Zimbabwe Independent milestones over the past 25 years

Zimbabwe Independent this year celebrates 25 years of journalistic excellence and awardwinning journalism. In the coming weeks, we will be celebrating our milestones. We have been playing our fundamental role in holding leaders accountable, exposing abuse of power and corruption and contributing to democratic processes. We are 25 years in May and still going strong!

1996: Current Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) chairperson Trevor Ncube and business partners Clive Wilson and Clive Murphy launch Zimind Publishers, publishing the first issue of the Independent in May that year. Ncube and his colleagues wanted to provide an alternative quality, independent and credible voice in the media focusing on the political economy, while also ensuring pluralism and diversity in a media landscape dominated by state-controlled media outlets;

On May 10 1996, the first edition of the Independent is published and since then the paper has been appearing on the streets every week. Its staff complement was only 13 people in one location at the time. The paper focused on local, regional and international news, with a special emphasis on business and financial issues even though politics always loom large in its coverage;

1997: The Independent launches its website becoming the first ever local publication to do so; entering the digital age ahead of older competitors. Now AMH, the Independent’s holding company which also publishes the NewsDay and Standard, has over 6,5 million unique visits and 16 million page views on its online platforms. AMH also owns Heart & Soul Teleradio, the first teleradio station in the country;

1998: The Quoted Companies Survey magazine, an enduring product of the paper, is introduced. It has now become one of business’s most favoured local media products;

1999: Another innovative product is launched, the Banks and Banking Survey magazine, a platform for in-depth analysis of banks and the financial sector’s performance. It has become the most authoritative publication in that area;

2002: Ncube, formerly Financial Gazette editor, resigns as Independent editor after taking over the Mail & Guardian in South Africa. Iden Wetherell replaces him;

2004: Zimind buys Munn Marketing (Pvt) Ltd from Allan Munn and family. This purchase allows Zimind to control the distribution aspect of its business;

2004: Vincent Kahiya takes over from Wetherell as Independent editor.

2009: Zimind buys Strand MultiPrint. The acquisition allows Zimind to have its own independent press for competitiveness and cost efficiency; 2010: The year 2010 was very exciting and dynamic for the publishing company. Zimind Publishers becomes AMH. AMH — now into printing, publishing and distribution of multimedia products — embarks on a Digital First path;

2010: Constantine Chimakure appointed Independent editor to replace Kahiya who had been assigned to NewsDay as editor;

2011: AMH introduced a public ombudsman to help members of the public resolve complaints they have with our editorial content and our journalists. The ombudsman is a senior retired judge;

2011: The Independent introduced the Motoring Journal and the first edition was in partnership with the Zimbabwe Motor Show;

2012: AMH Conversations launched as a platform to bring to Zimbabwe international experts to lead discussions on critical global, regional and local political and economic developments affecting the country. Supports the Independent Dialogue Series launched earlier to provide a platform for engagement on topical issues and current affairs;

2012: Dumisani Muleya takes over as the Independent editor from Chimakure who had been assigned to NewsDay as editor;

2013: The book on Zimbabwean women, Heartbeat of a Nation, is launched in the Independent to celebrate the achievements of women from all walks of life and the first ever “Game-Changer” event was held; 2014: Financial Times syndicated content is incorporated into the Independent before it was suspended;

2015: The Independent website given new lease of life through regular updates and its online audiences boom;

2016: The Independent turned 20 on May 10 and celebrated at a special function in Harare two decades of award-winning journalism;

2018: AMH created a seven-member editorial board comprising leading policy-makers, lawyers and corporate leaders to enforce professionalism and safeguard the company’s titles against manipulation by shareholders, advertisers and politicians. The board is chaired by Muchadeyi Masunda;

2019: Faith Zaba takes over from Muleya as the Independent’s first female editor and also the group’s first female editor;

2019: AMH was the first media organisation to adapt to the new normal after government imposed a total lockdown and launched the E-Papers — taking a lead on the market in Zimbabwe;

2021: The Independent Special Report magazine launched, which is a compilation of economics and political scientists perspectives on the economy;

2021: Introduced a specialised Intelligence Unit online platform, which makes the Independent a leader in market research and the-go-to for in-depth research across sectors. This makes us the portal to go to for business, government and investors;

2021: The leading business weekly relaunches the Insurance Survey; and

March 26, 2021: Reached 100 000 followers on Twitter.