By Innocent Mujeri

…as the Board is resuscitated after 20 years of hibernation

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed six individuals as Trustees of the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust (ZMMT) with effect from 10 February 2020, Harare Post can report.

The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Publicity, Mr Nick Mangwana, in a statement yesterday.

“In accordance with the Mass Media Trust Founding Deed of 1985 and its amendment, His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed the following as Trustees of the Zimbabwe Mass Media Trust with effect from 10 February 2020,” said Mr Mangwana in a statement.

The appointed were Mr Honour Piniel Mkushi (Chairperson), Mr Thomas Amos Ganda Sithole, Mr Phatisani Nyathi, Ms Patience Gawe, Ms Charity Charamba and Proffessor Ngwabi Bhebhe.

The appointments take effect from 10 February 2020.

The Board is now composed of well experienced personnel who have vast knowledge in fields such as law, media, business and history.

The Chairperson, Mr Mkushi, is a renowned Advocate of the High Court of Zimbabwe, Member of the International Bar Association and Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of 10 Boards of private companies in Zimbabwe.

Professor Bhebhe is the first Vice Chancellor of the Midlands State University and he has previously served as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe. He is also a historian of repute.

Ms Gawe is an Assistant Senior Directing Staff at the Zimbabwe National Defence University and she is a holder of Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Development Studies and Mass Communication.

Charamba is a former police spokesperson and is a retired Police Commissioner. She has a Master’s degree in International Relations and a BA in Media Studies among other several qualifications qualifications.

The other trustee Mr Nyathi is a veteran educationist, renowned author and former Public Relations Officer for Bulawayo City Council. He has a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree.

Mr Sithole is the first editor of the Chronicle and currently he serves as the Chairman of the Zimpapers Board.

The appointments show that President Mnangagwa values gender equality as shown by the appointment of two women.

According to New Ziana, ZMMT is mandated to manage state media and related companies outside the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

The ZMMT was dormant for almost 20 years until President Mnangagwa chose to breathe life into it with the appointment of six trustees.