Swaziland: Youth Connexion Transworld Radio Libombo Community radio Miles Communications Zambia: QFM Mirror & Digest Mazabuka Radio Petauke Explorers Zimbabwe: Network Guardian News Midlands News Midlands Observer Business Connect Mentorship and Monitoring Mentorship and Monitoring Mentorship and Monitoring Commercial media (not supported by donors) The strategy of running market-driven activities side-by-side with developmental activities (donor sponsored) was reinforced in 2006. Its contribution to SAIMED’s financial status is still small. The low response in obtaining requests on commercially driven activities confirms that SAIMED must improve its marketing strategy. There is a need also for the creation of more value-adding entrepreneurial programmes. The external forces – instability in oil prices, unwavering competition from state-owned and foreign media in southern Africa and continued poor access to affordable printing presses – necessitates that SAIMED regroup and find the best possible interventions. Despite these challenges, SAIMED continued to provide this platform for training and media development services to all media enterprises in southern Africa that are not catered for under donor-supported funds. Details of the training and services provided can be obtained from SAIMED’s offices or via the website: www.saimed.org Way Forward The core of SAIMED’s entrepreneurial training programmes will continue to include business management, financial management, and sales and marketing. However, for SAIMED to continue its activities, a number of key factors require rigorous and dedicated attention. These are: · Strong relationship with stakeholders and donors to ensure visibility and market development; · Securing a stronger internal pool of staff with at least four experts. This will lead to a middle-way outsourcing model; · Accreditation of programmes offered for market acceptability; · Sustained commercialisation of some activities to contribute towards organisational sustainability and growth; · Networking in order to gain value from other similar organisations; and · Improvement of the marketing function by means of competitive products and services. SAIMED was incorporated in the republic of Botswana in 2002 as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee. During 2006 processes had begun to transform SAIMED into a trust. 74 Annual Report 2007