Zimlink is a bridge between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world, focusing mainly on the relationship between Zimbabwe and the UK. Zimlink creates a platform for the youth, Business and organisations of Zimbabwe. Zimlink launched in 2013 in the 5 years Zimlink has become a major contributor to the Zimbabwean diaspora.

With the recent change in Zimbabwe, we now have an opportunity to build a strong foundation for Zimbabwe to transform and develop. Zimbabwe has all the skills and resources needed to precipitate this change. But lacks the infrastructure, vision and leadership to put it in to place. Zimlink offers a unique opportunity in the form of; free training open to all socio-economic groups, an online magazine to promote Zimbabwe, also Zimlink can create links and improve upon existing structures between NGO’s, Business and government.

 

In 2015 Zimlink set up a sister organisation in Malawi Lawilink in a 18 month period Lawilink operated southern region of Malawi through University student volunteers (Blantyre polytechnic) also the community volunteers from Ndirande, Pholombe & the surrounding areas. Creating partnerships between the private sector government and NGOs in the UK, Malawi & Zimbabwe. This project was funded at cost of £105,000 with a £30.00 return. Lawilink generated new employment opportunities, contributed to government policy, supported the set of new business/organisations and conducted virous educational/training programmes.

Zimlink with cross party support from the government of the UK and Zimbabwe will raise £450,000 to create a hub in Harare based on the same model used in Malawi. In the first year we aim to train 800 students build a team of volunteers and full-time staff all of which will be Zimbabwe nationals or African descent.

Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa after a long period of decline once being the bread bask

et of Africa with a booming economy. Zimbabwe finds herself at another cross road, now is the time to choose whether we create a Zimbabwe to become the heart of the SADAC region, an economic power house that pushes the African agenda, fighting for an independent and united Africa free from the conditions and terms of external bodies.

An estimated 800,000 – 1,000,000 Zimbabweans and peoples with Zimbabwean heritage live in the UK

offering a huge resource to draw from. Given the historical ties between Zimbabwe and the UK, the capital potential and the need for the UK & Zimbabwe to developed new trade and commercial links. Zimlink can supply Education and infrastructure to facilitate.

 

 

Projection year one:

1. Create Zimlink hub Harare – Blantyre
2. Build partnerships with; government bodies, Universities, media companies, communications and NGO/community groups.
3. Employ and train team of at least 5 full time staff and 20 volunteers
4. Train African citizens to operate and manage Zimlink
5. Purchase necessary equipment
6. Purchase and outfit an off-road vehicle to be used in the rural areas
7. Produce documentaries about Zimbabwe
8. Research the needs and expectations
9. Research & implement the Voice Zimbabwe projects
10. Teach 1500 students approx.
11. Offer free internet access to local community and training
12. Create a platform for gender equity

 

ZIMLINK PROFILE

VISION

Create a platform for the youth of Zimbabwe to learn, express and transform. Zimlink will change the world through a mutual exchange of information, nurturing skills at national and global level.

MISSION

Zimlink exists to be the largest media house in Zimbabwe and the SADC region through media training and inclusion of the marginalised society.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Zimlink is a media non-profit organisation established and registered on the 15 August 2013. Zimlink is a sister organization to Lawilink a non-partisan, non-governmental organization. The core business of Zimlink is to empower and civic educate the masses through high quality low cost media services. Zimlink supports grass roots organisations & communities utilising; film production, websites, social media & articles while promoting the rights of the citizenry. Zimlink is representing the marginalized regardless of social status in the society. Currently the organization is operating in the UK, Zimbabwe and the southern region of Malawi through University student volunteers, community volunteers, business and an assortment of other professional volunteers. Zimlink has a board of directors that provide policy direction & board of trusties overseeing the practices. The executive management and part time staff that are involved in the daily affairs of the organization and community volunteers that are involved in the implementation of particular organized activities on social cross-cutting issues. Zimlink has professional accounts staff that overseer financial transactions of the organization.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Provide low cost in media services, film production and websites
2. Train, educate and monitoring to all age groups irrespective of sex culture or ability
3. Online magazine made up of contributions from volunteers
4. Teach in schools, colleges and universities
5. Empower and include Lawilink principles
6. Remain at all times neutral, non-political and non-religious where representing all groups in the global community
7. Fully support the free exchange of information and knowledge such that our content is openly shared
8. Support open copyright on all materials and promote this at every opportunity
9. Support human rights and cross-cutting issues
10. Support democracy and good governance
11. Youth empowerment
12. Capacity building/technical orientation and skills training
13. Civic education at all levels
14. Advocacy on environment and women development

 

 

STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES

1. Training in video camera handling, still/mobile video shooting
2. Advertising (designing and marketing)
3. Events coverage
4. www.zimlink.org
5. Youth empowerment
6. Human rights
7. Workshops
8. Festivals

1. Women’s rights

AREA OF OPERATION (geographical coverage)

Zimlink has in the past 5 years concentrated its activities Malawi, UK & Zimbabwe

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE (Brief)

1. Set up NGO in Malawi, Registered with the Registrar General’s office & CONGOMA
2. Set up a limited company (Malawi)

• Set up Community interest company (UK)

1. Trained Blantyre polytechnic students in filming and photographer
2. Trained students on how handle video cameras and video shooting
3. Provided career talks in both primary and secondary schools (UK/Malawi)

• Provided presentations community groups (UK/Zimbabwe/Malawi)
• Interviewed public figures & grass roots organisations

1. Coverage of events such sports games, traditional village advocacy meetings & cultural ceremonies.
2. Introduced Lawilink & Zimlink online magazines & Facebook pages with over 40,000 & 6000 users respectively.
3. Creation of the Zimlink & Lawilink image archives with over 600,000 views.

• Conducted Two festivals for people with Albinism in (Phalombe Malawi).
• Working and employing with youths from the deprived community of Ndirande (Malawi).
• Providing experience to over 3,000 youths.

1. Given mentorship & guidance Launching academic and professional careers.

• Working in partnership with Amnesty International to change national policy on persons with Albinism
• Set up the uprisealbinism.org project & web site.
• Filming and presentation to the rural community in Shurugwi Zimbabwe
• Coverage of UK Zimbabwe events such as Zimfest, Zim Cup Clashand Zim Achivers

1. Working in with Gondwana group throughout Namibia

• Set up Sport Africa, a sports platform for young presenters and journalists
• Created a television series MBC Malawia
• Worked in partnership with other media companies and organisations
• Over 2,000 documenters and articles
• Promotion and creation of citizen journalists
• Documentary Miplio Central Hospital
• Documentary Women’s football Zimbabwe
• Black History Month at Westminster in partnership with Africa 4 u

 

CHALLENGES

Lack of stable funding

FUTURE PLANS

1. Set up Zimlink Hub Harare – Bulawayo
2. Set up Inphotopia.com as a limited company (funds)
3. Activating new projects on crossing cutting issues (climate change, persons with albinism, human rights and women and girl empowerment).
4. Staff development in various skills (upgrading)
5. Raise more financial resources through advertising and proposal development
6. Strengthen the advertising section for more income and sustainability of Zimlink activities.
7. Conduct annual general meetings with Zimlink members
8. Conduct board meetings for effective good governance
9. Establish international & regional offices for wider geographical coverage
10. Youth mentoring focus on young men and women