Scholarship Opportunities

Part-Time Welder/ Fabricator (Harare)

Part-Time Repairs/ Faults Technicians (Harare)

Part-Time Solar Systems Installation Technician (Harare)

Part-Time Bookkeeper (Harare)

Business Development Officer (Harare)

Accountant

Deputy Librarian

ICT Technician (Bulawayo)

Library Assistants x2 (Harare)

Security Guards x3 (Harare)

Digital Campaign Officer (Harare)

Risk Analyst (Harare)

Furniture Designer (Bulawayo)

3 Wheeler Van Salesman (Bulawayo)

Regional Finance And Administration Assistant x4 (Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo & Gweru)

Homebased RGN (Harare)

DHIS2 Specialist (Tsholotsho)

Database Modeller (Bubi)

Provincial ICT Intern x3 (Tsholotsho)

Systems Support Specialist (Lupane)

Systems Engineer

Economic Strengthening and Household Officer x5

No Means No Officer (Bulawayo)

District Team Leader and Clinical Services and Mentorship Officer

Education, Parenting, and In-School Officers x5

GBV, RBM, and Child Protection Officers x5

HIV Prevention and ASRH Officer

Clinical Services and Mentorship Coordinator (Bulawayo)

GBV, Child Protection and Key Populations Coordinator (Bulawayo)

Strategic Information Officer (Bulawayo)

Data Officer (Bulawayo)

HIV Prevention and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator (Bulawayo)

Branch Managers (Kadoma & Shurugwi)

Products & Research Officer

Lecturer/senior Lecturer/associate Professor/ Professor: Department Of Agribusiness And Management

Livestock Technician

Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor/ Professor: Soil Biology And Fertility

Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor/ Professor In Ndebele

Sports Director

Catering And Accommodation Manager

Internal Auditor

Chief Security Officer

Director, Information And Communication Technology

Attachees (Harare)

Assistant Shelter Coordinator (Harare)

Branch Manager (Chiredzi)

System Release Analyst x2

Bancassurance Agents

Strategic Information & Evaluation Interns x6

Medical Laboratory Scientist (Bindura)

SHE Officer (Shurugwi)

Personal Assistant to the CEO (Harare)

Trainee Parts Picker

Cook Or Chef (Harare)

Graduate Trainee: Management (Harare)

Fabricator/ Boiler Maker Class 1: Contract (Mutare)

Maintenance Fitter: Contract (Mutare )

Receptionist (Harare)

Driver: Confucius Institute

Business Intelligence Specialist (Harare)

Network Technician

Telecommunications Technician

Graduate Trainee: Software Developer

Webmaster

Principal Accountants x2

Graduate Trainees x4

Assistant Accountants x2

Staff Development Fellows: Industrial Biotechnology Department x2

Field/ Greenhouse General Hand:Industrial Sciences And Technology Department x2

Staff Development Fellows: Biotechnology Department x3

Technician: Pharmaceutical Department (Post A)

Technician: Pharmaceutical Department (Post B)

Technical Assistant: Pharmaceutical Department

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor/Professor: Chemical & Process Systems Engineering Department x5

Staff Development Fellows: Chemical & Process Systems Engineering x4

Staff Development Fellows  x3

Clerk x2

Graduate Trainees ICT x4

Student Interns ICT x4

Electrician

Farm Manager

Goat Manager

Quality Assurance Auditor

Business Development Managers x2

Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator (Harare)

Motor Vehicle Mechanics Lecturer (Bulawayo)

Systems Support Analyst

Information & Communications Advisor (Harare)

Programme Quality Learning And Accountability Advisor (PQLA)

Grant Accountant (Harare)

Finance Assistant (Harare)

2024 Intake

Graphic Designer (Harare)

Lecturer: Motor Vehicle Mechanics

Lecturer: Automobile Electrics & Electronics

Mobile Equipment Operators (TLB, Bulldozer, Front-End Loader, Excavator and Grader-Final Cutter)

Drivers: All Classes (Harare)

Stores Timber Clerk (Bulawayo)

USAID Project Management Specialist (Budget)

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed grief over the death of former cabinet minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Christopher_Mushohwe">Christopher Mushohwe</a>.
Mushohwe died on Monday morning at the age of 69 after a long illness. In his condolence message, Mnangagwa said ZANU PF has lost a key stalwart and loyal cadre. Reads the condolence message:
<blockquote>
The passing on of Dr Christopher Mushohwe early this morning after a long illness is a deep loss to our Nation, and devastating news to my Family and to me personally.
A longtime Civil Servant, and later a holder of key ministerial portfolios under the First Republic, Dr Mushohwe held very sensitive positions in Government, including serving as personal staff to our late President Robert Mugabe with whom he worked closely for many years as Director of State Residences.
Such placements called for total trust, integrity and loyalty, attributes which Dr Mushohwe exuded and glowed in abundance.
His elevation to the level of Minister of Government in charge of key ministries like Transport, and Information and Publicity, reflected not just personal growth, but the profound faith Government reposed in him.
Always showing a strong internal drive and an insatiable urge to improve himself, Dr Mushohwe used his scarce time to study through distance education until he became a holder of two doctorates.
This was an extraordinary feat for a man holding such sensitive and onerous positions.
He also was instrumental in setting up an educational programme for senior war veterans in Government, which was run from Zimbabwe House.
Later, he played a pivotal role in ensuring greater access to education for able, yet disadvantaged Zimbabweans, through the Presidential Scholarship Programme which educated thousands.
In the Party, he started from a humble role of a war collaborator in the Struggle, rising to become a Member of Parliament, and a key figure in the Party’s provincial structure of Manicaland.
Before long, he became a Member of the Central Committee, before being elevated to the Politburo where he was in charge of Economic Policy and Affairs.
The Party has lost a key stalwart and loyal cadre whose rich and perceptive contributions will be sorely missed.
On behalf of the ruling Party, ZANU PF, Government, our Nation, my Family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Mushohwe Family, especially to Mrs Mushohwe and the children, on this their saddest loss.
As they go through the painful motions of grief, may they find solace in the knowledge that our Nation shares in their pain and bereavement.
Indeed, his outstanding contribution to his country and people should assuage their grief which Zimbabwe today gives back through the great honour and respect it accords to the dear departed.
May his dear soul rest in eternal peace.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Mnangagwa Mourns Former Cabinet Minister Mushohwe

The former Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Christopher Chindoti Mushohwe has died. Mushohwe died on Monday, 13 February aged 69.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana announced Mushohwe’s death on Twitter. He said:
<blockquote>
We have lost the former minister of information Dr. Chris Mushohwe. May His Soul Rest In Peace.
</blockquote>
No further information was provided about his death.
Mushohwe was the Minister of Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment before being reassigned to the Ministry of information in 2015.
He previously held the positions of resident minister and governor of Manicaland.
Mushohwe was also a former Minister of State in the President’s Office Responsible for National Scholarships.

Former Information Minister Chris Mushohwe Has Died

The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has distanced itself from scholarship adverts circulating on social media purporting to have originated from the OPC.
In dismissing the adverts, OPC’s Dr <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Christopher_Mushohwe">Christopher Mushohwe</a> said:
<blockquote>The advert circulating on social media that requires applicants to submit their applications online to scholarshi@zanupforg.online did not originate from our offices and its content is mischievous as it is a plagiarised document from parts of our previous advertisement done in 2019</blockquote>
The OPC has however confirmed they did place adverts in the print media and also advertised their scholarships on radio and TV.
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/opc-dismisses-fake-scholarships-ads/">The Herald </a>

Scholarships Adverts Circulating On Social Media Are Fake - OPC

MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa has promised to revive Kondzozi Farm in Manicaland so that it benefits the community. He took a swipe Scholarships minister Chris Mushohwe for running down the once productive farm after taking during the land reform programme. Speaking at a rally in Marange, Chamisa said,
<blockquote>Mushohwe has reduced a once promising farm into a white elephant. As soon as are we elected into office, let’s take back Kondozi and revive it. It should develop the lives of local communities and earn the country foreign currency. We will retire Mushohwe and we will make sure he will do what he knows best and let Kondozi do its best. We want to also revive Tanganda and Cairns.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/chamisa-says-to-seize-kondozi-farm-from-minister-mushohwe/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

Kondozi Farm Should Be Taken Away From Mushohwe, He Has Failed To Run It: Chamisa

Teedzayi Muchimwe the man who defeated National Scholarships minister Christopher Mushohwe in the Zanu-PF Primary Elections has said that one needs the masses, not education to get into Parliament. Muchimwe has vowed to win the seat for Zanu-PF in the upcoming 2018 harmonised elections. Said Muchimwe,
<blockquote>
The main problem we are facing is that there are some people who believe that you need to be educated to get into Parliament. Zanu PF is a party of masses, not education. We won the independence because the masses voted and fight for it.
I am a judge in the Johanne Marange Apostolic church and I am promising people in my constituency that I am going to win the seat for Zanu PF at all costs. I am promising my people developmental projects such a poultry and gardening, rearing of cattle, among many others.</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/05/education-not-a-passport-into-parly-madzibaba/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">NewsDay</a>

You Don't Need Education To Get Into Parliament Says Minister Mushohwe's Conqueror

Minister of State Responsible for Government Scholarships in the Office of the President, Christopher Mushohwe has revealed that 8 Zimbabwean Students were arrested in Cyprus last week for armed robbery. However, the minister added the students were not on a government scholarship. He added that the government was duty bound to help the students as they were Zimbabwean nationals.
Speaking to H-Metro, Mushowe said,
<blockquote>We are concerned about the students’ plight as they are Zimbabwean citizens.
The students arrested in Northern Cyprus are not on government scholarship, they went there on a private arrangement on the backdrop that they are getting full scholarships but later realised that they had been deceived.
I spoke to the Turkish Ambassador to help us work with the Universities where those students were attending school. This can help us to locate the agents who sent them there so that they can help in finding a solution
I appeal to parents and students seeking private scholarships to verify with universities abroad if the scholarships are genuine and also to verify if they are offered on 100 percent basis…Circumstances like these could have been avoided.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://hmetro.co.zw/zim-students-arrested-in-cyprus/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">H-Metro</a>

Zim Students Arrested In Cyprus For Armed Robbery, Govt Warns Students To Verify Scholarships

Minister of State for Government Scholarships in the Office of the President and Cabinet Christopher Mushohwe has announced that Government is inviting from students willing to pursue Graduate, Post Graduate and PhD courses under the Presidential Scholarships Programme for the 2018/19 academic year. The scholarships will be offered under the Africa Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has offered scholarships to Zimbabwe under the Africa Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2018-2019. The scholarships are for Graduate, Post Graduate and PhD courses. However, they do not include Medical, Paramedical (Nursing/ Physiotherapy/Anaesthesia) and Fashion courses.</blockquote>
He said eligible applicants can register directly on <a class="vglnk" href="http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/" rel="nofollow">http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in</a> and submit the applications online. The last date of submission of the online applications is February 10, 2018.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/govt-invites-2018-19-scholarship-applications/">Herald</a>

Govt Invites 2018/19  Presidential Scholarship Applications

Minister of State for Government Scholarships in the President’s Office, Christopher Mushohwe has told students on State scholarships to stop protesting despite not receiving financial assistance in 15 months, as this taints the image of the country. His statement comes after <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2017/12/10/zim-students-on-scholarship-in-algeria-arrested-after-demonstrating-against-lack-of-financial-support/">over 300 students on Government scholarship in Algeria staged a demonstration at the Zimbabwean Embassy offices</a> demanding to be paid stipends before they were dispersed by Algerian police.
Mushohwe said that most of the students that staged protests were not covered by Government scholarships. He acknowledged that the students had not received stipends in 2 years. Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>The students out there do not seem to understand the economic situation. Instead of talking to us, they start picketing which is unfortunate and I don’t know why. That does not augur well for the image of our country. 
There are parents who appealed to Higher Education Ministry after sending their children to different countries indicating that they were no longer able to pay. The ministry I am told, was just accommodating students who would have gone on their own. These are the students who are giving us most problems so we will try and re-organise and make sure that when we send students they should be budgeted for because we do not have a budget for people who send their children without Government approval.
It is true that students in most countries who are on the scholarships from Higher Education have not had their stipends paid due to economic difficulties.
But what I have done since I took over on the 9th of October is that we have started trying to mobilise some resources to pay students in different countries. We understand Higher Education has not been paying stipends for the past two years.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/stop-protests-mushohwe/">Chronicle</a>

Govt Tells Students On State Scholarships To Stop Protesting Despite Not Receiving Financial Support As It Taints Country's Image

Zimbabwean students who are studying in Algeria on the government of Zimbabwe scholarships have been detained after staging a demonstration at the Zimbabwean Embassy. The students were protesting against the non-payment of scholarship stipends in the last 12-18 months. Some of the students had resorted to sleeping outside the embassy to highlight their plight.
However, the Algerian police crushed the demonstration arguing that the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Algeria, Mr E Mandaza was not in the country. Mandaza is reported to have gone back to Zimbabwe for his annual leave, despite knowing of the plight of the students. The Algerian police are reported to have assaulted the protesting students before taking them to a bus depot where they ordered the students to return to their places of residence or face arrest.
According to the students, they last received financial support in September 2016. Some female students are reportedly being sexually exploited in order for them to survive.
Zimbabwean students studying in Russia on government scholarships earlier on this year complained of being neglected and approached then Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Jonathan Moyo who promised to liaise with the Minister of Scholarships, Christopher Mushohwe.
More Details To Follow

Zim Students On Scholarship In Algeria Arrested After Demonstrating Against Lack of Financial Support

In a statement issued after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information Minister Christopher Mushohwe warned the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)’s staff against conniving with unlicensed grain merchants to prejudice farmers and ill-treating farmers.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>Cabinet has warned the GMB against ill-treating farmers who deliver their grain as corrective measures will be taken. GMB should receive and accept all grain delivered to its depots across the country in an open and transparent manner. It should urgently set up satellite depots at rural districts and service centres in order to cut down on transport costs and boost grain deliveries. Cabinet wishes to advise that any GMB or public officials found and or believed to be conniving or colluding with unlicensed grain merchants to prejudice farmers and the State will be dealt with resolutely in terms of the country’s laws. To this end, farmers and the public at large should expose and report all malpractices by public officials and bogus grain buyers and sellers to the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development and the Police for prompt corrective action.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/riot-act-for-gmb/">Herald</a>

Govt warns GMB employees, grain buyers

<blockquote> 
Misa-Zimbabwe is disquieted by the string of threats that have recently been issued against the use of social media by citizens.
This follows a series of threats by ministers Patrick Chinamasa, Mike Bimha and Chris Mushowe to tighten control over use of social media amid claims that this was the cause of shortages of basic commodities and bank notes in the country.
The statements pose a serious threat against the exercise of freedom of expression on the part of both the citizens and the media as provided for in Sections 61 and 62 of the Zimbabwean Constitution.
The statements are essentially a curtailment of these constitutional rights.
It is the considered view of Misa-Zimbabwe that these statements are calculated to instil self-censorship on the part of both the individual and the media to curb the free flow of information on pertinent socio-economic and political issues.</blockquote>

Threats Against Social Media Are Unlawful: Misa-Zim tells Ministers

In a statement the executive director of the Presidential and National Scholarships Programme, Christopher Mushohwe, announced that applications for the Presidential and National Scholarships Programme for the 2018 academic year are now open. Mushohwe said the scholarships are limited to those who are below the age of 25 and have a minimum 10 points at A-Level.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>The Presidential and National Scholarships Programme is inviting applications for scholarships for the 2018 academic year. The scholarships programme targets able, but disadvantaged students from different rural areas, schools in remote districts who intend on pursuing undergraduate studies at foreign universities in a number of disciplines. The disciplines being offered are engineering, health sciences, science, agriculture science, commerce and management science. Applicants must possess a minimum of 10 points in relevant A-Level subjects or chosen degree studies and emphasis will be gender balancing. All applications should be strictly directed to the Programme Executive Director, Department of the Presidential and National Scholarships (Office of the President and Cabinet), 10th Floor, Compensation Building, corner Fourth Street and Central Avenue, Harare.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/presidential-scholarship-applications-now-open/">Herald</a>

Presidential scholarship applications now open

Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Christopher Mushohwe statement praising Mbuya Maud Muzenda, the widow of the late Vice President Simon Muzenda, seemed pointed at someone else. Mbuya Muzenda died yesterday at the Avenues Clinic. She was 88.
Mushohwe said:
<blockquote>Amai Muzenda is a real mother who even under difficult times managed to stay with the family. When her husband was fighting for (the) liberation of the country, she never wavered. When former Vice President Muzenda died she maintained the dignity of a mother and we never heard complaints but she stayed in the party. She worked with her husband and sacrificed until her death. Other women should learn from her.
Other women must emulate Amai Muzenda who was soft spoken and a classical example of a real mother who treated us with respect even though she was married to a Vice President.
She did not ill-treat me not even for a single day. She remained humble and respected me even though I was a worker.
“The nation will miss her. I will personally miss her. I am deeply pained and cannot do anything as it is God’s time. She was a pillar of strength, a loving mother and grandmother. We will really miss her</blockquote>
 
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/breaking-news-amai-maud-muzenda-dies-2/">Herald</a>

Minister Mushowe's statement on the death of Mbuya Muzenda's seems pointed at someone else

Speaking to The Herald, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe said that Government did not sanction the prayer meeting held for Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday by former Zanu-PF Youth League members.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>We don’t know why of all the things they want to have a prayer session for VP Mnangagwa as if he is the first person to fall sick in this country. Whatever motive behind that we don’t know and I don’t know if those people also got clearance from the police. All what I can say is that Government is not aware of that gathering and is not part to it.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/govt-speaks-on-vp-prayer-meeting/">Herald</a>

Govt distances itself from Mnangagwa prayer meeting, says he is not the "first person to fall sick in this country"

Addressing journalists Information Minister, Christopher Mushohwe revealed that doctors who are attending to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said that they believed he ate stale food which in turn caused him to vomit. He denied that Mnangagwa ate some ice cream as has been reported by other publications.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>What the doctors think happened is that perhaps he ate some stale food which then means it is really not poison in the sense that the people are trying to allege. In fact when we spoke to him after hearing these social media rumours the Minister of Health asked him if he ate the ice cream and he denied ever eating ice cream. We do not know where this is coming from,</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/doctors-speak-on-mnangagwa/">Herald</a>

Mushohwe explains what doctors think happened to Mnangagwa in Gwanda

Addressing journalists, Information Minister Christopher Mushohwe said that Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is recovering well in South Africa where he is seeking medical treatment.
He also dismissed reports that Mnangagwa was poisoned during a Zanu-PF Youth Interface Rally held in Gwanda on Saturday 13 August. Mushohwe said government is getting daily updates on Mnangagwa’s health and is pleased with the pace of his recovery.
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/2017/08/16/vp-mnangagwa-recuperating-well-dr-mushohwe/">ZBC</a>

Mnangagwa is recovering well says Mushohwe, dismisses reports he was poisoned

Responding to a question from Harare West legislator Jessie Majome in Parliament on why Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) content seemed to favour Zanu-PF’s programmes, Information Minister Christopher Mushohwe said other political parties were welcome to seek coverage from the national broadcaster.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>I want to thank the member for that politically motivated question. ZBC is a public and national broadcaster and it is available for anybody and everyone in this country or beyond. If Zanu-PF has more programmes than other political parties that ZBC covers, it is not the problem of ZBC. Let those political parties go out there and ask ZBC to cover them and see if ZBC will refuse and let me know. If you do not have programmes and ZBC does not know that there is a programme that is taking place then invite ZBC, they do; they cover.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/minister-denies-zbc-only-covers-zanu-pf-programmes/">Chronicle</a>

Mushohwe denies ZBC only covers Zanu-PF programmes

Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Christopher Mushohwe har warned the private media that it faces collapse if it keeps being b o critical of government programmes. According to Mushowe, the private media is only surviving due to the benevolence of President Mugabe and his government.
Speaking at the official launch of AB Communications’ 98.4 Midlands FM regional station in Gweru, Mushowe said:
<blockquote>I have tried all the means to accommodate all the media houses. We are all in the media sector. I have been on record saying that media houses should play a role in building our nation
Let’s not play these political games. Don’t push me against the walls. You know private newspapers are surviving under the consideration of President Robert Mugabe. Do you know we can simply say that no Zanu PF supporters should buy your newspaper and that no (State) institution or parastatal will place an advert [in private newspapers]. You will simply collapse.
In the same vein, I would want to caution our friends in the media — both electronic and print — that while it is a right, it is not a licence to propagate hate speech and spreading unsubstantiated and malicious stories about our country</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2017/07/17/mushohwe-threatens-critical-private-media/">NewsDay</a>

We can cause private media to collapse: Minister Mushowe warns media

Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe has revealed that the government is making plans to distribute set-top boxes for free to people who live in the rural areas. This is part of the government’s digitisation programme. The minister also revealed that urban dwellers would be to get the boxes at subsidized levels.
Said Mushowe:
<blockquote>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.
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.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://manicapost.co.zw/rural-dwellers-to-get-free-tv-signal-receivers/">Manicapost</a>

Government to distribute free TV signal receivers in rural areas as part of digitisation programme

<blockquote>On 24 March 2017 the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Dr Christopher Mushohwe met with editors to ‘discuss’ the media’s reportage of political events unravelling in the country.
While the minister, as is the case with every other citizen, is entitled to his opinions pertaining to the coverage of events, he should not seek to dictate to the media on what it should and should not report on.
Among a host of other issues, the minister called on the media to stay away from politics and focus on issues of “national interest” and “developmental” stories.
He then somehow implied that the media are operating at the benevolence of President Robert Mugabe and his government, warning that they were even capable of worsening the media’s sustainability challenges by withdrawing advertisements placed in the media by parastatals.
While it is easy to interpret what he meant by national interest, a term that has over the years been abused to mean covering and seeing issues through a narrow political lens, it is his threats to employ failed tyrannical measures to cow the media that is of grave concern to MISA-Zimbabwe.
This is particularly worrying given expectations that the ministry should by now have taken the lead in pushing for the democratisation of the media space as opposed to championing media decimation.
Instead, the minister should have used the opportunity of the meeting to update the editors on progress on the envisaged media reforms as recommended in the findings of its very own sanctioned Information and Media Panel of Inquiry and not sermonise the media on how it should conduct its work.
Three years after the adoption of the constitution and subsequently two years thereafter to the launch of the IMPI report, no tangible action has been taken to review the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), Censorship and Entertainment Controls Act, Interception of Communications Act, Official Secrets Act, Posts and Telecommunications Act, among others.
These acts continue to pose serious threats to media freedom and freedom of expression.
The Constitution categorically and explicitly enjoins authorities to allow for media freedom which denotes the freedom to independently determine the editorial thrust of their publications. This includes state-controlled outlets, both print and broadcasting entities.
However, the government has continued with its stranglehold on the media. In fact, it is this penchant for control that seems to misinform the minister’s belief that the media should be propaganda outlets for the government. Far from it!
Minister Mushowe, politics is news and determines the course, direction and socio-economic development and stability of any given country and should thus be reported on.
It is the media’s watchdog role to report factually on political developments within the country as well as the goings-on in every political party, more-so where it pertains to Zanu PF as the governing party.
What is critical is for the media to ensure that such reportage is non-partisan, factual, balanced and fair.  The role of the media is to watch over the three arms of the state to foster accountability and good governance by exposing any ills or progress thereof without fear or favour.
Instead of threatening to erode the media democratic space and attributing the ills plaguing the country on the media, the minister should purposefully spearhead the wholesale review of the media legislative framework as demanded by the new constitutional dispensation.
This includes aligning the media laws with the constitution,  licensing of community radio stations; completion of digital migration; transformation of state media into independent public service news outlets. In addition, the government should secure a safe, secure and conducive environment for journalists, capacitate journalism training schools, among other media development imperatives.
The IMPI report, which the ministry adopted in 2015 and  also within easy reach of the minister, makes comprehensive recommendations on how these issues could be addressed.
MISA-Zimbabwe therefore urges the government to:</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>
<blockquote>Urgently align the media legislative framework with the Constitution. Give due consideration to recommendations of the IMPI report, as enunciated by civil society at the April 2016 Media Law Reform Indaba in undertaking the envisaged media law and policy reforms.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Refrain from using reckless and threatening remarks against the media as that has potential to trigger extra-legal violation of media freedom by political activists and other non-state actors.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Initiate a much more structured digitisation public awareness campaign to ensure citizens know what exactly is at stake including benefits of digital migration.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Genuinely liberalise the airwaves as a catalyst for establishing a vibrant local content production and arts industry.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Ensure citizen participation in the transformation of ZBC into a true public service broadcaster.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Createa safe working environment for the media and provide leadership within and outside government in raising awareness on the need to ensure the safety of journalists and media workers.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Address the sustainability challenges within the media industry by reviewing the multiple tax regimes affecting the media in order to facilitate the viability of the media industry.</blockquote>
</li>
</ul>

MISA-Zimbabwe urges government to review laws stifling media in line with constitution

Speaking during the Zim Digital outreach programme in Chipinge, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe said that Government will focus on 75% local content.
Said Mushohwe:
<blockquote>Focus will be on 75% local content and we should not waste money on foreign content when we have abundant local talent to tell our story. We need to come up with our own version of Hollywood or Nollywood. The industry has potential to create billions and as content producers you should not let this opportunity slip through your fingers. We can create thousands of jobs that are not available in the country.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/grab-opportunities-mushohwe-tells-content-producers/">Mush</a>

Govt to focus on 75% local content

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