Popular television host Mai Chisamba honoured

Dr Rebecca Chisamba has been honoured with the Grand Master of the
Zimbabwe Order of Merit for her outstanding work.

The government has decided to bestow honours and awards to outstanding
citizens for their contributions to the nation with the aim of creating
a pool of inspirational role models for the wider citizenry considering
the challenges that the youth have to overcome in this era of dangerous
social vices.

Dr Chisamba who hosts the long running Amai Chisamba Show, was on Monday
presented with the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe, Silver by President
Emmerson Mangangwa at State House.

The Award may be awarded to any citizen that distinguishes themselves in
areas of academic research, business, economics and social services.

Dr Chisamba joins other recent recipients of the same award that include
the Angel of Hope Foundation run by First Lady Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa and
three other individuals namely Dr Sikhulile Moyo, carrear diplomat Mary
Mubi and Dr Agnes Mahomva who were honoured for their outstanding
service to the nation.

Her citation said Dr Chasamba, who is also the Zimbabwe Tourism
Authority’s Domestic Tourism Ambassador, has been at the forefront of
informing, educating and advising the nation for almost four decades
with her shows broaching numerous subjects that the Zimbabwean community
is grappling with.

These include HIV and AIDS, female dressing, health problems related to
public hygiene, the phenomenon of child-headed families, moral
decadence, evolving gender roles, poor performance of the Zimbabwe
national soccer team and gender-based violence among others.

Dr Chisamba started as a teacher with the Audio Visual Services
Department of the then Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture
presenting radio lessons. She latter traded that role for a part-time
position with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services (ZBC) AM Zimbabwe,
where she hosted shows such as Mhuri Pachinyakare, Mabhuku neVanyori,
Masamanisi and Kukwira Gomo before breaking into television to host
Today’s Woman/Mudzimai Wanhasi/Umama Wanamuhla as a stand-in.

Later she became the sole host leading to the show’s name changing to
Mai Chisamba Show.

She left the ZBC when, together with her husband; they formed Chisamba
Productions and Media Consultancy which continues to run the Amai
Chisamba Show. The show has been held at many different locations in the
country giving it a national character and has also attained an
international flavor after it was held in Canberra, Sydney and Perth in
Australia, and in Manchester, England.

“Her productions continue to provide space for people to air their views
on societal issues,” read part of the citation.

“Amai Chisamba also runs a successful column called Mudzimba with Mai
Chisamba in the Sunday Mail, in which she engages with Zimbabweans on
marital and related issues.”

In addition to the latest award Dr Chismaba has won 36 other local
awards in recognition of both the importance and quality of her work.

New Ziana