Introducing AJMS 2024 Speakers
The 2024 edition of the Africa Journalism and Media Summit will be held in Harare from 13–14 November under the theme “Reinventing Local Journalism in the Age of Disruption.”
We are excited to present this year’s remarkable line-up of expert speakers for the 2024 Africa Journalism & Media Summit (AJMS). Bringing together a diverse range of practicing journalists, media professionals, academics, government representatives, and civil society leaders, our speakers offer deep insights and extensive experience in addressing the dynamic challenges and opportunities facing African journalism today.
Explore the summit program here.
From groundbreaking media innovators and seasoned reporters to staunch advocates for press freedom and influential voices in journalism education, these thought leaders are driving meaningful change across the continent. They will spearhead discussions on urgent topics like combating disinformation, reinvigorating local journalism in an era of disruption, reporting on climate change, and exploring the powerful role of AI in journalism.
Explore the concise bios of our trailblazing speakers below, who will make AJMS 2024 an unforgettable event.
Dr Christopher Nehring is a researcher, analyst and journalist. Has been researching disinformation, manipulation and secret services for over 10 years. Author for Tagesspiegel, Deutsche Welle, NZZ, Spiegel and other German media. Passionate about AI and disinformation.
Lesley Moyo is a seasoned journalist and media professional with over 15 years of experience across print, online, and broadcast journalism. With a rich background in media and communications, Lesley has developed expertise in media research and training, writing and editing, media liaison, and communication strategies. He is currently serving as the Editor for the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITEZW).
Musikilu Mojeed is the editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper, which he co-founded. He is also co-founder of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), formerly The Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ). A winner of several awards, Mojeed shared the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for his ICIJ team’s groundbreaking reporting on the Panama Papers. Mojeed holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, and a master’s degree in journalism from The City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism. He is the chair of the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Bathabile Dlamini is a strategic communications professional dedicated to using media to drive social change. She is also a documentary producer and specialises in development communication and social journalism. Bathabile has founded initiatives such as Student Run Networks and Community Connect ZW — which promote inclusive participation and support community development. She currently works with the Accountability Lab as a media and communications specialist. Bathabile holds an Honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies from the National University of Science and Technology.
Michael Gwarisa is the founding Editor for HealthTimes, Zimbabwe’s leading online health news publication. He is equipped with over 10 years of media experience. A Certified Public Health Journalist with the Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH), and Africa CDC CPHIA Public Health Journalism Fellow (2023–2024). Michael has won several Health Journalism Media awards in Zimbabwe and the African region and has been featured on various news platforms in Zimbabwe and globally where he spoke on several Health issues affecting the African region.
Vera Chisvo is a versatile artist and advocate with a focus on youth empowerment and inclusivity. She has excelled in music, acting, and arts programming, gaining recognition through awards and international performances. Vera’s work often centres around social issues and has played a key role in various arts organisations, spearheading gendered programming and creating opportunities for marginalised communities. She currently is the Digital X Program Lead at Magamba Network, where she oversees their open data and journalism project Open Parly. Through her own creative hub, Incubator ZW, Vera continues to support emerging artists and promote cultural initiatives.
Pilate Machadu is the Group CEO of Jester Media Services Group, the holding company for 3Ktv, Financial Gazette, Business Live, The Daily News, Daily News on Sunday, and Printco. He is the former Chairperson of the Advertising Media Association (ADMA) and the former deputy Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Advertising Research Foundation (ZARF) board. He is a former Super Brand and Exceptional Marketing Awards adjudicator. He served on the CZI Marketing Committee. Pilate is an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). He is also a member of the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe.
Nigel Nyamutumbu is a media development practitioner, serving as the Coordinator of a network of media professional associations and media support organisations, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ). He has over a decade experience leading media law and policy advocacy interventions, journalism capacity building initiatives and regional exchange programs.
Unique Chiza Zimuto is a Development practitioner, Co-Founder of Central Plus Media, Digital Content Producer, Documentary Producer and Director, Co-founder of a Video Game Company and Programs Manager of Heart and Soul Broadcasting Services -managing over 20 TV programs for the past 5 years on a digital platform with over 1 million subscribers. She was selected to be the first youth representing Zimbabwe at the Global Thinkers Forum and she is actively mentored by Femi Oke a journalist and talk show host from Al Jazeera (Washington D.C).
Lenox Mhlanga is the chairman of the Zimbabwe Centre for Media Literacy. With over 23 years of experience in the media industry and communication space, he also sits on the boards of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Association for Business Communicators, MAZ Charity Foundation and Nozizwe Mother of Nations Charity Trust. He is considered a thought leader in his profession and writes columns in leading news platforms. Lectures at tertiary level and is passionate about the growth and survival of the media sector.
Nokuthula Manyathi has a decade-long media career, working in digital, print and broadcast newsrooms. She is the multimedia editor at News24 (South Africa’s most trusted news brand as awarded by the Reuters Institute, 2019–2024), where she spearheaded the publication’s audio department. Work produced through the hub has won several awards, including a gold and bronze statue at the New York Festivals Radio Awards. In 2022, she was chosen by the Online News Association as one of 26 women globally leading change and innovation in journalism. As a reporter, her investigative work exposed a Christian cult masquerading as a mission station and a ring of sports coaches with predatory behaviour at elite schools in South Africa. She’s a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Her home language is isiZulu; she is fluent in English and conversational in Afrikaans and German.
Pretty Chavango is a journalist; content producer and the founder of a media startup Izwi_Voices that focuses on humanitarian issues in marginalized communities with a bias towards natural resource governance and climate change issues.
Theresa Takafuma is a qualified journalist with 10 years’ experience in the newsroom. She is currently the News Editor/Content Manager for TellZim News, a digital newspaper that covers the Southern Region of Zimbabwe. She has experience in community engagement, media policy advocacy and citizen journalism training. She has participated in change initiative projects to lobby for the implementation of new Zimbabwean media laws, specifically the Freedom of Information Act. She served as a committee member and later Secretary General for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Provincial Advocacy Committee for Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
Tawanda Majoni is the founder and director of Information for Development Trust (IDT), a Zimbabwean non-profit organisation promoting public sector accountability through investigative journalism, research and advocacy. For close to a decade, he has coordinated investigative reporting projects and collaborations spanning Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa and is currently the president of the Network of African Media Practitioners against Corruption (NAMPAC) that brings together journalists from all of Africa’s five regions. He has more than 24 years’ experience as a journalist and editor in and outside Zimbabwe, also doubling as a media trainer, mentor and newspaper columnist.
Clare Cook is the Head of Journalism and Media Viability at International Media Support, a Danish NGO, and unit lead for JHub. She has worked for ten years in the regional and national UK press, winning awards for investigative journalism. Clare is an active business viability advisor, mentoring media through Local Media for Democracy in Eastern Europe, Georgian Independent Media Accelerator, and COPIL Burkina Faso, the Engaged Journalism Accelerator and more. She is an experienced innovator taking, most recently, two concepts through product development to market in 2023: one AI tool to increase content productivity for Baron Media and another to generate new revenues for the UK independent news sector through supply chain sales. She works on innovation roadmaps with a dozen media annually through her complementary role as senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire where she heads the master’s level of the journalism innovation and leadership programme. Clare is an experienced researcher who has published in international media and business journals. She is lead researcher on the Public Interest News Foundation Index, and contributes to numerous international research projects of digital natives such as Project Oasis. She represents IMS internationally at key global events such as GFMD and launched the Media Viability Manifesto alongside DW Akademie and FPU. Her expertise is primarily focused on media sustainability, through the lens of revenue models. Her PhD is on the revenue model of web natives.
Chris Kabwato is the founder and director of Digital Arts Africa, a media and entertainment consultancy company based in Johannesburg. For over 15 years he was the director of the Highway Africa Conference at Rhodes University, South Africa. A past director of the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF), he has consulted for various local and international organisations on topics as wide ranging as media sustainability; media freedom; and disinformation and elections in Africa. Chris currently serves as the convenor of the annual Sanlam Summer School for Financial Journalists which takes place in October/November in South Africa. He holds an MA in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University.
Alastair Otter is a journalist, programmer and editor with more than 20 years’ experience in print and digital media. He is the co-founder of Media Hack Collective, a data journalism team in South Africa with which he has won numerous local and international awards for data journalism and visualisation. He is the editor of The Outlier, an independent publication focused on visualising key issues in South Africa and Africa.
Brighton Ncube is a Media Personality, host of This Morning on Asakhe X spaces with Asakhe Online. He uses new media technologies to report community stories. He is also the Co Director and Co Founder of an online media start up — The Women’s Commune — which leverages AI to educate, inform and raise awareness on Climate change issues affecting Peri Urban areas and Rural Areas.
Sizani Weza is Public Engagement Specialist at the United States Embassy. He joined the United States Embassy in 2006 as Press and Media Coordinator. Since 2021, Sizani now works with think tanks, civil society organisations and professional training institutions to lead the Embassy’s public engagement efforts in freedom of speech, media sustainability and emerging technologies. He started his career as Research and Advocacy Officer at the Media Monitoring Project and has worked for the Embassy of Sweden. He holds degrees in Psychology, Media and Communication Studies and Development Studies.
Sean Ndlovu is the co-founder and product manager at the Centre for Innovation and Technology in Zimbabwe, an esteemed online media house known for its high-quality content. Specialising in generative AI applications within newsrooms, Sean also serves as a Media and Literacy trainer and AI developer with a keen interest in civic tech. He conducts training programs and consults on AI integration for newsrooms. Additionally, Sean guest lectures at the National University of Science and Technology, imparting his expertise in AI journalism, misinformation, disinformation, and the fact-checking process.
Sihlobo Bulala is the Editor and Programs Lead at Community Podium, where she brings a passion for storytelling and community engagement to the role. With a background in journalism and media studies and using a wide-range of platforms, Sihlobo strives to create indigenous compelling narratives that drive social change, ensuring that diverse voices from marginalised communities are amplified.
Farayi Machamire is a Zimbabwean journalist with over a decade of experience, recognized as Zimbabwe Sports Journalist of the Year in 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2017, and Southern Africa Sports Journalist of the Year in 2016. He co-directs Kukurigo Information Services, the country’s largest WhatsApp news platform, delivering news to over 420,000 subscribers daily through a unique, accessible distribution model. Farayi is also committed to conservation. His work, featured on Mongabay and Independent UK, has contributed to efforts aimed at protecting wildlife.
Jean Nyaradzo Mujati has 25 years experience in the development sector having worked with local and international organisations that support civil society. Since 2015 Jean has specialised in media development with Fojo Media Institution first with the Zimbabwe programme and for the past three years also as manager for the Sub-Saharan Africa programme. Jean’s career has spanned from Zimbabwe to South Africa and she studied postgraduate abroad at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom. Jean works remotely with a multicultural team and has had the rich experience of working with colleagues from across the world over the years.
Makhosi Sibanda is a media sustainability advisor at Internews, an international media development nonprofit organisation. With a career spanning over a decade, Makhosi has made significant contributions to the media landscape in Zimbabwe. His diverse experience includes roles in public print, commercial radio, community broadcasting, digital newsrooms as well as academia since 2009. Makhosi is recognized as a seasoned media trainer, renowned for his outstanding media entrepreneurship programmes that have catalysed the establishment of grassroots media ventures in the underserved regions of Matabeleland and Midlands. Passionate about research, Makhosi focuses on journalism practice and audio media, with a notable portfolio of peer-reviewed journal articles. His academic journey includes a master’s degree in journalism and media studies, and he is currently pursuing an MBA as well as a Ph. D in media studies, further enriching his expertise and commitment to advancing the media sustainability field.
Churchill Otieno, a leading journalist with 23-years’ experience in digital media, is currently involved in various projects to enable new media business models as a way of securing and sustaining public interest journalism. He is the President of The Africa Editors Forum (TAEF), the Executive Director of the Eastern Africa Editors Society (EAES), chairs the Steering Council of the Africa Media Convention, and is a member of the Board of Industry Advisors to the Journalism Innovation & Leadership programme at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. He is a former President of Kenya Editors’ Guild and a former Managing Editor for Digital at Nation Media Group. He specialises in newsroom leadership, digital transformation, and media regulation. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications and at Moi University.
Divine Dube is a dynamic news leader with over a decade of experience in media and journalism. As the co-founder and curator of the Africa Journalism & Media Summit, he has successfully led six editions of the event since its inception in 2018. An entrepreneurial journalism creator, he has built award-winning local news ventures, including The Citizen Bulletin and The Republic. Divine is currently a Journalism Innovation and Leadership scholar at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, UK, where he is exploring new strategies to build a sustainable future for local journalism.
If you’d like to learn more about the summit, email us at ajms@zcmil.org.zw. Meanwhile, you can follow us on Facebook and X for regular updates.
