Zimbabweans Urged to Ditch South African DStv Accounts and Go Local with ZIMnandi Campaign

MultiChoice Zimbabwe has launched a nationwide campaign urging Zimbabweans using South African-registered DStv accounts to switch to local subscriptions. The initiative, titled “DStv ZIMnandi,” aims to curb signal piracy and promote local content consumption.

Accessing DStv through foreign accounts while residing in Zimbabwe constitutes piracy, a breach of international copyright law, MultiChoice warns. The company cautions that continued use of South African accounts could lead to prosecution. This practice undermines Zimbabwe’s creative economy and deprives artists, broadcasters, and the national treasury of vital revenue.

The ZIMnandi campaign was officially launched last week in Bulawayo through a series of mobile activations. The initiative encourages viewers to migrate from foreign accounts to DStv Zimbabwe. MultiChoice Zimbabwe General Manager, Siyabulela Jemsana, emphasized the benefits of subscribing locally, including compliance with the law and support for Zimbabwe’s creative industry.

“ZIMnandi is a through-the-line mass media campaign designed to raise awareness and highlight the advantages of subscribing locally. Our call to action is simple: switch to DStv Zimbabwe, because local is better,” said Jemsana, in remarks delivered by Head of Marketing Brightwell Manyerenyere during the launch.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe outlined several incentives for local subscribers. These include the removal of the R50 reconnection fee, access to multiple payment methods such as EcoCash USD, Mukuru Wallet, Visa, MasterCard, over 350 booths nationwide, eight partner banks, and a growing network of accredited agents.

Bulawayo was chosen for the campaign launch due to its growth potential and strategic significance, Jemsana noted. The city recently hosted high-profile screenings such as Shaka iLembe Season 2 on Mzansi Magic, signaling MultiChoice’s commitment to Matabeleland.

The campaign is part of MultiChoice Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to nurture local talent and expand partnerships with broadcasters including ZBCtv, 3Ktv, ZTN Prime, and NRTV. Initiatives like the MultiChoice Talent Factory in Lusaka further strengthen regional creative capacity.

Piracy remains a global challenge, costing an estimated US$71 billion annually. Locally, it threatens jobs, weakens intellectual property rights, and reduces tax revenue. “Piracy erodes the creative industry, silences Zimbabwean storytellers, and weakens the national economy,” Jemsana said. MultiChoice is collaborating with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) on public education initiatives addressing piracy and intellectual property rights.

Despite competition from free-to-air platforms, MultiChoice Zimbabwe reported a 32 percent business growth last year and targets a further 20 percent increase this year. The company employs over 150 staff directly and supports more than 170 accredited installers and 60 agents across 90 outlets nationwide.

The DStv ZIMnandi campaign positions itself as more than an anti-piracy drive. It is a call to protect Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, sustain local content production, and ensure the nation’s cultural narratives continue to reach audiences legally. Switching to a Zimbabwean DStv account is presented as both a legal responsibility and a vital contribution to the country’s creative economy.