Zimpapers Want Integrated Media House

Zimpapers Chief Executive Justin Mutasa discusses plans to integrate various state media outlets in the Southern African nation. Currently Zimpapers has streamlined production., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

We want to be an integrated media house: Zimpapers

Saturday, 22 October 2011 00:00
Herald Reporter

Zimpapers group chief executive Mr Justin Mutasa yesterday said once granted a radio licence, the company wants to establish an integrated media house.

Speaking at a vendor's prize giving ceremony held at Herald House yesterday, Mr Mutasa said: "We are anxiously waiting following submissions that were done on Thursday.

"It is logical that a big media house like Zimpapers owns a radio station.

"We want to become an integrated media organisation just like in neighbouring countries like South Africa and Kenya."

He dismissed attacks by media houses that are criticising Zimpapers' application for a radio licence.

"All the media houses that are making noise on this issue, it is expected of them because they are very small and know what it means to be an integrated media organisation.

"They cannot compete with a big organisation like ours," he said.

"If they also want to own a radio station, why don't they make their own submissions?"

Addressing the vendors, Mr Mutasa said Zimpapers has had the best selling newspapers over the years and will tenaciously hold on to its market share.

"We shall keep on rewarding vendors on their performance in order to motivate our staff to keep on boosting our newspaper sales," he said.

Dial-A-Phone-Retailers of Mobile Technology donated mobile phones.

One of the company's directors, a former Zimpapers worker, Mr Dalubuhle Sibanda said they will continue to work with Zimpapers to reward vendors.

Said Mr Sibanda: "On the next vendors prize giving ceremony we are going to donate smart phones so that Zimpapers vendors keep abreast with technology."

Evelyn Majonga won the best street vendor prize and took home US$300 and a cellphone.

The second and third prizes went to Godfrey Kangoma and Elias Choga who won US$200 and US$100 respectively.

The best area office vendor was Magadaline Moto who won US$75. The runners up were Tobias Mukwara and Shine Chitongo.

Best seller of Kwayedza was Kevin Makiwa who pocketed US$50 plus a cellphone while Antony Laimon scooped the best seller of Southern Times.

In the newspaper display skills category Newton Bamu and Elinnah Mhaka won US$50 each.