News / Regional
Donkey years after independence, Beitbridge set to get ZBC, ZTV signal
24 Jul 2011 at 05:42hrs | Views
TRANSMEDIA Corporation will next month launch broadcasting equipment in Beitbridge that will see the border town receiving local television and radio signals for the first time.
Beitbridge has been relying on DStv, SABC and eTV for information.
Transmedia chairman Dr Paul Chimedza last week said the launch of the equipment early next month would ensure that the people of Beitbridge receive broadcasts from the country's own radio and television stations.
Dr Chimedza said the programme would be rolled out to other areas such as Victoria Falls, St Albert's near Mt Darwin and Mutoko-Mudzi.
"Work is now almost complete in Victoria Falls and expected to be done by end of August as we are presently putting our final touches.
"People in the border areas have not been receiving signals. We thank the Government for the support rendered and for availing some funds to assist in this endeavour," said Dr Chimedza.
Transmedia chief executive officer Mrs Florence Sigudu-Matambo said, historically, major cities were prioritised in terms of signal reception while other areas were starved.
She said the next phase would be to ensure that the whole country is digitalised.
"The Sadc switch-over date to digitalising the television signal is 2013 and as a country we should move towards this," said Mrs Sigudu-Matambo.
"The consequences are that if we do not digitalise, our transmission will interfere with signals in neighbouring countries. This may lead to litigation," she said.
She said Transmedia required about US$15 million to digitalise its broadcasting services.
"We are appealing for funds to complete these projects. There is a lot of work as the process involves removing all the old equipment and replacing it with the new."
Other countries in the region such as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa have since completed digitalising their broadcasting networks.
Beitbridge has been relying on DStv, SABC and eTV for information.
Transmedia chairman Dr Paul Chimedza last week said the launch of the equipment early next month would ensure that the people of Beitbridge receive broadcasts from the country's own radio and television stations.
Dr Chimedza said the programme would be rolled out to other areas such as Victoria Falls, St Albert's near Mt Darwin and Mutoko-Mudzi.
"Work is now almost complete in Victoria Falls and expected to be done by end of August as we are presently putting our final touches.
"People in the border areas have not been receiving signals. We thank the Government for the support rendered and for availing some funds to assist in this endeavour," said Dr Chimedza.
Transmedia chief executive officer Mrs Florence Sigudu-Matambo said, historically, major cities were prioritised in terms of signal reception while other areas were starved.
She said the next phase would be to ensure that the whole country is digitalised.
"The Sadc switch-over date to digitalising the television signal is 2013 and as a country we should move towards this," said Mrs Sigudu-Matambo.
"The consequences are that if we do not digitalise, our transmission will interfere with signals in neighbouring countries. This may lead to litigation," she said.
She said Transmedia required about US$15 million to digitalise its broadcasting services.
"We are appealing for funds to complete these projects. There is a lot of work as the process involves removing all the old equipment and replacing it with the new."
Other countries in the region such as Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa have since completed digitalising their broadcasting networks.
Source - TH
