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By Lovemore Chazingwa
The journalism profession is sometimes viewed as a no-go area for ladies who envisage tying the knot and living a respectable married life.
For long society and reserved perception have dissuaded their female offspring from marrying a scribe, abused by the misconception that journalists are wayward personalities who mix and mingle with varied characters some of which are untoward.
The worst case is forbidding a child from enrolling for a journalism course or following in the practice due to those beliefs.
Within the media fraternity in the country, a host of practicing female reporters are impressive torchbearers. They may have joined the profession as single birds assuming new brand identity within the corridors of duty.
Bridget Sibanda-Madzimure, Prisca Manyiwa-Masuku, Fatima Bulla-Musakwa, Sifiso Mpofu-xhaka, Vicky Mlilo-Maponga have shown the way.
For Vicky, she has been on the main news reading desk for some time with words in some circles suggesting she was to tick the single box on forms for a long time. However, in recent times, her surname has changed from Mlilo to Maponga.
Another ZBC tv newscaster Bridget Sibanda who came into the fray as a single lady has added Madzimure to her official identity, thanks to the newfound love of her life.
Sibanda-Madzimure is normally on the vernacular ZBC newscasting slot.
One Kwekwe based freelance journalist was once upon a time referred to as Miss Manyiwa. Now the brand Masuku precedes her nomenclatural identity meaning, this is her newly established surname as all formalities have been done.
Sunday Mail Religion editor Fatima Bulla has found a new home in the Musakwa clan resulting in her identified as Fatima Bulla-Musakwa.
Another shining light in marriage armour, Sifiso Mpofu assumed a home in the Xhaka tribe. She has been Matebeleland South national broadcaster correspondent for some time now. Before her newfound toast, she was known only as Sifiso Mpofu but, now one can hear her proudly sign off reports with the Mpofu-Xhaka nomenclature.
Asked for a comment Pricsa Manyiwa-Masuku has this to say, “It’s actually a misconception that female journalists cannot get married and settle. Although my marriage is barely two years old, I might not have much to say about this issue because I do not have much experience. I think issues of settling down have nothing to do with your profession whether a journalist, teacher, or any other. You can settle well, your profession notwithstanding.”
She reckons that marriage comes with responsibility.
“Your errands are not too tied to anyone when you’re still single. All that changes the moment you get married. Moreso, if you are blessed with offspring. For me, I cannot complain as my husband is very supportive,” she said.
The five case ladies are not the only ones who have defied odds and proved to all and sundry that journalism is no profession for loose morals, nonetheless, a job like any other. It takes the character of an individual to achieve what they want in life and not be pulled down by the societal stereotypes which may breed the flip side connotations.
