Montrose Studios upgrade in advanced stage

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services has said Zimbabwe is on the verge of achieving universal television and radio coverage due to the ongoing digitalisation programme.

The MPs, who were accompanied by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Thokozile Mathuthu and senior officials from the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) and Trans Media, yesterday toured the ZBC Montrose Studios to assess progress made on the revamping of studios as part of the ongoing digitalisation programme.

Committee chairperson William Dewa expressed satisfaction with progress made so far in terms of infrastructure renovations and new programming systems.

"I'm impressed with the progress we just saw here. It makes me happy that the country will soon achieve universal television and radio coverage. The ground work that's going on here is remarkable," said Dewa.

Committee member James Maridadi said he was impressed with developments at Montrose studios.

"The level of facelift is amazing. The last time I came here this place was run down and dilapidated but the structural renovations have changed everything.

"What I'm particularly happy about is that the improvements that are being undertaken on the studios, other buildings and the purchasing of the vehicles are being done from internal resources. I think this is the way parastatals must go. They mustn't continue to be a burden on the fiscus but be self-sustainable," said Maridadi.

Another committee member Madodana Sibanda said some parts of Matabeleland South, which had no access to local channels will soon be covered.

"Areas such as Shape, Matshetsheni, Mangwe, Kezi, Mzimuni and some parts of Beitbridge are still watching radio and television programmes from Botswana and South Africa. I'm happy that they'll now enjoy local programmes like everybody else," said Sibanda.