Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited, popularly known as Zimpapers, has announced a major restructuring programme that will result in job losses as the media gro...
Zimbabwe Newspapers (1980) Limited, popularly known as Zimpapers, has announced a major restructuring programme that will result in job losses as the media group accelerates its transition towards a digital-first business model.
The company announced the retrenchment process this week, citing technological changes, shifting audience habits and the need to improve its long-term financial sustainability.
Zimpapers board chairperson Doreen Sibanda said the restructuring followed a comprehensive review of the group’s operations in response to rapid technological developments and changing media consumption patterns.
She said the organisation was being repositioned to remain competitive as audiences increasingly consume news and other media content through digital and mobile platforms.
According to current reports, 154 employees are expected to be affected in the first phase of the mandatory retrenchment exercise. The figure was reported after company executives met workers’ representatives in Harare.
However, Zimpapers did not include the number of affected employees in its public statement announcing the restructuring. The reported figure should therefore be distinguished from the company’s confirmed announcement about the retrenchment process.
The company said certain positions had become redundant under the revised operating structure and that it had begun the retrenchment process in accordance with applicable labour laws and established human resources procedures.
Zimpapers said the restructuring would affect the way several parts of the organisation operate.
One of the major changes involves Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), which is expected to move away from its traditional linear television model towards an over-the-top, or OTT, digital platform.
The Newspapers Division will also be realigned around a digital- and mobile-first structure.
The company said these changes would require the reorganisation of operations, consolidation of functions and optimisation of organisational structures.
The restructuring comes against the background of financial pressure at the media group.
Zimpapers’ 2025 financial results showed that revenue declined to ZiG622.1 million, from ZiG736.5 million in 2024. The company attributed the difficult operating environment to factors including reduced consumer spending and weaker advertising demand.
The newspaper division remained the group’s largest contributor to revenue, generating ZiG342.8 million during the year.
However, newspaper advertising volumes declined by 14 percent, reflecting the continued shift in advertising expenditure towards digital platforms.
The newspaper division recorded an operating loss of ZiG10 million in 2025, compared with an operating profit of ZiG9.2 million in the previous year, according to the company’s financial results.
The commercial printing division also experienced significant pressure, with revenue falling from ZiG152 million to ZiG84.1 million.
The broadcasting division, meanwhile, recorded revenue growth to ZiG195.2 million from ZiG178.7 million, with radio volumes increasing by 45 percent during the year.
Television has faced greater pressure as audiences increasingly move towards digital platforms, contributing to the decision to transform ZTN’s operating model.
Zimpapers had already identified digital transformation as a key part of its strategy before announcing the latest retrenchments.
In its 2025 financial reporting, the company said the media environment was continuing to shift towards digital consumption while noting that it retained a significant print readership and demand for professionally produced journalism.
The group has also been working to strengthen digital monetisation and diversify its revenue sources.
In April, Zimpapers said its transformation strategy included developing alternative revenue streams beyond traditional media, including digital products, events, sponsorships and the use of its property portfolio.
The latest restructuring therefore represents a continuation of a broader transformation programme rather than an isolated change to the company’s operations.
The decision also follows previous calls for Zimpapers to improve profitability.
In November 2025, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere challenged the company’s management to return the organisation to profitability by June 2026.
At the time, the minister called for greater focus on business units with stronger revenue potential and suggested redeploying employees to areas where their skills could contribute more effectively.
Zimpapers board chairperson Doreen Sibanda subsequently said the company was developing a turnaround strategy aimed at improving performance and making better use of its human resources and technology. (Herald Online)
The current restructuring now moves the organisation into a more difficult phase, with some positions being declared redundant.
Zimpapers said it remained committed to treating affected employees with fairness, dignity and respect throughout the retrenchment process.
The company is also expected to engage the relevant labour authorities and structures as the process proceeds.
According to current reports, Zimpapers said it would notify the National Employment Council and the Retrenchment Board before affected employees receive formal retrenchment letters.
The number of employees ultimately leaving the company could depend on the outcome of the formal retrenchment process and consultations with workers and relevant authorities.
For the media industry, the restructuring highlights the growing financial pressures facing traditional media organisations as audiences and advertisers increasingly migrate from print and conventional broadcasting to digital platforms.
Zimpapers operates newspapers, radio, television and printing businesses, making the transformation particularly significant for one of Zimbabwe’s largest media organisations.
The group’s newspaper portfolio includes established publications such as The Herald, The Sunday Mail, The Chronicle and Sunday News, while its broadcasting operations include radio and television services.
The move towards digital platforms is expected to change both how content is produced and how the company generates revenue from its audiences.
For employees, however, the transformation comes with the immediate impact of job losses as the company restructures its workforce.
For Zimpapers management, the stated objective is to create a leaner and more sustainable organisation capable of competing in a media environment increasingly shaped by digital consumption.
The company has not indicated that its core journalism operations will end. Instead, its public statement indicates that the restructuring is intended to change how those operations are organised and delivered.
The transition to an OTT model for ZTN and the digital-first restructuring of the Newspapers Division are expected to form key parts of the company’s next phase.
The coming months will therefore be important as Zimpapers implements the restructuring, completes consultations and determines the final workforce structure.
The company has said its objective is to remain competitive while continuing to provide content and services to audiences, advertisers, shareholders and other stakeholders.
For affected workers, the retrenchment process will determine who leaves the organisation and what employment benefits and procedures apply under Zimbabwe’s labour framework.
For the wider media industry, the Zimpapers restructuring provides another indication of how technological change, advertising trends and changing consumer behaviour are reshaping traditional media businesses.
