By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited (Zimpapers) has begun a retrenchment process that will cut jobs across the media group as the company restructures its operations around a digital-first model.
The move comes as Zimbabwe’s traditional media industry faces mounting pressure from declining print revenues, changing audience habits and the migration of advertising towards digital platforms.
Zimpapers board chairperson Doreen Sibanda confirmed the restructuring in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the company had reviewed its operating model in response to technological changes and changing patterns of media consumption.
She said the revised structure would involve the consolidation of functions and reorganisation of operations, resulting in some positions becoming redundant.
“Technological advancements, evolving media consumption patterns and the need to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic media environment have necessitated a review of our operating model,” Sibanda said.
She added that the company had “commenced a retrenchment process in compliance with applicable labour laws and established human resources procedures”.
Zimpapers did not disclose the number of jobs at risk.
However, reports are suggesting that 154 positions could be affected in the first phase,
The group employs more than 900 people across its newspaper, broadcasting and printing operations.
The retrenchment comes as Zimpapers attempts to fundamentally change the way it gathers, produces and distributes content.
The company has been moving towards a converged newsroom designed to produce material for newspapers, radio, television and digital platforms rather than operating these outlets as largely separate functions.
The strategy has included greater use of audience analytics, multi-format content production and digital and artificial intelligence tools in newsroom workflows.
Zimpapers has described the new structure as a “converged, platform-agnostic newsroom”, reflecting a shift away from the traditional model in which newspapers, broadcasters and digital teams operated with more distinct functions.
The changes have also been accompanied by a reshaping of editorial leadership. In August, Lawson Mabhena was appointed Group Head of News after serving as editor of The Chronicle, while Hatred Zenenga was appointed editor of both The Chronicle and Sunday News. Former Head of News Elias Mambo moved to the position of Group Digital Services Executive.
The appointments form part of the wider restructuring of the group’s editorial and digital operations.
The transformation is taking place against a difficult financial background.
Zimpapers’ 2025 financial results showed revenue falling from ZiG736.5 million in 2024 to ZiG622.1 million, while the loss before tax widened from ZiG55.7 million to ZiG96.3 million.
The loss from operations increased from ZiG17.3 million to ZiG74.6 million, while the loss after tax rose from ZiG21.7 million to ZiG83.5 million.
The newspaper division remained the group’s largest revenue contributor, generating ZiG342.8 million during 2025.
But advertising volumes in the division fell by 14 percent, with Zimpapers attributing the decline partly to the continued movement of advertisers towards digital platforms.
The commercial printing business also contracted sharply, with revenue falling from ZiG152 million to ZiG84.1 million. The division recorded an operating loss.
Broadcasting provided some growth, with revenue increasing to ZiG195.2 million from ZiG178.7 million, supported by a 45 percent increase in radio volumes.
Television volumes, however, declined.
Zimpapers is seeking to move Zimbabwe Television Network (ZTN) beyond a conventional linear television model towards an over-the-top, or OTT, platform, allowing audiences to access content through internet-connected devices.
The move reflects the changing way audiences consume news and entertainment, with media organisations increasingly competing for attention across mobile phones, social media, online video and other digital platforms.
