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Pikirayi Deketeke

Chronicle Reporter
ZIMPAPERS is investing in innovation and staff development to maintain value for shareholders, employees and audiences, group chief executive officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke has said. He told shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Harare recently that the fully integrated media group’s strategy is hinged on leadership, redefining the operating model and adapting to the changing technological environment. “There’s value in us constantly investing in the future. We owe it to our shareholders to remain viable and to be profitable. This is why we believe in adapting to the changing, volatile and uncertain environment we find ourselves operating in. Trends are changing and we can’t forever remain the printing and publishing house of yesteryear,” he said.

The company, Mr Deketeke said, believes that it can continue to grow through the creation of new audiences and innovating on the channels in which to package content to disseminate to these new audiences.

“This is why you find us hosting business breakfast meetings now; we’re holding expos and social events too. All this is premised on the realisation that we’ve the ability to bring different players together to deliberate on key issues,” he said.

Zimpapers through Herald Business brand recently partnered the Office of the President and Cabinet in an Ease of Doing Business Symposium. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the event that was attended by more than 300 market leaders, policy makers and media practitioners.

In line with its expansion and growth strategy; Zimpapers has in recent months launched a regional radio station in Mutare; Diamond FM which has already made itself a household name in that part of the country.

The group launched two Suburban newspapers last year which serve the Avondale and Borrowdale areas. Suburbs in the vicinity of the two areas are covered under these publications whose aim is to highlight issues affecting locals.

The publications also allow advertisers operating in these suburbs to market their products and services. Such innovations, said Mr Deketeke, would not be possible without the company’s biggest asset, its human capital. He said the Group’s staff and its commitment to duty underpins who and what Zimpapers does.

“Consequently to ensure success of the company’s growth, the company is pursuing talent management, share management which allows staff to own shares in the company, staff development and work exposure as well as the promotion of environment; health and safety awareness,” he said.

The company has been steadily growing with all its strategic business units, Natprint, Star FM, Bulawayo and Harare branches recording profits in the second quarter, at a time when a number of listed firms are recording declines in revenues and profits.