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TWO Chronicle reporters and a staffer with its sister paper B-Metro scooped prestigious awards at this year’s National Journalism and Media Awards (NJAMA) ceremony held in Harare on Thursday.
The three reporters got cash prizes, certificates and hampers.
Thandeka Moyo, who came up top in the maternal health category, wrote a winning entry on a woman who died at Mpilo Central Hospital while giving birth.
The death triggered an inquest and even though her husband blamed the institution, the magistrate blamed the state saying there were no resources at the hospital.
The citation for her award read: “Instead of focusing on the general analysis in maternal health, she took a different angle and wrote about a woman who lost a wife at Mpilo while giving birth. Maternal deaths affect everyone and it will be good for all reporters to have an open mind like this one and explore creative angles to maternal health stories.”
Moyo said: “This is my eighth journalism award and I am humbled to have come this far. Many thanks go to God, my colleagues at work, mentors and sources who make me what I am”.
Sukulwenkosi Dube, The Chronicle’s Plumtree Correspondent, won the Child Rights Reporter of the year award.
Her citation read: “This reporter wrote an article on a rapist who was tormenting villagers. She then went on to look at the effects which saw children being withdrawn from school. She went on to write an article on the effects of rape titled ‘Post Trauma Support lacks for victims’. She wrote a series of stories which many reporters do not do.”
Dube said it was an honour to know that one’s efforts are being recognised and appreciated.
Gibson Mhaka of B-Metro won the Energy Reporter of the Year award and his citation said while some reporters focused on the scandals rocking Zesa, the reporter looked at the solution to Zimbabwe’s power deficit. Mhaka, in an article he wrote for The Chronicle, noted that the country has been struggling with power generation yet it boasts of some of the world’s greatest solar energy opportunities.
The guest of honour, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere , who is the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, said journalists were critical in the country’s development and urged them to be responsible in their reportage and desist from being targets of manipulation.
The Minister also pledged to ensure that journalists get residential stands and houses.
Fungisai Mashavave-Zvakavapano was the director of ceremonies while comedian Clive Chigubhu provided entertainment.
Online Reporter