Feasibility of Publishing Newspapers in Local Languages
A policy-driven media development project by the Zimbabwe Media Commission (2019)
The Vision
In 2019, the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) commissioned a nationwide feasibility study to explore the viability of publishing newspapers in the country’s 16 officially recognized languages. The study aimed to assess both the commercial sustainability and the constitutional imperative of promoting linguistic inclusivity in the media space.
My Role as Registrar
As the Registrar at ZMC, I played a key role in initiating and coordinating this important work. My responsibilities included drafting the project brief, overseeing internal approvals, and managing stakeholder consultations across all ten provinces. I also ensured that the research aligned with ZMC’s mandate to promote access to information and uphold media plurality.
A Gendered Perspective
One of the study’s most compelling elements was its emphasis on empowering women media entrepreneurs, many of whom operate in underserved linguistic communities. This intersection between language, gender, and access reinforced my long-standing interest in localization as a tool for equity and development.
Laying the Groundwork for Localization
This project marked a pivotal moment in shaping my vision to build digital platforms that preserve and promote Zimbabwean languages. It was not only a regulatory milestone but also a personal turning point, laying the foundation for my current work in language localization and inclusive media systems.