Despite the cost effectiveness and wide subscriber base, the man behind ZW News in the UK, and his colleague in Zimbabwe, have been unable to source funding to keep going.

We wanted to pay tribute to these guys, who like to keep a low profile so no names mentioned, and we asked if one of them would like to give us an interview. That was declined but, in his own words, here are a few details of the extraordinary reach of ZW News.

“There are a little over 160 000 readers of ZWNEWS/Grimnews every day, in just about every place you can imagine, from Alaska to Zambia, via Cuba, Thailand and Afghanistan, amongst many, many other places. But the vast majority are in Zimbabwe, including in the corridors of power in Harare (or corridors of powerlessness, in the case of the MDC ministries). Very senior members of ZANU PF have been loyal subscribers since day one.

Very cost effective - a small fraction of a US$ per reader per year, and produced 363 days a year, technical hitches and finances permitting. (Xmas and New Year's Day off).

Benefit of being one person? No commuting, no office politics, no meetings, no dress code. Although it hasn't been just me - there is someone in Harare who has been part of ZWNEWS for years.

ZWNEWS motto: There are only two kinds of politician: those who have lied, and those who have yet to get round to it. Followed, if possible, by (a wholly inappropriate) rendition of ‘Always look on the bright side of life’.


Cheers”

SWRA and 160,000 other people (barring perhaps the ZANU PF subscribers) are very sorry to see you go. Thanks for everything.