Zimbabwe needs more local, user-generated content to make the internet relevant to Zimbabweans, says the founder and managing editor of TechZim.
Limbikani Kabweza told the Broadband Forum in Harare today local content would push consumption in the country.
But he said the creation of local content would be in the hands of young people with ideas rather than large, established media houses.
“For the first time the user of content is able to create it at the same time. That is very unique,” he said.
“If we are going to wait for television to do things online then we miss the power of the internet. It is individuals that come up with ideas, and before they had to present it to big companies. Now those young people can just start working on the idea themselves.
“I think they are the future and the money should be going to those ideas.”
He said user-generated content would also be the key to making a success of sites hosting local content.
“If you decide to create the content yourself, its only so much you can do. On the other side, if there are users creating content for users there is a huge possibility of a mega audience. And mega audience always means mega money.”
Kabweza said Zimbabweans must take responsibility for the creation of such content rather than relying on outsiders.
“So far we have left the responsibility to NGOs and the government. It is shameful actually, particularly the NGO part. We leave the responsibility to outsiders.”
