including New Ziana at the ongoing 116th edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.
He was accompanied on the tour by Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana and other senior Ministry officials.
Soda said the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ), Transmedia Corporation and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) are working together to ensure every Zimbabwean is connected and informed.
“We started off with BAZ, which is responsible for managing the signal, whether the signal is actually reaching the people with the correct strength,” he said, noting that BAZ has acquired modern monitoring devices.
“It is our intention to ensure that everyone in Zimbabwe is connected and they are also able to make a contribution in the development of our economy,” he said, adding the major highlight was ZBC’s new Over-the-Top (OTT) platform, *Z+*, launched last month.
The platform allows audiences to access news and programs on demand, and to stream radio stations as well as watch TV channels on mobile phones.
“Using your device that is in your pocket, you can still be connected and you can still be informed. You don’t necessarily need to be at home,” he said.
Soda said Transmedia Corporation officials had told him that equipment for five new transmitters has been acquired and installation will be completed before year end.
“They have plans to do five transmitters, this year… and people will then start to enjoy the reach of the signals,” he said.
He said the rollout will move radio coverage to 85 percent and TV coverage from 38 percent to 42 percent, adding improved coverage is critical with the impending El Nino.
“Even farmers, I think they will be able to get information on time. Even with the impending El Niño, farmers have to make decisions on time. And we want to believe that with the current architecture that is available, people will be informed to make informed decisions,” he said.
Asked about BAZ having licensed several new TV stations, most of which have since shut down, Soda said; “It’s something that we will have to understand from the players themselves. Because, as you rightly indicated, BAZ’s role and responsibility is that of licensing.”
He said the modernization of equipment by the parastatals will ensure Zimbabweans are “connected, educated, and informed on time to make good decisions.”
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the Ministry’s exhibition stand, which is showcasing its mandate and its parastatals.
It also visited the National Drugs and Substance Abuse Committee stand, the Livestock Arena and the Ministry of Health and Child Care stand.
New Ziana
