Takaona new community newspapers boss

Sunday Mail Reporter

Veteran journalist Mr Matthew Takaona is the new chairperson of the Community Newspapers Association of Zimbabwe (CNAZ), taking over from Mr Jasper Maposa, who resigned last week.

A statement from the association yesterday said Mr Takaona assumes his new role after serving under Mr Maposa as vice chairperson.

Mr Maposa assumed the organisation’s chair in November 2018.

CNAZ is a grouping of 18 publishers of community newspapers countrywide.

“According to the CNAZ constitution, the vice chairperson automatically assumes the chair position in such circumstances,” reads the statement.

“CNAZ has shown confidence in Maggie Mzumara by retaining her as national coordinator of the organisation.

“Takaona is a prominent journalist who has served in the media at the highest level as a Commissioner with the Zimbabwe Media Commission, president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) and a member of the Media Ethics Committee appointed by Government in 2002 to gather public views on the state of the media.

“He is also a founder member of CNAZ and of the Zimbabwe Voluntary Media Council.”

Mr Takaona is currently working as a consultant for the Masvingo Mirror, a regional newspaper operating in the southern region.

CNAZ was founded in 2009 to bring together, promote and support community newspapers from across the country.