NEPOTISM STRIKES AGAIN AS MNANGAGWA APPOINTS NIECE TO ZBC BOARD

Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has made a decision that has sparked anger across the country. He has appointed his niece, Helliate Rushwaya, to be the new chairperson of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) board. This move is causing many to accuse the government of choosing family over merit. It is not the first time that people have noticed how Mnangagwa often gives important jobs to those close to him, instead of selecting people based on their skills.

Helliate Rushwaya is not stepping into an easy job. Her family is well-known, and many feel that this appointment is not based on her ability. Martin Rushwaya, who is her relative, is already working as the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet. Another relative, Henrietta Rushwaya, is a businesswoman who has been linked to controversial activities. Critics say these appointments show that the government is more interested in helping friends and family rather than running the country properly.

The announcement of the new ZBC board was made by Jonathan Gandari, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services. The announcement came at a difficult time for the broadcaster. The board also includes Advocate Lewis Uriri, Chipo Nheta, Precious Charandura, Charles Munganasa, Dr. Henry Mukono, and Dr. Nanette Silukhuni. This follows the removal of the previous board led by Dr. Josaya Tai.

The previous board was dismissed because of problems with how ZBC was being run. Dr. Josaya Tai’s board included Thomas Bvuma, Tsitsi Dangarembizi, Dorothy Mabika, Devnanda Popatla, Reverend Thompson Dube, and Brian Mutangandebvu. Helliate Rushwaya was also part of the former board. The problems with this old board included failures in performance and governance, which led to its removal.

One of the major incidents that caused public anger involved ZBC presenters, Farai Juliet Magada and Victoria Manase. They made remarks that upset many people, claiming that King Lobengula Khumalo, a 19th-century Ndebele State ruler, had sold Zimbabwe to Britain for sugar. This was incorrect and offensive, as King Lobengula is known for fighting against British colonization. These remarks brought out an even bigger issue with Zimbabwean media, which is often accused of spreading propaganda and wrong information.

In response to the presenters’ remarks, the Ministry of Information has asked media houses and journalists to be careful with their reporting. They urged them to avoid spreading untrue stories and stereotypes that can divide the nation. Jonathan Gandari stressed the need for media outlets to follow journalism rules by sticking to facts and reporting truthfully. He said that this was important for the unity of the country.

Helliate Rushwaya’s appointment is seen by many as not just a new job but as a symbol of a bigger problem in Zimbabwe’s media world. She now faces the challenge of fixing the damaged image of ZBC. The broadcaster has lost a lot of trust due to the mistakes of the past. For Rushwaya and her team, the job ahead will not be easy. They need to bring back the trust of the public and ensure that the broadcaster provides accurate and responsible news.

People both in Zimbabwe and around the world will be watching closely to see how ZBC performs under its new leadership. The hope is that Rushwaya will help the broadcaster improve and become a source of good, truthful information. However, as long as people see this appointment as an act of nepotism, it will be hard to gain the full trust of the public. The road to a trustworthy media in Zimbabwe remains tough, and this appointment has only added to the concerns that many already have.

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