Mathuthu booted out of Chronicle as Zimpapers makes senior appointments

Zimpapers group chief executive officer Mr Pikirayi Deketeke has made several key appointments aimed at positioning the media giant firmly on the print, publishing, broadcasting and digital platforms.

The appointments, said Mr Deketeke, were aimed at "pairing the right individuals with the right skills to the right portfolios that will take the business forward in the current tough operating environment".

Award-winning journalist and communications specialist Beatrice Tonhodzayi has been appointed public relations and corporate affairs manager for the company.

Tonhodzayi has worked with Zimpapers in different portfolios starting off as a reporter at The Herald and moving onto the company's first commercial radio project; Star FM at its inception in 2012 where she was heading News and Current Affairs.

Veteran radio personality, Leander Kandiero, has been appointed to the position of station manager for the company's latest radio project; Diamond FM; which was recently launched by the Minister of Information; Media and Broadcasting Services; Dr Christopher Mushohwe in Mutare.

Kandiero made his name when he started his career with ZBC's Power FM before leaving to join Star FM in 2012 as a senior producer/presenter.

Godfrey "Chief" Koti comes in as the company's marketing and social media manager responsible for pushing the group's products via social media platforms. Koti made his name as a sportscaster at Star FM where he was also Brand and Online Manager.

The Zimpapers CEO also announced the reassignment of Chronicle editor Mduduzi Mathuthu to become the new editor of The Southern Times; a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Namibia, which is published in Windhoek and distributed throughout the Sadc region.

Mathuthu has worked in London editing New Zimbabwe.com and is expected to use this international experience to correctly position The Southern Times.

Innocent Madonko; who was Mathuthu's deputy will be the acting editor at Chronicle.

"Business currently is about constantly thinking and identifying areas of growth. Business leaders can no longer afford to stay in a certain comfort zone when daily things are changing.

"We can no longer deny that technology has brought with it changes which have a bearing on our business; especially the media industry where we cannot afford to ignore the digital wave. Hence, we must be equal to the task; as you can see with how we have integrated broadcasting and digital into our business," said Mr Deketeke.