By Justin Tamisai Makombe
The harsh encryption of Zimbabwean free-to-air satellite television viewership from SABC TV 1, 2 and 3 and the ensuing proclamation of collaborative efforts between Sentech and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to bring the SABCs’ back into the homes of quality starved local viewing public not only raises eyebrows but reveals clearly why as called for, media reforms, particularly broadcasting reforms should have taken place before the elections.
The timing of the switch off, one month before the country’s watershed elections was certainly meant to force poor citizens’ watch the Boring; some would say “DEAD BC”.
It is the spite however, displayed by Happison Muchechetere, the head honcho of ZBC after the scrambling, which is perplexing. His astonishment at Zimbabweans’ fanaticism of SABC soaps and programmes at the expense of local programming shows there is something essentially wrong with the man at the helm of ZBC.
His spiteful remarks demean viewers whom he should be venerating because they pay for his plush subsistence through licences, advertising and other forms of support they lend to the broadcaster.
At his level, Muchechetere should by now have ably mastered that which makes local viewers become obsessed with foreign programming, drawn some important lessons and implemented strategic decisions to tame the tide.
What all this shows is that this man is unfit to head the ZBC or any sensible institution, confirming popular opinion that he is a Zanu PF puppet and political stooge out to protect the interests of his handlers.
But if the jokes (figurative) at ZBC thought that their grotesque union with Sentech is going to restore viewership, then they have got another thing coming. SABC programming muddled up with ZBC programming will not persuade television viewers to like them, until the ZBC is ready and able to correct that which made viewers flight in the first place – and that is providing non-partisan coverage of news and issues as well as quality programming.
One only needs to visit any Dstv offices or Dstv agencies to witness the queues and see how new Dstv subscriber numbers are growing fast and furiously.
The reason why Zimbabweans were watching or would want to watch SABC is simply because of their excellent programming. It is first class. The South African film industry is world class so too is their television advertising industry – worlds apart with Zimbabwe’s.
The SABC also did not and does not subject viewers to undivided, 27/4 idolised coverage of Jacob Zuma like they do here to Robert Mugabe. SABC actually sometimes criticises Jacob Zuma and gives voice to those that criticise Jacob Zuma and policies of the African National Congress. That is what viewers want; impartial coverage of personalities, issues, news and views.
Granted, the country was fought and won through bloodshed but viewers do not need to persistently be reminded about this after 33 years of independence. That story is best left for the history books, not modern television programming. Those soporific jingles about the Chimurenga (war of liberation struggle), fallen heroes and the horrible footage of white brutality would make good archival material, which interested parties can always dig out for reference.
Discerning viewers now want 21st television programming. So ZBC needs to move with the times by migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting as is the norm elsewhere in the world. The ZBC is always groaning about its lack of requisite finances to implement digitisation but can afford its executives fuel guzzling, luxurious, top-of-the-range automobiles, obscene salaries and allowances from the little resources collected from the broke broadcaster.
The ZBC needs to transform itself from the current Zanu PF pet project that it is, into a public broadcaster, if it wants to attract any new viewership.
Yet, events of the past few weeks have already shown that ZBC is unrepentant, and for that reason they may just as well kiss good-bye to new viewership whether they partner with Sentech, the BBC or some fancy business associate from heaven.
Being the election season, the broadcaster has already intensified its attack on the main opposition by denying them television time as demanded by the new constitutional reforms. The only television time they will give the opposition is negative coverage. “Special reporters” have been assigned to follow the MDC-T and its leader on the campaign trail but only to tell damaging stories about the party.
Many progressive Zimbabweans want change in every sphere of their lives and do not care who brings about the change but will certainly honour and accord hero status to the one person and political party that will be brave enough to free them from the yoke of Zanu PF.
And that includes saving television viewers from monotonous ZBC.
