Celebrating broadcasting trailblazer Maria Masoka

This month, the world celebrates extraordinary women making remarkable strides, and among them is Maria Nombulelo “Mntase” Masoka, a seasoned radio broadcaster and station manager of Khulumani FM, who continues to make her mark.

Born and raised in Marhawane, Mbembesi, Matabeleland North, Masoka has over two decades of experience in radio broadcasting.

A proud Xhosa woman, she is breaking barriers in the broadcasting scene, proving that excellence knows no boundaries. She has navigated various roles in the industry, covering topics ranging from politics to entertainment.

Referred to by many as “Mntase”, a shortened form of mntasekhaya, meaning homeboy or homegirl, Masoka began her career at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s National FM. She was among the station’s pioneers, working under the leadership of the formidable “iron lady”, Phathutshedza Manala, who was the station manager at the time.

Despite never envisioning a career in broadcasting, Masoka grew up as an ardent radio fan, listening to the likes of Mr Cool (Kudzi Marudza) on the then Radio Three and James Maridadi. In fact, she was set to become a temporary teacher at Emqwashini Primary School in Umguza district when fate intervened. A relative heard a radio advertisement calling for presenters proficient in indigenous languages and encouraged her to audition.

“I was preparing to join our local primary school as a temporary teacher while waiting for my A-Level results when I got the opportunity to audition in Harare.

“At first, I was nervous and struggled to follow studio instructions, but the then-executive producer at Pockets Hill, Elias Mange, helped me loosen up. The audition was on a Saturday, and by the next day, I received a call saying I had made the cut and was shortlisted. I couldn’t believe it.

“What scared me the most was that most of my peers were armed with diplomas and degrees, while I only had a birth certificate and an O-Level certificate. The rest, as they say, is history,” she recalled.

Masoka later served in ZBC’s News and Current Affairs department as an anchor before joining Khulumani FM in 2018. From starting with just an O-Level certificate, she has since obtained a Diploma in Public Relations and a Degree in Media Studies.

Her appointment as Khulumani FM’s station manager last year marked a major milestone in her career — one she attributes to divine intervention.

“He (God) says in the book of Jeremiah, ‘I knew you while you were still in your mother’s womb and anointed you.’

So, again, because my time was about to come, God did it for me. He moved people around – some got promoted, others left for greener pastures – and that created a space for me,” she shared with Chronicle Showbiz.

Masoka’s leadership style is built on empathy, passion, dedication and humility. She believes in empowering her team and fostering a collaborative environment.

“I lead a very vibrant and supportive team, which makes it easy for the station to grow. We’re a team of young, talented, and strong producers/presenters, and our motto is: ‘When we win, we win together. When we fail, we fail together.’”

Under her stewardship, Khulumani FM — now celebrating its seventh anniversary — achieved a first as they managed to broadcast live from outside the country, with a ground-breaking event in South Africa. From March 6 to 7, the Khulumani FM team conducted four live broadcasts, hosted a music concert, and facilitated a workshop in the neighbouring country.

Masoka described the experience as “stepping into a larger world, where every broadcast becomes a bridge connecting hearts and cultures across borders”.

Deeply rooted in her culture, Masoka has actively participated in programmes promoting the IsiXhosa language in Zimbabwe and was part of the team that translated the country’s constitution from English to IsiXhosa. Her moniker, “Mntase”, is not just a name — it embodies her spirit of community, resilience, and cultural pride.

As a woman in broadcasting, Masoka sees Women’s History Month as a time for reflection and celebration.

“This month is especially inspiring to me, as it brings to mind the legacy of Matabeleland queens like Queen Lozikeyi, whose leadership and vision continue to inspire and impact my work today.”

To her younger self, Masoka would say: “All things are possible with hard work, dedication, focus and discipline.

Embrace every opportunity, knowing that challenges are just stepping stones to growth. Miracles happen when you persevere.”