SABC to open bureau in Zimbabwe

The broadcaster says its intention in making this effort is to tell what it considers to be the 'true Zimbabwean story'.

SABC Managing Director Snuki Zikalala met Zimbabwean Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu on Wednesday to discuss the establishment of the office.

Zikalala was accompanied by Supa Mandiwanzira, the chief executive of Mighty Movies, which currently represents SABC in Zimbabwe.

Zikalala said the SABC wanted to have a physical presence in Zimbabwe to enable it to report the true story of Zimbabwe.

“It is a very important story. It’s a story that is unfolding and there are a lot of good stories in Zimbabwe that need coverage.”

The SABC MD said the setting up and operation of the office was planned for April next year.

He said apart from seeking to position themselves to fully cover next year’s elections, they had also felt it was improper for the South African broadcaster not to be physically present in Zimbabwe when other foreign media such as Al Jazeera were operating from there.

SABC has offices in other African countries including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Kenya.

Zikalala said the SABC was planning to bring in more journalists to cover next year’s presidential and general elections, adding that they had discussed the accreditation of the journalists with the minister during the meeting.

“We brought 54 South African journalists to cover the last elections and we are likely to bring the same number to cover next year’s elections,” he said.

Minister Ndlovu welcomed the proposal by SABC. “It’s a good idea and, as government, it shows us that we are not operating in isolation,” he said.

He said the more the story of Zimbabwe was told nationally, regionally and internationally, the better for Zimbabwe.

Minister Ndlovu said the presence of SABC in Zimbabwe would also help strengthen the two countries’ communication linkages.

Source: BuaNews