A trio of big winners

Faith Mandizha

AS International Women’s Month ends today, H-Metro celebrates some fine Zimpapers women, who were among nine Zimbabwean winners in the Ladies In Media Awards held in Ghana recently.

The three Zimpapers women, who won the continental awards, are H-Metro’s Blessing Malinganiza, Patience Nhamburo of ZTN and Miss V Candy from Star FM.

The three spoke about what the awards mean to them.

Blessing Malinganiza — Best African Female Sports Reporter

“I’m grateful for the support and winning this means a lot to me and my career. This shows that my work is being recognised and appreciated, and l plan to inspire other upcoming journalists, especially female sports writers. 

“Being a woman in sport is very difficult as some people assume that I’m not good enough but, through the support of my editors and family, l have managed to pull through.” 

Miss V Candy — African Female Radio Personality of the Year

“I feel so honoured, blessed and it’s so encouraging to be recognised continentally. 

‘‘This means the work that l am doing is not going unnoticed and winning on a continental level really means so much to me. 

“Nothing can substitute hard work, and l am encouraged to keep pushing, working and impacting the community at a national and continental stage at large. 

“Winning this award now transforms me into a regional brand. As women, we are being marginalised and being recognised means a lot to me and there are a lot of stereotypes surrounding women in the media and l am happy I was recognised purely based on my hard work and sweat.”

Patience Nhamburo — Outstanding Female Reporter

“I feel very humbled by winning such an award. It’s my first award since I joined the industry five years ago and getting recognition outside my country means I am doing something right and my work is reaching a wider audience.

“Winning this award has boosted confidence in my craft. From here it’s upwards only and in a few years, God willing, I would be glad to get an opportunity to work with regional and international media houses. 

“As a woman, being recognised in such an industry clearly shows that we are just not in the newsroom for gender balance, but we are putting in the work and taking up our space and the world is watching.”