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Mduduzi Mathuthu

Chronicle Reporter
CHRONICLE editor Mduduzi Mathuthu is leaving the paper today after two-and-half years. Zimpapers CEO Pikirayi Deketeke announced Mathuthu will become the new editor of The Southern Times, a joint venture between Zimbabwe and Namibia which is published out of Windhoek and distributed throughout the Sadc region.

Innocent Madonko, who was Mathuthu’s deputy, will be the acting editor.

In an e-mail to staff, Mathuthu said it had been an honour to work alongside them.

“Together, we set about — daily — producing a newspaper of the highest quality in the friendliest and happiest newsroom I’ve ever known,” Mathuthu said.

“It’s been a tremendous honour to be your editor and I’ve no doubt that you’ll continue with the finest traditions of this great newspaper and give the acting editor, Cde Madonko, the same professional application that has seen us put out some of the most incredible front pages and stories during my time here.

“I will miss all of you, fondly. But the good thing with our industry is that our paths will almost always cross again.”

Mathuthu, who became only the 24th editor of the 100-year-old newspaper in November 2013, also thanked Deketeke for his patience and readiness to embrace radical ideas.

He wrote: “The legendary former editor of Britain’s Guardian newspaper, Alan Rusbridger, perhaps captured the current challenge facing newspapers better than most when he said: ‘We all currently do our journalism in the teeth of a force 12 digital hurricane. It is surely obvious to anyone that changed circumstances will demand dramatically changed solutions.’

“In my time at The Chronicle, we pushed the envelope a bit because we believe in the print newspaper and every journalist must be driven to save the newspaper. In this, we had a willing partner in our CEO who also understands that the demise of the print paper can only be delayed, and delaying it requires new thinking and trying out what might appear at first hearing to be magnificently crazy ideas.

“I’m glad that Zimpapers is not only looking at keeping its print publications relevant for today’s reader but bold moves are already being taken to jump onto the digital train which is taking with it everyone.”

Mathuthu reflected on The Chronicle’s campaign against lenient sentences for child sex offenders as a most worthwhile cause.

“Parliament has stepped in and we’re now going to see the age of consent raised and child marriages banned. It was very satisfying to take the lead and steer public discourse on this very important issue. Protecting our children is the right thing to do, and penalties for those who abuse our children must be made to fit the crime,” he said.

Deketeke said: “I wish Mathuthu the best in his new challenging position as editor of The Southern Times and I’ve no doubt in my mind that he will rise to the challenge.”