Veteran journalist Thomas Chidamba becomes village head in Mazowe

Veteran journalist Thomas Chidamba becomes village head in Mazowe

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Veteran journalist Thomas Chidamba has moved from the newsroom into traditional leadership after taking up a village head role in Mazowe, in Mashonaland Central, following the death of his father, Kedros Chidamba.

Chidamba, a senior journalist with more than 20 years’ experience and a former sub-editor at NewsDay, will now oversee responsibilities that include community development, dispute resolution and the preservation of cultural heritage in his ancestral area.

His appointment has attracted interest in both media and traditional leadership circles, largely because of his background in journalism and archaeology.

“I’m excited to bring my skills and experience to this new challenge,” Chidamba told NewsDay Weekender. “As a journalist, I was always looking for the story. Now I’ll be part of the story, working to build a better future for my community.”

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As village head, he is expected to mobilise development initiatives such as boreholes, road repairs, school upgrades and agricultural support, while also presiding over the local dare that handles disputes including land and family matters.

Chidamba holds a master’s degree in Archaeological Forensic and said the qualification would shape work to identify and protect pre-colonial heritage sites in Mazowe. He said plans include working with museums, universities and local youths to map and document historical locations.

“I believe my experience as a journalist and an archaeologist will serve me well in promoting development and good governance in our community,” he said. “Journalism taught me to verify before I act. Archaeology taught me that what we build today becomes what future generations dig up tomorrow.”

Village heads play a key administrative role in Zimbabwe’s rural areas, settling disputes, co-ordinating government programmes and safeguarding cultural practices.

According to the account, community elders welcomed Chidamba’s appointment, citing his research and communication skills as assets in modern rural governance.

Chidamba said his first 100 days in the role would focus on community consultations and mapping local development needs and heritage sites.

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