Memoirs of a WorkHerHolic:

The One with the Renowned Media Company

There couldn’t have been a better Genesis to my professional story than The Post! Even before I had decided that I was going to be a Journalist, there wasn’t a moment when I would see a copy of The Post and not feel the urge to pick it up and read its contents. To me, it was the best traditional media company of its time. So, when I decided that I was going to pursue a career in Journalism, it became my dream to work there someday.

Working at The Post, in the field of Journalism, came with so many perks. Just at the mention of being affiliated with them, Journalists were privileged to interview: Presidents, celebrities, and countless people with news-breaking stories. It became clear to me, from my first day, that I was in an environment that would allow me to bloom where I was – even before I stepped into university.

We can all agree that “no story was ever written alone”. As a rookie, many Journalists and Editors inscribed bits and pieces into my experience at The Post. People in the newsroom were always willing to let me shadow them, offer tips on how to interview and write compelling articles; they even went the extra mile to constantly encourage me and commend me for milestones – big or small.

Today, I’ve been published by eleven media companies (both locally and internationally), but I will never forget people like: Justinah Mukuka who was the first person to share her byline with me after I shadowed her during a news-breaking interview, or Joseph Mwenda who would take time out of his busy day to commend me for writing an article brilliantly when I doubted myself, or OLIVER CHISENGA and Ndinawe Simpelwe who literally drafted the questions of my first interview, or my absolute favourite masuzyo chakwe who was not only my direct Editor, but someone who looked out for me when I was found in compromising situations.? Truly, no story was ever written alone; and the dozens of stories I’ve written in my life all have traces of the Journalists who saw potential in me and played their part in cheering me on.

The Post was an adventure! One minute, I was interviewing Ministers; the next I was mingling with Artists. I suddenly had the privilege not only to a front row seat, but also to have face-to-face interactions with the Chipolopolo football players who won the Africa Cup of Nations. I shared tea with Politicians, shared platforms with CEOs, and stepped into rooms that I had previously only seen on TV.

But without glamourizing the profession too much, allow me to admit that Journalism has its dangerous side. I will never forget the day I phoned my mum thinking it would be the last time she would hear my voice. While attending a political meeting, cadres approached me and other Journalists. They hurled insults and rocks – forcing us into a stampede. Luckily, there was a refuge nearby. This day was the beginning of my advocacy for Press Freedom. I did a series of articles about Journalists with anecdotes of how they had been physically and emotionally abused simply for doing their job.

And there were days when you didn’t want people to know that you worked for The Post. You see, The Post was famous for its Investigative Journalism and some hated it for the fear of being exposed. Because of this, there were periods when the branding on our vehicles had to be stripped for the safety of Journalists. Yet still: we came, we saw, and we wrote compelling articles to inform the nation about the ‘truth on the ground’.

I worked for The Post from 2014 until 2016 – when it was shut down. In the two years that The Post was my professional home, I was nurtured, groomed and given countless opportunities to expand my portfolio. I started university after months of working for The Post, which made my first year at Rhodes University very practical. And while at university, when I was expected to work a compulsory 40 hours a year, I worked over 350 hours because The Post always welcomed me during my vacations. To me, it was not merely a media company; it was a place filled with people who saw potential in me and intentionally worked to see that potential come to life. So, like I said: there couldn’t have been a better Genesis to my professional story than The Post!