ZIMPAPERS SWINGS AXE IN MAJOR DIGITAL PIVOT
Group Migrates ZTN to OTT, Newspapers Division Goes Mobile-First
By Desire Tshuma
HARARE — Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited, the listed media giant, is undertaking a far-reaching newsroom and operational shake-up as it accelerates its transition to a digital-first model, with job cuts on the cards.
In a terse media statement issued by Board Chairperson Mrs Doreen Sibanda announced a strategic restructuring programme aimed at repositioning the group for long-term competitiveness and sustainability amid rapidly changing audience consumption patterns and technological disruption.
At the heart of the restructure is a two-pronged transformation. The Group’s television arm, Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), will migrate from a traditional linear broadcast model to a digital Over-the-Top (OTT) platform, while the Newspapers Division — home to flagship titles The Herald, The Chronicle, The Sunday Mail and other regional papers — will be realigned to a digital and mobile-first operating structure.
According to the statement, the exercise will entail a reorganisation of operations, consolidation of functions and optimisation of organisational structures.
“The decision follows a comprehensive review of the Group’s operations in response to technological advancements, changing media consumption patterns, and the need to ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability,” Mrs Sibanda said.
The Board Chair confirmed that the leaner, digital-led structure has rendered certain positions redundant.
“As a result, certain positions have become redundant within the revised operating model, and the Company has commenced a retrenchment process in compliance with applicable labour laws and established human resources procedures,” she said.
Sibanda did not disclose the number of affected employees – sources said 154 – or the timeline for the retrenchment, but stressed that the process would be handled in line with labour laws and internal HR procedures.
The group said it remains committed to treating affected staff with “fairness, dignity and respect” while maintaining its editorial mandate and service delivery to audiences, advertisers, shareholders and other stakeholders.
The move marks the most significant newsroom overhaul at Zimpapers in recent years, as legacy media houses battle print circulation decline, a shift to on-demand video, and the scramble for digital advertising revenue.
Zimpapers is Zimbabwe’s largest integrated media house, with interests spanning print, broadcast, radio, digital publishing, commercial printing and its classifieds platform BoldAds.
