The ManicaPost
Ray Bande in Chimanimani
GOVERNMENT will distribute set top boxes free of charge to people in rural areas and charge a very minimal fee for urban folks upon finalisation of the digitalisation programme, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Speaking during the Zim Digital Outreach Programme at Ngangu Hall in Chimanimani on Wednesday, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Chris Mushohwe, said his office was already making plans to give people in rural areas set top boxes for free, while urban folks would acquire the same at very minimal prices.
“We are currently considering giving people in rural areas set top boxes for free, while urban folks will acquire the same at very minimal prices. This is something that is highly likely to be done and plans are there.
“Ideally, we do not expect to make money out of the sale of set top boxes, but rather the subscriptions that we then charge for viewing. However, we also expect those that get set top boxes to subscribe and use the gadget otherwise it will be recovered,” he said.
Dr Mushohwe urged the people of Chimanimani to embrace opportunities presented by the digitalisation programme to empower themselves economically.
“The digitalisation programme is meant to let our nation develop at the same pace with other members of the global family. We are also concerned with having the Zimbabwean story being told by us Zimbabweans.
“This programme presents employment opportunities, hence youths should take full advantage of it,” he said.
Government, through the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services has already started assisting prospective producers with resources to create content for the 12 television stations that will be established after the finalisation of the digitalisation programme.
Dr Mushohwe implored Zimbabweans to actively participate in the creation of media content for the envisaged 12 stations.
“The aim of this programme is to enrich Zimbabweans. This is a chance for every Zimbabwean to make money. We are saying if you have programme ideas and you lack the resources we can assist so that we have enough content to provide the 12 stations that will be created after finalisation of the digitalisation programme.
“Creation of content is not something that should give us a headache. This is something so simple because content is derived from the everyday life situations that we live. This programme is yours and you really need to embrace it and improve your lives through it,” he said.
Speaking during the same event, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation acting chief executive, Mr Patrick Mavhura, said content creation was of paramount importance given that the national broadcaster has been repeating programmes owing to shortage of content.
“Zim Digital is a national programme that is spearheading the change over from analogue to digital broadcasting. It is a Government programme that is aimed at increasing accessibility of television signal in our homes.
“At times we repeat programmes because we do not have the content. To get new programmes every minute and every second on television is difficult. This is why the issue of content creation is of paramount importance to us. In fact, in the digitalisation era, ZBC will have six stations out of the envisaged 12 and that means 12 times more content than we currently need,” he said.
Dr Mushohwe who was accompanied by his deputy, Cde Thokozile Mathuthu and permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr George Charamba, took time to tour the Gwindingi Base Station in Chimanimani where digitalisation work is at an advanced stage.
More than 200 villagers thronged Ngangu Hall to witness the outreach programme that also saw several arts entertainment groups performing.
Dr Mushohwe was set to address a similar gathering in Chipinge yesterday (Thursday) before taking the outreach programme to Chiredzi, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
