MISA-Zimbabwe launches second journalist in residence

Last month MISA-Zimbabwe launched the second phase of its Journalist-in-Residence programme with veteran journalist Grace Mutandwa delivering a journalism lecture at the National University of Science and Technology’s Department of Journalism and Media studies in Bulawayo.

The lecture focused on the past and present structures of media in Zimbabwe and how this impacted freedom of expression dating back to the 1980s. The lecture was attended by more than 100 media students. Mutandwa shared her experiences about her career, which has spanned more than 18 years.

The first phase of the programme was launched last year and drew on the expertise and experiences of veteran journalist Bill Saidi as the inaugural MISA-Zimbabwe Journalist-in-Residence Fellow. During his fellowship stint, Saidi conducted journalism lectures throughout the country and also found time to write his memoirs, which will be published this month.

The project is designed to encourage senior Zimbabwean journalists to share their experiences with fellow professionals and members of the public through the writing of memoirs, blog posts and lectures, as well as mentor up-and-coming journalists.