WINDHOEK – The board of directors of the regional The Southern Times newspaper, which is published by NamZim, a partnership between New Era Publication Corporation (NEPC) and Zimpapers of Zimbabwe, has taken a decision to publish country-specific editions of its weekly newspaper.
“We have to ensure that the news in this regional publication is relevant to the country where it is distributed,” said NEPC Board Chairperson Tarah Shaanika when updating Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joël Kaapanda, and Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Media, Information and Publicity, Supa Mandiwanzira, on the state of the regional newspaper last week.
Shaanika added that the NamZim board would like to see The Southern Times read in all countries in the region, noting that “each and every SADC citizen should have access to The Southern Times”.
According to Minister Kaapanda, NamZim is investigating options to ensure the weekly is indeed a true regional newspaper, including securing new distribution points throughout the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. “The task we have set for ourselves is to ensure the growth and success of The Southern Times. We should not disappoint our leaders who initiated this newspaper, we should make them proud,” said Kaapanda.
Furthermore, Shaanika said the regional newspaper should be delivered to all SADC countries in the most cost-effective manner. In order to do this the newspaper is now being printed in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, which the chairman explained makes delivery more efficient and cost effective, and revealed that they might also consider printing in Namibia.
“We also need to broaden our scope of contributors. We want to begin to develop a wide network of contributors in all SADC countries,” said Shaanika.
However, he called for more participation in the publication from all SADC countries, for The Southern Times not to be perceived as purely a Namibian and Zimbabwean initiative.
“We have had initial discussions with Angola, who have expressed their willingness to participate. In fact, Angola has set aside US$3 million (about N$30 million) for participation in the form of a Portuguese edition, which could be distributed to both Angola and Mozambique,” noted Shaanika.
He continued that keen interest has also been shown by Zambia and said: “We want to see Angola and Zambia brought on board as soon as possible.”
Noting that it is crucial for The Southern Times to tap into the advertising markets of South Africa and Angola, Shaanika commented that The Southern Times has been well received in Botswana, “where it has experienced significant growth”.
Last week The Southern Times celebrated its 10th anniversary, an occasion graced by the performance of Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi.