Delegates from twenty-one countries across Africa have converged in Victoria Falls for the ninth edition of the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA) Convention, a premier platform aimed at shaping the future of broadcasting and media across the continent.
The three-day conference, hosted by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), seeks to foster dialogue on the rapidly evolving media landscape, focusing on issues such as digital transformation, financial sustainability, technological innovation, and the preservation of public service broadcasting values.
ZBC Chief Executive Officer Sugar Chagonda said the gathering was a landmark opportunity for the region’s broadcasters to collaborate and share best practices.
“Delegates from twenty-one different countries are participating in this convention, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives, experiences, and innovations from around the world.
“Our success as broadcasters depends on unity, creativity, and innovation. For the next three days, we must exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and build a broadcasting future that is vibrant, strong, and inclusive,” he added.
Chagonda commended the SABA leadership and secretariat for their dedication in organising the event, noting that the convention comes at a time when the global broadcasting landscape is facing rapid technological change.
“The industry faces two core imperatives embracing digital transformation and ensuring financial sustainability through innovative models that balance public service values with commercial viability,” he said.
SABA President, Stanley B. Similo, underscored the importance of maintaining the human element in broadcasting, even as new technologies reshape the industry.
“We must keep the human element alive in everything we do. That is what keeps us accountable and ensures integrity in storytelling. This conference will help us deal with information management, ethics, and identity in the age of digital convergence,” he said.
Similo also paid tribute to the Government of Zimbabwe for hosting the convention, praising the warm hospitality extended to visiting delegates.
“To our esteemed foreign delegates, welcome to Zimbabwe, and particularly to the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Your presence here reaffirms our shared commitment to advancing the broadcasting industry across Southern Africa,” he said.
The convention, running under the theme “Transforming Broadcasting in the Digital Era: Innovation, Sustainability and Collaboration,” brings together policymakers, media executives, technical experts, and producers from across the region.
Discussions will centre on the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud based production, and digital radio in modern broadcasting, as well as strategies to strengthen public service broadcasting and promote local content production.
The event is also expected to explore regional cooperation opportunities and the development of a common broadcasting agenda that supports growth, diversity, and accountability across the African continent.
