THE Network of Independent Media Councils in Africa (NIMCA) is convening its inaugural strategic meeting today at the UNESCO offices in Dar es Salaam

Ernest Sungura, the NIMCA chairman and Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) executive secretary, said in a statement yesterday that the gathering brings together the technical team and board members to establish an operational framework for the network, like basic terms of association, and set the ground for the highly anticipated 2025 NIMCA conference slated for Dar es Salaam.

The technical team, confirmed by NIMCA’s board members, was assigned specific roles and responsibilities in getting the network off the ground, including completing several key deliverables by the end of the one day workshop.

Its work will emphasize the importance of clarifying NIMCA mission goals, as its vision, mission and core values must be clearly defined to guide its actions and decisions. “This foundational step is crucial for aligning the network’s efforts and ensuring a unified direction,” he stated.

The strategic focus areas include impact, outcomes and outputs, while the team is tasked with providing input for NIMCA operational plan and budget, he said, elaborating that the NIMCA needs a detailed plan that outlines its activities and indicative budget lines.

This plan will serve as a roadmap for NIMCA’s initiatives and ensure that resources are allocated in an effective manner in pursuit of its goals, he said, highlighting the critical task of the team as drafting essential constitution clauses.

These clauses will form the backbone of NIMCA’s governance structure, ensuring transparency and accountability, he said, noting that a robust constitution is important for maintaining the integrity and credibility of the network.

Preparations for the 2025 NIMCA conference is the focus of the workshop, with the technical team laying the groundwork for this event, likely to bring together media professionals news administrators from across Africa, he pointed out. 

“The 2025 conference will be a landmark event for NIMCA, and we must start planning now to ensure its success,” the national contact officer stated, detailing that the team will compile a comprehensive workshop report detailing roles and timelines. “This report will show who is responsible for which task and when it needs to be completed, thus ensuring that team members are aligned and accountable,” he said, intimating that by the end of the workshop the technical team expects to have a clear and actionable plan to drive forward NIMCA efforts.

“This workshop is a critical step in our journey, and I am confident that our team will rise to the challenge and deliver outstanding results.”

The meeting was expected to field a distinguished group of media professionals and consultants, with the NIMCA chairman liaising with Ziada Kilobo, the MCT institutional sustainability specialist also leading the NIMCA secretariat.

Izak Minnaar, a press representative and NIMCA invited member representing the South Africa Press Council, has been instrumental in media self-regulation in South Africa.

Kennedy Mambwe, the Zambia Media Self-Regulatory Council chairman and a NIMCA board member, was contributing from his vast knowledge in media self-regulation and governance, the group team leader noted.

The consultancy team from Altadvisory.Africa, based in South Africa, includes Michael Power and Wendy Trott, having a wealth of experience in media consultancy and strategic planning. Their insights are considered invaluable to the development of the NIMCA strategic framework.

Several MCT consultants feature in the technical team, like Elizabeth Wachuka, Derek Murusuri, Josephat Mwanzi and Bryan Tosh, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the table, he further noted.

This will ensure a comprehensive approach to NIMCA strategic planning as their roles are crucial in shaping operational and strategic directions, while Victor Bwire, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) director of training and a NIMCA technical team member, adds his expertise in media training and development, further enriching the team’s capabilities, the coordinator added.

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