Judul : Zaba: The Unyielding Voice of Change
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Zaba: The Unyielding Voice of Change
For over thirty years, Faith Zaba has been at the forefront of Zimbabwean journalism — bold, resolute, and steadfast in her quest for truth.
This week, as she appeared in court dealing with charges of "insulting or weakening the President" due to a humorous article, the country is reminded not only of the editor being investigated, but also of the remarkable woman whose impact on journalism, democracy, and national progress is truly significant.
Zaba serves as the editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, the nation's top business weekly, and is recognized as the first female to head the newsroom in the publication's almost 30-year history.
Nevertheless, her pioneering journey started well before she assumed leadership. Upon joining the Independent in 2009 as political editor, she made history as the first woman to occupy a high-ranking editorial role at the publication.
For many years, she climbed the ladder — serving as senior political editor, news editor, and deputy editor — constantly shattering barriers in a journalism world that has historically been male-dominated.
Her professional journey, which is now in its 33rd year, includes work in print, digital, radio, and television, within both public and private media outlets. She spent ten of those years at Ziana, which was once Africa's leading news agency, where she progressed from a junior reporter to an assistant editor.
Within the private media sector, she has dedicated 23 years to influencing national conversations, with 16 of those years at the Independent, where she reported on some of Zimbabwe's most significant historical events.
Her journalistic reputation is well-known. She uncovered international news about the killing of former Democratic Republic of Congo president Laurent Kabila, providing detailed accounts long before social media enabled instant reporting. Her reliable political coverage, frequently created with other top investigative journalists, gained such impact that Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF party once prohibited members of its politburo from carrying mobile phones into their meetings due to concerns about information leaks.
Brave, thorough, and committed to her values, she has gained national and regional acclaim, reaching a peak with her designation as the 2022 Africa Laureate for the esteemed Women in News Editorial Leadership Award — an honor given to the continent's most influential media figures.
Her courage has not shielded her from hostility. Zaba has weathered social media attacks, intimidation and pressure, yet she has remained resolute. Her resilience has become a lifeline for younger journalists who see in her not just a leader, but a role model who demonstrates that women, too, can shape the national narrative with authority and integrity.
Outside the newsroom, Zaba's impact is strongly evident in the community sphere. She serves as a trustee of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe, was previously a board member of both Misa Zimbabwe and Transparency International Zimbabwe, and is part of the global Women in News Guild — a group of senior female editors and publishers from Africa, South-east Asia, and the Arab region shaping the future of international media.
One of her longest-lasting contributions is her mentorship efforts. In 2021, she established the Womentorship Programme alongside the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), providing organized skill development and professional guidance to emerging female journalists.
So far, the initiative has equipped almost 450 young women throughout Zimbabwe. In an industry known for its sexism and sexual harassment, Zaba has emerged as a support for those affected—providing therapy, advice, and a secure environment for women dealing with gender-based violence in newsrooms.
Her activism reaches influential publications. In 2023, she created "Coming Out of the Shadows: The Untold Stories of Sexual Harassment in Zimbabwe’s Media," an innovative investigation that highlights the experiences of survivors supported by FNF.
She has also created campaign messages regarding sexual harassment for the informal sector as part of the Just City – Sexual Harassment Complaints for Bulawayo, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) initiative.
Via FNF's Human Rights Hub in Geneva, she wrote Unseen & Unheard: LGBTQIA+ Struggles for Equality in Zimbabwe, bringing national discussions to areas previously seen as off-limits.
Her leadership extends into political arenas. Collaborating with FES, she has provided training to young leaders from Zanu PF, Citizens Coalition for Change, trade unions, student organizations, and civil society on communication and political messaging.
This year, she took it a step further — coaching female lawmakers, senators, and council members to enhance women's representation in public policy and political affairs.
Zaba's objective has always been straightforward: to create a more knowledgeable, fair, and transparent society. From uncovering dishonesty, pushing for changes in media, guiding emerging journalists, or supporting female leaders, her efforts have continually reinforced Zimbabwe's democratic structure.
Zaba possesses a certification in Mass Communication from Harare Polytechnic College and a Master of Arts in International Communication from Macquarie University located in Sydney, Australia.
She also earned a Media Management certificate from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa.
Zaba has participated in a rigorous training initiative organized by anew, a leadership and organizational development company located in Cape Town, South Africa.
"My path has never been a straightforward one or a tale of easy achievement," she stated before the trial.
"It has been a tale of perseverance, of experiencing significant setbacks, rising again, and continuing forward despite the overwhelming burden. Since graduating in 1992, I have worked in newsrooms that were both motivating and challenging. I have dealt with workplace bullying, online harassment, sexual misconduct, and discrimination—anything you can think of. There were times when the stress from work clashed with family duties, and the emotional strain led me to depression. More than once, I questioned whether it was all worth it," she said.
"When I entered the media industry 33 years ago, our aspirations were influenced by the constraints of that time. We were prepared for traditional newsrooms, instructed to follow a strict hierarchy and informed that if we worked extremely hard and luck was on our side, we might eventually become editors. However, the reality is this: for women, the path to the top isn't a ladder. It's a staircase—steep, twisting, and tiring. Men often begin on the fourth floor since an elevator is already there for them. We start at the ground level, climbing each step manually, in high heels, frequently while carrying children on our backs. Each promotion demanded double the effort, double the patience, and triple the emotional strength. I never thought I would achieve these heights. I only hoped to survive. I only wished to keep my voice intact," she said to the Independent.
With her trial approaching, her legacy grows stronger than any accusation. Faith Zaba is much more than an editor. She is a trailblazer, a protector of rights, a creator of national awareness, a guide, a survivor, and a steadfast advocate for press freedom.
In Zimbabwe, her story serves as a reminder that genuine journalism continues to be a symbol of hope and a demonstration of bravery.
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