Minister Mushohwe on ZBC Montrose studios upgrade

INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Christopher Mushohwe has commended the progress of refurbishment work being done by local contractors at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Montrose Studios in Bulawayo as part of preparations for the digitalisation switch over.

Speaking during a tour of the studios yesterday, Minister Mushohwe said he was pleased that contractors took three weeks to complete the job when it was supposed to be done in six weeks. He was accompanied by his deputy Thokozile Mathuthu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, George Charamba and senior officials from Broadcasting Association of Zimbabwe and ZBC.

"When I toured the studios in February there was nothing, no renovations had taken place. The contractors were given six weeks to get the job done but they have done it in three weeks. This shows that locals are dedicated and time conscious," said Mushohwe.

He said the digitalisation programme has led to the creation of employment and was an opportunity for local businesspeople to demonstrate their skills.

"The remarkable improvement at Montrose and all other construction works in every region that the Ministry is undertaking must be done by people from those areas," he said.

The $300 000 construction project, which is expected to be completed this month, is being funded and managed by BAZ and the purpose of the project is to modernise the studios, in line with the digitalisation programme.

ZBC acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Mavhura said the visit by the Minister was to review progress in preparation for installation of digital equipment. Mr Mavhura said they were happy with the progress with the television studio nearing completion and the radio studio now complete.

"Completion of the television studio will be in mid-April. Radio transmission will remain on analogue although there will be new equipment while plans are underway to broadcast Indaba (news in IsiNdebele) from Montrose and the weekend bulletins. This is to recognise what the region can do for the nation," said Mr Mavhura.

He said the changes at the national broadcaster were a recapitalisation drive which have also seen the national broadcaster acquiring new cameras that enable stories to be sent real time as well as new vehicles.

Later on during the day, Minister Mushohwe and his delegation toured the National Arts Gallery in Bulawayo and held a meeting with film producers. The tour was meant to appreciate the facilities in Bulawayo where BAZ is intending to fund equipment for film producers. Mathuthu said the meeting with film producers was an interface between policymakers and owners of the content.

"The producers are the owners of the content and policymakers facilitate that their work is respected. The only way the digitalisation programme can be successful is by bringing everyone on board including the producers of the content and to understand their desires and problems," she said.

Mathuthu said it was important for film producers to give ideas to Government so as to come with a working document that will be tabled before an artistes indaba.

Mrs Priscilla Sithole-Ncube, speaking on behalf of the film producers, said the meeting was an eye opener to them as they felt it was high time that local content be given first priority on television.

"The challenge we have been facing is that of resources and equipment. We want it to be clear on the issues of rights, contracts and royalties. The policies should be clearly stated because we face a situation where our products are filmed twice or repeated without any agreement," she said.