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Speaking at the company’s three-day strategic planning workshop in Nyanga yesterday, Cde Charamba said gone were the days when the media was the only source of information, as everyone was now in a position to tell the world his story without the editor’s goodwill.
“Everyone is now generating content and circulating it the world over and that is the new world we are now living in. There is no need for the editor’s goodwill to have your content published. Ideas can circulate without the institutional mediation of editors and you should find ways of moving with the changing times.
“The world has since moved from a time where the media was just about publishing information. Newspapers are now selling perspectives and not information only. We do not want your newspapers to be publishers of raw materials only, but perspectives which will appeal to a wider readership,” he said.
Cde Charamba said Zimpapers should also seriously consider venturing into the electronic media as opportunities were there in that industry.
He also called on all newspaper departments to complement each other, citing the advertising department, which he said was not adequately playing its complementary role.
“The country has adopted a Look East Policy, which has resulted in a number of Chinese companies setting up businesses in Zimbabwe, but we are seeing very little advertising of their businesses in our media. We should come up with new marketing strategy to tap on this growing business.
“You have a very strong sports section, but we are not seeing adverts complementing that. Is it a matter or lack of resources or not? Personnel should be equipped with all the necessary skills for them to deliver. People should drive themselves towards the job and not from it,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zimpapers board chairman, Dr Paul Chimedza, said the workshop was expected to come up with strategies that would see the company becoming profitable.
“In my opening remarks last year in Kariba I said as we go forward our singular objective is to turn Zimpapers into a profitable company. Let’s not have too many excuses on why things can’t happen. Perfect conditions will never exist in an imperfect world. The company has to be profitable now.
“Strategies on how to make this happen is what we expect you to come up with in this workshop,” he said.
Dr Chimedza said it was pleasing to note that the company had moved from a loss making position in 2009 to record a profit of nearly $1 million in 2010.
He said Zimpapers had managed to clear its Atex debt and committed some money to capital items like the computer to plate machine and generators for its business units.
Although the newspaper division performed so well, its commercial unit had a number of challenges, which saw BoldAds being merged into Natprint, while Typocrafters in Bulawayo was closed.
“Now that Typocrafters is gone, there is need to make sure that Natprint really becomes the anchor of our commercial printing division by operating profitably. The losses that Natprint recorded by 31 December 2010 are far from pleasing and this will not be allowed in 2011,” he said.
Dr Chimedza said there was need for everyone in the company to be clear on the performance frameworks for it to scale to dizzy heights.
“Everyone’s performance from myself as the board chairman to the shop floor sweeper should be evaluated with measurable targets and clear benchmarks. Quarterly reviews on performance should be made and clear consequences on failure to meet set targets articulated,” he said.
Dr Chimedza the company’s radio and television project should be pursued with earnest because Zimpapers should be a media house with both print and electronic products.
Zimpapers’ group chief executive, Mr Justin Mutasa, thanked the staff for managing to perform well despite having absolute equipment.
“We are now upgrading our equipment and replacing it with the latest on the market. We want to ensure great efficiency on the production system once all the necessary equipment is installed. We managed to clear all our debts and we are using our own resources to finance our operations,” he said.

Ends.