16 April 2007
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) plans to set up a bureau in Harare by April 2008 to improve its coverage of events in Zimbabwe.
The decision followed a meeting between SABC managing director Snuki Zikalala and Zimbabwean Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu last Wednesday.
"We felt that it is important to have a presence here so that we cover the true Zimbabwean story," Zikalala said.
He added that apart from positioning themselves for next year's elections in Zimbabwe, they had also felt it was improper for the South African broadcaster not to be physically present in Zimbabwe when other foreign media such as Al Jazeera were operating from there.
The SABC already has offices in several other African countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Kenya.
Zikalala said the SABC was planning to bring in more journalists to cover next year's presidential and general elections, adding that he had discussed the accreditation of the journalists with Ndlovu during the meeting.
"We brought 54 South African journalists to cover the last elections and we are likely to bring the same number to cover next year's elections," he said.
Ndlovu welcomed the SABC's proposal, saying the development would better publicise developments in Zimbabwe, and also contribute to improve communication between the two countries.
"It's a good idea and as government it shows us that we are not operating in isolation," he said.
Source: BuaNews
