/ 12 March 2009

New government, new daily for Zimbabwe

As Zimbabwe’s new government gets to grips with rebuilding the country, a new newspaper, NewsDay, is readying for its first print run.

Trevor Ncube, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard newspapers said this week that the paper would appear every day except Sunday.

Ncube is also the proprietor of M&G Media, which publishes the Mail and Guardian newspaper in Southern Africa.

‘As a local investor we are encouraged by the opportunities that the global political agreement [in Zimbabwe] offers. While there have been teething problems, we believe that the new inclusive Zimbabwean government realises the importance of creating an economic environment that encourages local and international investors.”

Ncube said his company had been waiting for a environment conducive for the new newspaper and he was encouraged by the fact that the legislative framework had been improved by the three political parties late last year.

Ncube said that the company had been encouraged by the discussions that it had had with the inclusive government and the regulatory authorities.

‘We have briefed both the inclusive government and the regulatory authorities and we are confident that we will be licensed as soon as possible. We don’t foresee any obstacles at all,” he said.

Ncube said the herculean task facing the new government would be made easier by a vibrant and independent press that empowered both ordinary Zimbabweans and those in power.

‘We all need accurate information to make vital decisions and right now both the people and those in authority are poorly served.”

NewsDay, as an independent and fresh daily, will play a vital role in rebuilding our nation. We will leverage off the political agreement to be the voice of a new Zimbabwe. We will be a forum for the ideas we need to create a fresh economy and to provide a platform for debate as we grapple with the needs of our education, health and social systems. Non-partisan and independent, we hope to draw on our internal talents while providing a voice for the diaspora too.”

‘Strong and competitive nations are those that create a marketplace for ideas where ultimately the best ideas win. Right now, such a marketplace does not exist and Zimbabwe is poorer for it”, Ncube said.

The new operation is expected to create over 300 jobs in the publishing sector, with an investment of about $4-million.