JOHN MASUKU
The Cool, Sly Broadcaster Respected By The UN
By Tapfuma Machakaire 11/2/2023
John Masuku, who is one of the first black Zimbabweans to become a broadcaster, is a character that most journalists find difficult to understand.
He is among those of his age group who adopted the British dress code. If not in a suit he will be smartly dressed with a shirt, jacket and necktie no matter the occasion. When he interacts he always puts on his trademark broad smile often accompanied by a funny giggle.
But never make the mistake to dismissing him for just another push over character.
Masuku has taken his journalism practice to another level. He set up his own platform, the JM Archives, where he stores information about iconic characters, his work colleagues, friends, and relatives and about himself. JM Archives has become a recognised research platform for media practitioners and he takes pride in it.
On social media platforms, Masuku posts updates of almost every activity he is involved in and he always includes photos.
Masuku is the man who was appointed by UNESCO as the 2023 World Radio Day Coordinator. World Radio Day, which is commemorated annually on February 13, was proclaimed in 2011 by the Member States of UNESCO and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day. The event, which this year is running under the theme Radio and Peace, brings people together and provides vital information to communities.
Announcing the appointment, Mirta Lourenço Chief Media and Information Literacy and Media Development for UNESCO said, “I take pleasure in informing you that John Masuku joins us as the 2023 World Radio Day Coordinator. He has decades of Broadcast Journalism experience, mainly in radio but also including stints in television news reading, program anchoring and newspaper feature writing.”
Lourenco said Masuku was selected from dozens of candidates who applied for the job which was widely advertised on different media platforms.
Masuku was to coordinate from Harare World Radio Day activities for all radio stations in member countries of the United Nations and would also spend some time at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, said Lourenco.
His duties include undertaking strategic planning, identifying key opportunities for the event and coming up with key campaign moments and champions. He would also prepare campaign guidelines.
The task also involves leading and supervising a dedicated website and prepare infographics, press kit, banners, news stories, tweets and other media elements. Masuku would oversee the production of materials in the six UN official languages which are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian.
Accepting the appointment, Masuku pledged to give his best to the task ahead. “I pledge to perform to the best of my ability in respect for my very supportive family, country and the worldwide radio community.” said Masuku.
Commenting on the appointment, media expert Tawanda Majoni said Zimbabwe has every reason to celebrate the recognition given to Masuku as the move puts the country on the world map of broadcasting.
“We must all wish John a successful and rewarding stint as the coordinator. His recognition by UNESCO must also inspire our government, industry and other stakeholders to acknowledge and reward local talent, experience and contributions by our own veterans,” said Majoni.
John Masuku was born on 10 December 1955 at Harare Hospital. He attended Kudzanayi Primary School and Highfield Secondary in Harare where among his teachers were the late former education minister and historian, Aeneas Chigwedere, and the late renowned soccer administrator, Ndumiso Gumede.
At Highfields Secondary Masuku was a member of Young Writers and Debating Clubs. He was also on the editorial board of the school newspaper, The Elephant. He also wrote articles for Terera (Listen), the school magazine.
In 1974 Masuku was recruited by the late Amon Nyamambi and Dominic Mandizha into joining the Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation in Salisbury. Among the early black broadcaster he found at the station were Luke Mnkandla and John Matinde.
The team was later joined by other broadcasters who include Maguire Godzongere, Ray Chirisa, Clement Maphosa, Cephas Chimanga, Masimba Musarira and Lisbern Nasasara.
Masuku soon assumed extra duties as television presenter on a current affairs programme on TV Mashonaland. At Independence in 1980 he was transferred to the News Department as a Sub Editor and Newsreader. In 1982 Masuku was tasked to establish Radio 4 now National FM under Rev Stanley Nyahwa who was deputised by Mavis Moyo. He held posts of general manager of ZBC’s four national radio stations and Controller Montrose ZBC Station in Bulawayo.
In the year 2000 Masuku clashed with the then Minister of Information and Publicity in the President’s Office, Professor Jonathan Moyo, when he said he supported the idea of opening up of the airwaves. Moyo insulted Masuku accusing him of sympathising with agendas of imperialists. Masuku remained cool but he was to become a victim of the purge at ZBC through a special operation orchestrated by minister Moyo which saw the entire top brass at the national broadcaster and more than four hundred others being laid off in 2021.
Upon leaving ZBC he was appointed Executive Director of an independent radio station Voice of the People (VOP) where he trained and worked with young journalism graduates from colleges in the country.
Masuku currently works as a media consultant, radio trainer and part time television presenter for an independent production house Medianet on a weekly programme Economic Forum aired on ZBC.
Masuku holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Administration from the University of Zimbabwe, a Master of Philosophy in Journalism degree from Stellenbosch University, South Africa and a diploma in Marketing from the London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) UK.
He attended radio production courses at the BBC in London and at Radio Deutsche Welle in Cologne, Germany. He has also attended broadcasting and media training programmes in Hungary, Singapore, and South Africa. In 2013 Masuku was honoured with the Press Freedom Award by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA).
Masuku, who is in the habit of writing, has published numerous articles about radio broadcasting trends in Africa. From year 2000 he has been a correspondent for Radio World International through which he has contributed dozens of articles on radio program content, management, technology, sustainability and ownership issues.
Masuku is the founder of BES, a Journalism and Media Studies college in Zimbabwe’s second capital, Bulawayo which has produced some of the prominent podcasters in the country.
In 2018 Masuku was appointed spokesperson of the Motlanthe Commission of Inquiry.The Commission which was chaired by Former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe was set up by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to probe the post-election violence that left at least six people dead after the July 30, 2018 Elections.
John is married to Agnes Dziruni. The wife is an accountant with the City of Harare. The couple has three daughters, one son and eight grandchildren.
Is it not worrying that the United Nations saw qualities in the legend John Masuku that officials in Zimbabwe are failing to appreciate in veterans of its Fourth Estate, the media?
