New Sunday paper a noble business initiative: Minister

GOVERNMENT has voiced its support for the planned regional newspaper, the New Sunday Times but has denied that it will become a “propaganda mouthpiece” for the Namibian and Zimbabwean governments.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Nangolo Mbumba told the National Assembly on Thursday that Government lauded the initiative by Zimbabwe Newspapers and New Era to establish a joint venture company – saying it was in line with regional integration aims. Responding to questions by Monitor Action Group’s Kosie Pretorius on the legislative and financial implications of the venture, Mbumba charged that “deliberate and wrong information” published in news media both regionally and abroad that the Sunday paper would be a “propaganda mouthpiece” for both governments was “far from the truth.”Mbumba argued that while New Era was a wholly owned Government enterprise, the Zimbabwe government held minority shares in Zimpapers and that it was largely owned by “ordinary” Zimbabweans and institutions.”I do not know why mostly the Western-owned and controlled media are so much against this noble, timely and appropriate business initiative …which is committed to providing the people of our region with products that shall offer news and information from an African perspective,” he told parliamentarians.He said the project was in line with the spirit of the Windhoek Declaration that calls for a pluralistic African media.Mbumba ruled out the possibility of State funds being pumped into the initiative.According to him, the financing of the joint-venture company would come from “various sources”, including shareholding equity and borrowing.”The soon-to-be established joint venture company will not operate as a State-owned enterprise but as an autonomous business venture.It shall not receive any funds from the Government of the Republic of Namibia,” he said.In terms of the agreement between the two newspaper corporations in April, the two parties will hold equal shares.The company will be registered in Namibia.Mbumba said besides the newspaper, the company intended to explore other possible business ventures in the region.The Minister said that should the two parties agree that shareholders would have to contribute to the venture, New Era would have to fund its portion from its own budget.The paper was originally slated to hit the streets on July 1, but South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper has instituted legal proceedings to block the use of its name.New Era Chief Protasius Ndauendapo could not say last week when the paper would appear.Mbumba added that Government intended to amend the New Era Publication Corporation Act to enable it to engage in business ventures so that it could become self-sustaining and less dependent on State resources in the long run.Responding to questions by Monitor Action Group’s Kosie Pretorius on the legislative and financial implications of the venture, Mbumba charged that “deliberate and wrong information” published in news media both regionally and abroad that the Sunday paper would be a “propaganda mouthpiece” for both governments was “far from the truth.”Mbumba argued that while New Era was a wholly owned Government enterprise, the Zimbabwe government held minority shares in Zimpapers and that it was largely owned by “ordinary” Zimbabweans and institutions.”I do not know why mostly the Western-owned and controlled media are so much against this noble, timely and appropriate business initiative …which is committed to providing the people of our region with products that shall offer news and information from an African perspective,” he told parliamentarians.He said the project was in line with the spirit of the Windhoek Declaration that calls for a pluralistic African media.Mbumba ruled out the possibility of State funds being pumped into the initiative.According to him, the financing of the joint-venture company would come from “various sources”, including shareholding equity and borrowing.”The soon-to-be established joint venture company will not operate as a State-owned enterprise but as an autonomous business venture.It shall not receive any funds from the Government of the Republic of Namibia,” he said.In terms of the agreement between the two newspaper corporations in April, the two parties will hold equal shares.The company will be registered in Namibia.Mbumba said besides the newspaper, the company intended to explore other possible business ventures in the region.The Minister said that should the two parties agree that shareholders would have to contribute to the venture, New Era would have to fund its portion from its own budget.The paper was originally slated to hit the streets on July 1, but South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper has instituted legal proceedings to block the use of its name.New Era Chief Protasius Ndauendapo could not say last week when the paper would appear.Mbumba added that Government intended to amend the New Era Publication Corporation Act to enable it to engage in business ventures so that it could become self-sustaining and less dependent on State resources in the long run.