Rhodesian journalists to tour Britain

The Rhodesia Herald,

May 28, 1965

FOUR Rhodesian journalists will arrive in London on June 3 for a four week tour of Britain, during which they will see the British press and television at work, reports the London Press Service.

They are Mr K G Brokensha, political correspondent of The Rhodesia Herald; Mr P Chidyausiku, editor of the Catholic monthly, Moto; Mr A Kanyowa, a court reporter of The Rhodesia Herald and Mr E L Rissin, an assistant editor of Chronicle.

The journalists will be met by representatives of the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Central Office of Information who are organising the tour.

They will visit the Commonwealth Correspondents’ Association for discussions on the organisation, functions and aims of the association and lunch at the London Press Club in Fleet Street on their first day in Britain. They will also visit the Commonwealth Press Union.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

 Other than on-site formal training, exchange programmes are recognised as an important aspect in any journalist’s professional growth and development.

 They were also used as “train the trainer” programmes. Sometimes this was successful, while in some cases, it remained a one-person experience.

 The exchange programmes  journalists undertake to other countries enable them to have an insight into how others operate and see the production and printing services.

 The interaction with international journalists from different publishing houses, widen journalists’ horizons and helps create synergies.

 Before Covid-19, journalists were now going for exchange visits to countries like China, Kenya, South Africa, etc.

 ICTs are now enabling journalists to have that experience virtually. This is not only cost effective, but more people from one media house can participate and tailor-make their operations to suit local conditions.

 The likes of Paul Chidyausiku were black pioneers in the media industry who reported the Zimbabwean narrative during a very difficult period. 

 Chidyausiku was also a polished Shona author, who wrote poetry, short stories and novels. He was the founding Editor of Zimpapers’ Shona newspaper Kwayedza.