Siphathisiwe Maziwa
ZIMBABWE’s largest integrated media house, Zimpapers, will soon establish media clubs in schools countrywide to mentor upcoming journalists as part of its social responsibility programme.
Dubbed the “Zimpapers Junior Media Club”, the initiative will provide pupils with mentorship in writing, broadcasting and equip them with critical media skills.
In addition, the clubs will offer pupils platforms to publish and broadcast their content.
The clubs will be run under the theme: “Catch Them Young”.
Speaking during a school prefects’ induction programme at Westridge High school in Belvedere, Zimpapers public relations and communications manager (Digital and Publishing Division), Mrs Pauline Matanda, urged pupils to participate in the clubs.
“As Zimpapers, we are introducing the junior media club in schools where we will be mentoring students in writing and broadcasting as well as providing journalist grooming programmes.
“Therefore, I invite all pupils interested in writing amongst you, leaders of the school, to join this club and learn how to write and be mentored in broadcasting because you are the future journalists, editors and presenters,” she said.
Westridge High School deputy headmistress, Mrs Allison Kondowe, commended Zimpapers for coming up with the initiative.
“It is very wise of Zimpapers to do grassroots programmes in schools,” she said.
“Schools hold all the potential within the children and if you manage to capture them at any early age, then it is guaranteed that the end product will be good.
“Therefore, this is a very good programme for students as well as Zimpapers as an organisation and journalism in the country at large.”
