Zimbabwe's national broadcaster must use increased revenue from radio license fees to improve programming rather than fund management perks, Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana said during a strategic planning workshop in Vumba. The fees, which brought in $92 annually per vehicle as of May 2025, have given the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation more financial resources than it has seen in years.
Mangwana emphasized that the funding should help ZBC reclaim its position as the primary news source and combat misinformation. The ministry has faced significant public criticism over the license fees and pressure to reduce costs under ease-of-doing-business initiatives, but officials have refused because they believe the broadcaster needs adequate funding. He stressed that ZBC must pay local content creators fairly, noting that past failures to compensate producers properly damaged the industry. The broadcaster had previously engaged in barter arrangements that left creators unable to meet basic expenses.
The permanent secretary demanded full accountability for every dollar collected, noting that revenue must be shared with partners like Transmedia and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. He called on ZBC Chief Executive Sugar Chagonda to streamline the organization and eliminate wasteful practices that have given the broadcaster a reputation as a money pit.
Mangwana emphasized that the funding should help ZBC reclaim its position as the primary news source and combat misinformation. The ministry has faced significant public criticism over the license fees and pressure to reduce costs under ease-of-doing-business initiatives, but officials have refused because they believe the broadcaster needs adequate funding. He stressed that ZBC must pay local content creators fairly, noting that past failures to compensate producers properly damaged the industry. The broadcaster had previously engaged in barter arrangements that left creators unable to meet basic expenses.
The permanent secretary demanded full accountability for every dollar collected, noting that revenue must be shared with partners like Transmedia and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. He called on ZBC Chief Executive Sugar Chagonda to streamline the organization and eliminate wasteful practices that have given the broadcaster a reputation as a money pit.
