Bulawayo, (New Ziana) – The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services stand at the 2026 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) has been commended for effectively capturing its full mandate and evolving role as the government communication hub.
In an interview after touring the pavilion on Wednesday, Ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said it effectively reflects the breadth of its work across multiple media platforms.
“I think the Ministry has captured what it does in an exhibition. Nicely done. The Ministry superintends over a few sub-sectors. The broadcasting sector is represented here, including its sub sectors such as commercial and community broadcasting and newspapers,” he said, adding that the exhibition also highlights the print and digital dimensions of the Ministry’s operations.
“They have captured the newspaper side, the printing side, the electronic side as well. In fact, they have just captured the whole ecosystem,” he said.
Mangwana noted that the display also aligns the work of the Ministry with national development priorities under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), positioning it as a key player in shaping and communicating government policy.
He also highlighted the role of the Ministry in facilitating public dialogue on national issues, including the ongoing debate around the Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill.
“That is one of the biggest things the Ministry has done. Our mandate is to facilitate two-way communication between government and its publics. Here you have a platform for conversation, people who oppose and those who support the Bill are all accommodated,” he said.
Mangwana dismissed claims that dissenting voices were being sidelined, citing the inclusion of legal experts Lovemore Madhuku in discussions hosted at the Ministry pavilion earlier that day.
“There were rumours that Professor Madhuku had been assaulted for supporting the amendment. This is proof that it is not true. He has been invited to speak on the Ministry’s platform. If we wanted to shut him out, we would not have invited him. Instead, we are facilitating dialogue between him and the Minister responsible for government business in Parliament, who leads the legislative process,” he explained.
He said the presence of the Ministry at the ZITF underscores its commitment to openness and engagement, describing the exhibition as a practical demonstration of its core mandate.
“The Ministry has shown what it stands for, two-way communication between government and its various publics,” he said.
Botswana President Duma Boko will on Thursday officially open the ZITF, highlighting the importance of the event as a key regional platform for trade, investment, and industrial growth.
New Ziana
