Source: Transmedia told to fast-track 2027 legacy projects – herald
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
THE Government has directed Transmedia Corporation to complete all infrastructure projects pledged for the 2027 Independence Day celebrations in Masvingo before the national event, as the signal distribution company moves to increase radio coverage to 85 percent by year-end.
In a speech read on his behalf at Transmedia’s Performance Review and Improvement Training Workshop in Harare today by Director of Media and Information Services Mr George Chisoko, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, said Cabinet was now demanding progress reports on the legacy projects.
“As a Ministry, our encouragement to Transmedia is that all the projects promised for 2027 must be completed before Independence Day 2027,” Mr Mangwana said.
“This is the message coming from all the meetings we are attending, including Cabinet meetings, where we are asked to report on progress with these projects.”
He said the President’s Office had requested legacy projects for the 2027 celebrations, and Transmedia had submitted several.
The ministry, Mr Mangwana said, expects them to be captured for inclusion in the President’s speech and to be launched in Masvingo next year.
Giving an update, Transmedia chief executive officer Engineer Adonia Mushosho said current radio coverage stands at 81, 5 percent and is set to rise to 85 percent by the end of financial year.
“We will start with radio coverage, which is the most commonly used service, especially in remote and underserved areas,” Eng Mushosho said.
He said the Montrose transmitter upgrade in Bulawayo will be completed in the next 10 days.
New transmitters there will replace old ones and release existing equipment for deployment to underserved areas such as Gokwe and the Midlands.
The next phase is Mount Darwin, where contracts have been signed and payment made.
The upgrades will extend coverage by about 80 km radius in Matabeleland and release more transmitters as gap fillers.
For the Masvingo 2027 Independence legacy projects in Rutenga, Eng Mushosho said FM transmitters will be installed for National FM and Radio Zimbabwe.
New builds are also planned for Gutu Community Radio Station and a Gutu digital television transmitter in Q1 2027, and Chikombedzi FM before the end of 2026.
On television, Eng Mushosho said five digital terrestrial television transmitters will be installed this year.
The equipment has been procured and is expected in October. Transmedia Board Chairman Engineer Lawrence Nkala said the workshop was meant to “capacitate the business to take performance to another level.”
“This workshop is not about pointing fingers or dwelling on shortcomings. Instead, it is about reflection, improvement, collaboration and innovation,” Eng Nkala said.
“By the end of this workshop, I expect us to emerge with a renewed sense of purpose, actionable strategies, and a stronger alignment between governance and execution.”
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