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Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa presents the Njama award to Chronicle Senior Features Reporter Yoliswa Dube while Ms Doreen Chari, Nestle Zimbabwe public relations manager, looks in Harare on Thursday night

Chronicle Reporter
JOURNALISTS from The Chronicle continue to fly the Zimpapers flag high as two of them scooped awards at the National Journalism and Media Awards (Njama) in Harare on Thursday night.

Senior Features Reporter Yoliswa Dube and perennial winner Thandeka Moyo were the only female journalists to get awards at the event.

Dube received the Nutrition, Health and Wellness Journalist of the Year Award sponsored by Nestle Zimbabwe and walked away with a cash prize, a Nestle hamper and a certificate.

Moyo got the gong for Maternal Health Reporter of the year sponsored by UNFPA, pocketing a cash prize and a certificate.

She got her award in absentia as she is out of the country.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) took the opportunity to raise awareness about baby Manqoba Mabhena who needs a new liver in India at a cost of about $43 000.

Corporates immediately responded to the plea for help with NetOne pledging $5 000.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said journalists were an important cog in the country’s economy.

Describing the journalism fraternity as the Fourth Estate, VP Mnangagwa said journalists were key in boosting investor confidence in Zimbabwe.

While their role should be impartial, said VP Mnangagwa, journalists play a critical role towards ensuring the country develops.

Turning to skirmishes between police and journalists where media professionals are sometimes assaulted or have their equipment confiscated, VP Mnangagwa said the actions by police are not sanctioned by the Government.

“Government does not condone violence and I can assure you, the harassment of journalists is not sanctioned by the Government. There is Press freedom in Zimbabwe and journalists should be allowed to discharge their duties freely,” said VP Mnangagwa.

Among those who attended the event were the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, Permanent Secretary Mr George Charamba, diplomats, businesspeople and journalists.