MISA Zimbabwe is a membership-based organisation whose membership is open to all media practitioners, both individuals and institutions that subscribe to our ideals and values. Individual members include media practitioners working in private, online, community and public media institutions. Institutional members include media houses and journalism and media training institutions. Membership is renewed annually (information on how you do this, fees and the membership form are available here). MISA Zimbabwe members meet annually during an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM elects members of the MISA Zimbabwe National Governing Council and is the highest decision-making structure of the organisation.

Trust Board

Cris Chinaka: Media consultant and Editor, ZimFact Cris is a journalism veteran and Editor of Zimfact, an independent Zimbabwean fact-checking site. He spent 25 years at Reuters, including 20 years as the Chief Correspondent for their Zimbabwe Bureau. Cris retired from this position in 2015 to focus on journalism, media training and consultancy for local and international organisations such as Thompson Reuters Foundation. He sits on the boards of several Zimbabwean media organisations, including the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe and The Source. Cris holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Institute of Mass Communication, India.

Faith Zaba: Editor, The Zimbabwe Independent David Maruziva: Senior Journalist David is a senior journalist and co-ordinator of Panorama Magazine. He has four decades of experience as a journalist, editor and media consultant in the Zimbabwean media sector. David has worked in both state and private media, as well as consulting for regional organisations. He has also won many awards for his reporting. David holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication from the University of Zimbabwe and has completed several courses with the World Bank, British Council and City University, London.

Kelvin Jakachira: Senior Journalist Kelvin is a senior journalist and Group Head of News and Current Affairs for ZiFM Stereo and Hevoi FM, 98.4 under the AB Communications stable. With a Diploma in Mass Communications from Harare Polytechnic, and more than twenty-six years of experience working as a journalist and editor, including Modus Publications, Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe and Alpha Media Holdings. Kelvin has previously served as a member and the acting chairperson of the National Governing Council.

National Governing Council

 

Every three years, MISA Zimbabwe members elect five members to serve on the National Governing Council. Four of the five Council members are elected from among the membership during the annual general meeting. In line with our quest to ensure that there is adequate gender representation, MISA Zimbabwe leaves space to elect at least two females onto the board. One member, either a lawyer or a chartered accountant, is co-opted based on their area of expertise.

Chairperson: Golden Maunganidze An award-winning journalist, Golden is the Publisher/ Director of the Masvingo-based TellZim News newspaper. He’s also the director of Campus Radio at Great Zimbabwe University, where he lectures practical journalism courses.  Golden has over ten years’ experience working in the Zimbabwean media industry as a journalist, editor (Mirror), lecturer and publisher and is currently pursuing a PhD at Tilburg University in The Netherlands. David was an Edward R. Murrow fellow in 2011 as well as a Mandela Washington fellow in 2016.

Vice Chairperson: Rutendo Mawere Rutendo is a senior journalist and media practitioner with experience in print, online, new media and radio. She has a Masters in International Relations from the University of Zimbabwe and a B.Sc. Honours in Journalism and Media Studies from the National University of Science and Technology and also received training from the International Institute for Journalism in Germany, Belgium’s International News Safety Institute and the School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University in South Africa. In her 13 year career, she has worked for the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe, Amnesty International Zimbabwe, Alpha Media Holdings and Genderlinks.

Treasurer: Martha Mashonganyika The holder of a BSc. Honours in Applied Accounting, Martha is an accounting consultant with more than ten years of experience in the accounting and finance field. Much of her experience in working with development and humanitarian agencies, including include USAID, Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Department for International Development, and the European Union. Martha has headed the finance department for two local NGOs.

Committee member: Pamenus Tuso During his 15-year journalism career, Pamenus has worked for various provincial, national and international media organisations. Currently, he is a correspondent for several international and local media organisations. He is a former Zimbabwe Union of Journalists national executive member. Pamenus has a Diploma in Journalism from the Christian College of Southern Africa and Online Media Management Certificate with the International Institute for Journalism in Germany.

Committee member: Ruth Butaumocho Ruth is a CNN award-winning journalist with 20 years of media experience reporting for a leading media house in Zimbabwe, The Herald. She is the current Managing Editor for The Herald, stewarding over 50 practising journalists on news reportage. Throughout her journalism career, Ruth has been covering women and developmental issues in and around Zimbabwe. Butaumocho holds an MSc. in International Affairs from the Midlands State University and has received extensive training from WIN-IFRA’s leadership training that mentors senior female journalists across Africa.

Secretariat

National Director: Tabani Moyo Tabani is responsible for overseeing the administration and programme implementation in line with MISA Zimbabwe’s strategic plan. Other key duties include staff supervision and fundraising as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with various organisations, including the government. The national director is also the organisation’s primary spokesperson. Currently, Tabani sits on the IFEX (a global network promoting and defending the freedom of expression) governing council on behalf of the MISA regional network.

Finance and Administration Manager: Ophias Kimbini Ophias develops and implements accounting and management systems for MISA Zimbabwe for the effective management of the organisation’s financial and human resources and efficient delivery of support to programme implementation.

Finance Officer: Taziva Simango Taziva assists the finance manager in supervising the finance department in the accurate and timely updating of books of accounts as well as preparing and assisting with compliance and annual external audits.

Programmes Co-ordinator: Nyasha Nyakunu Nyasha coordinates the planning and implementation of approved programmes and budgets in line with the vision of MISA Zimbabwe and also supervises the implementation of activities by all programme officers.

Regional and Fundraising Programmes Officer: Nqaba Matshazi

Programmes Officer, Legal, ICT Policy: Helen S Sithole Helen develops and delivers strategic legal interventions under the Media Defence Fund in the promotion and protection of freedom of expression and the right to information in Zimbabwe. She is also tasked with information and communications technologies sectors engagement to foster the exercise and enjoyment of freedom of expression, digital rights and the right to information. Programmes Officer,

Programmes Assistant: Chido Luciasi   

Assistant Administration: Chido Tauzeni Chido attends to MISA Zimbabwe administrative issues in consultation with the finance and administration manager. The position also provides administrative support to MISA Zimbabwe programme officers. [line] MISA Zimbabwe’s annual reports are available here.