MTN signs confidentiality agreement with Zim operator

[Dumisani Ndlela] MTN, has signed a confidentiality agreement with Zim state-owned cellular network, NetOne, as the South Africa-based mobile company moved closer to acquiring a key stake in the Zimbabwean company. Sources in Harare said MTN had wound up its due diligence on NetOne and was expected to place its final bid soon.

Zim: State-owned newspapers in the red despite monopoly

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's state-owned newspapers performed dismally last year despite enjoying a virtual monopoly on the daily news market, recording an operational loss of US$329 000 during the year to 31 December 2009.

Zim: Clothing retail giants endure tough market

Insurance ad sparks outrage in Zimbabwe

[Dumisani Ndlela] An insurance renewal advertisement by RM Insurance has provoked the women's rights lobby in Zimbabwe, which is demanding an apology from the company for demeaning “wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and grannies.”

Zimbabwe's brands to fight for honours

Zim: Telecel attracts customers with new offer

Counterfeits on Zim's market

Zim retailers still look to South Africa for stock

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's retail giants are still largely reliant on imports from South Africa, and are hoping a trade pact between the two countries will unlock credit facilities to ramp up imports on favourable terms.

Zimbabwe's sole newsprint plant remains closed

Telecel Zimbabwe targets listing

Zimbabwe Human Capital website launched

Zim: Retailers get into the festive mood

[Dumisani Ndlela] For Zimbabweans, Christmas has of late never been this merry: over the past decade, they have had to battle a hyperinflationary crisis that made it impossible to budget for festivities, while retailers shunned festive season indulgences for customers. Then there were empty shelves to contend with over the last two years.

Zim: Newspapers launch competitions to attract readers

[Dumisani Ndlela] The state-controlled Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) has launched its Eight Papers Promotion, asking readers to buy all the week's papers from the group in order to stand a chance to win holiday packages, airline tickets, cell phones with lines, flat screen televisions and shopping vouchers.

Retailers bring back credit to lure customers

Zim: Delta brings back the old beer brand

[Dumisani Ndlela] The country's beverages group, Delta Corporation, has brought back the Chibuku “shake-shake” brand of opaque beer which had been abandoned in 1991 with the introduction of the “scud” brand.

Zim: Marketers hold inaugural conference

[Dumisani Ndlela] The Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) is to hold its inaugural convention in the resort town of Nyanga from 21 - 23 October 2009, an announcement said.

Zimbabwe telecom firms on the defensive

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's telecommunications sector has gone on the defensive over poor quality service and calls for government to open the market to South Africa's MTN and Vodacom.

Zimbabwe holds annual marketing indaba

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe will hold its major destination marketing indaba, the Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Travel and Tourism Expo, from 14 - 18 October 2009. This will be the second event following the expo's rebranding last year, but the first since the formation of an inclusive government that brought political and economic stability in the country.

Visa International back in Zim

Zim retailers sideline wholesalers as competition intensifies

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's retail players are circumventing wholesalers in the country's supply chain as retail competition in the country intensifies. Retailers are seeking direct relationships with manufacturers in order to cut prices and keep customers in a highly competitive market.