SA's Sentech poised to help ZBC beat digitalisation deadline

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and a South African signal carrier, SENTECH, are poised for a partnership that is expected to help ZBC digitalise ahead of the 2013 SADC deadline.

Representatives of the South African signal carrier company are in the country to discuss ways they can help ZBC digitalise its equipment and signals.

Head of the South African delegation, Mr. Paris Mashile, said they are in Zimbabwe to establish committees and map the way forward to help ZBC digitalise.

ZBC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Happison Muchechetere, said it is worrying that the national broadcaster is courting foreign partners yet it is a prerogative of government to fund such a project.

Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu, hailed the resuscitation of the cordial relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa saying the ties date back to the time of the fight for liberation in both countries.

The world is witnessing the transformation of communication technology from analogue to digital mode of transmission.

The International Telecommunications Union called on broadcasting companies to digitalise by 2015 and SADC has marked 2013 to be the deadline for its members to go digital.

While South Africa has made strides to meet the target, Zimbabwe is lagging behind due to lack of funds.