Tich Mataz joins Channel Africa

Veteran Zimbabwean media personality Tich Mataz has officially joined Channel Africa, marking a new chapter in a broadcasting career that has spanned decades across the African continent and beyond.

Mataz, whose real name is Tichafa Augustine Matambanadzo, will host African Diaries, a late-night programme airing from 10pm to midnight. The show is expected to feature his signature interview style, offering in-depth conversations and African perspectives to a global audience tuning in to the South African Broadcasting Corporation's international service.

Widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most recognisable media voices, Mataz built his reputation through a dynamic career that has cut across radio, television, music production and entrepreneurship.

He began his broadcasting journey in 1988 at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation on Radio 3, now known as Power FM. His early career quickly expanded beyond Zimbabwe's borders, including a stint with Bop Broadcasting in Bophuthatswana in 1991.

In 1994, Mataz joined 5FM, one of South Africa's leading radio stations at the time. However, his stay in the country was interrupted in 1998 when he was deported following issues related to documentation.

He also became a household name in Zimbabwe through the popular Coca-Cola On The Beat music show on Zimbabwe Television during the 1990s.

Mataz's career has seen both significant achievements and challenges. He was suspended from Power FM in 2009 before returning in 2011, and later had stints with other platforms, including Star FM and South Africa's X-Stream Visual Radio.

His journey has also been marked by legal controversies, including fraud-related allegations that impacted his career trajectory over the years.

Despite these setbacks, Mataz has remained a prominent figure in African media, known for his resilience and ability to reinvent himself.

Beyond radio and television, Mataz has played a role in music production and artist development, contributing to the growth of the entertainment industry in Zimbabwe and the region.

Over the years, he has interviewed a wide range of influential personalities, positioning himself as a key voice in telling African stories from an African perspective—an approach that aligns with Channel Africa's continental and diaspora-focused mandate.

With his appointment to Channel Africa, Mataz returns to a major broadcasting platform, adding another milestone to a career defined by cross-border influence, adaptability and a longstanding commitment to storytelling.

His new programme, African Diaries, is expected to further amplify African voices while engaging audiences across the continent and beyond.