ZUJ elects new leadership

Michael Chideme takes over from Alpha Media's Dumisani Sibanda as new leader of the union after beating Zi FM staffer Perfect Hlongwane with one vote during the secret ballot polls. He will be deputized by Mkhululi Sibanda (Chronicle) and Emmanuel Mavata (Zimbabwe Community Radios Association of Zimbabwe) who were duly elected unopposed.

Foster Dongozi retained his Secretary General's post also unopposed and so did Evince Mugumbate on her Treasurer's portfolio.

Brenna Matendere (The Zimbabwean) Regis Chingawo (Freelancer) Godfrey Mtimba (The Standard) Ovidy Karuru (ZBC) and Hlongwane were elected committee members.

The gender mainstreaming commitee will consist of Thabani Dube (The Zimbabwean) Edmore Maravanyika (Freelancer) and Bridget Mananavire (Daily News).

Senzo Moyo (Star FM) was elected as the union's Welfare and Training officer while Nduduzo Tshuma (Chronicle) and Stephen Chadenga were mandated to assume roles of Organising Secretary and Deputy Organising Secretary respectively.

In his acceptance speech, Chideme said the new executive will work to better working conditions of journalists and also guarantee their safety while in line of duty.

"We want conditions of journalists to match those of their regional counterparts while they also work free of fear of victimisation or arbitrary arrests by police.

"We are also going to ensure that issues of sexual harassment of female journalists are addressed and perpetrators brought to book," he said.

This year's ZUJ congress managed to make fundamental amendments to its constitution that will allow trained and professional members to contest in key leadership posts instead of opening up the positions to bogus members.