I have been astonished by the exceptional growth that NewsDay has experienced since it hit the streets on June 4 last year.
Being part of the core editorial team that kick-started NewsDay in December 2009, this has no doubt been an unforgettable experience.
It is an experience I liken to that of giving birth, something every woman cherishes. It is painful, but worth the while.
The initial editorial team included Ishe Dondo, a graphic designer, Moses Mudzwiti, the then Managing Editor, Tangai Chipangura as News Editor, Valentine Maponga, Kelvin Jakachira and Feluna Nleya, who were Senior Reporters, and Aaron Ufumeli an award-winning photojournalist.
We did not have many resources to ensure smooth running of our operations that time, but because we were so eager to see yet another daily newspaper on the streets, we made the best of the little that was available.
I was employed as a Chief Sub Editor whose task was to ensure that we produced a quality newspaper, with properly laid-out pages and eye-catching headlines.
NewsDay started off as a four-page insert of the Zimbabwe Independent and The Standard, both weekly tabloids within the Alpha Media Holdings stable, which also owns NewsDay.
This had happened because NewsDay had not been licensed to operate as a newspaper, a situation that prevailed for nearly seven months.
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There was so much uncertainty and tension within the newsroom about the licensing matter and when the newspaper was finally registered by the Zimbabwe Media Commission, there were cheers of joy from this group of people.
It was a relief for all of us. This also meant that more people would have to be employed to ensure that the newspaper would meet the needs of our intended readership.
With Vincent Kahiya at its helm, the newspaper ushered in a new era that brought hope to the many journalists who had lost their jobs following the introduction of repressive media laws that resulted in the closure of some independently-owned newspapers.
We sometimes worked 16 hours a day and getting home after midnight had become normal. I was later transferred to the Features and Supplements Editor portfolio as more and more journalists were employed to beef up the initial skeleton staff.
Kamurai Mudzingwa took over as Chief Sub Editor. NewsDay has made me experience true freedom of expression and association in the most remarkable way.
Journalism should be meaningful, satisfying and challenging. I believe in writing to make a difference and accomplish what I really believe in.
Everything about working for NewsDay is fun . . from reporting, picture-taking, interviews, writing comment, analysis and features — everything.
I have been accorded unlimited space to express gender issues.
Women’s rights are human rights enshrined in the Human Rights Charter which deserve space in the news media because women constitute over 52% of Zimbabwe’s population.
The feedback I get from readers is what gives me the urge to continue writing.
I am so proud of being part of this successful project and my hope is for it to become the first choice for Zimbabwe’s enthusiastic newspaper readers.
NewsDay newsroom is a mixed bag of journalists from diverse backgrounds and varied years of experience.
We have managed to draw all these experiences to come up with a solid and balanced newspaper.
That combination is what has made NewsDay what it is today.
