Robson Mhandu
| Robson Mhandu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Robson Mhandu Zimbabwe |
| Alma mater | University of Zimbabwe |
| Employer | ZBC |
| Known for | Being a journalist |
| Spouse(s) | Patience |
| Children | 4 |
Robson Mhandu is an award-winning Zimbabwean veteran journalist who works for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation as Director of Radio Services.[1] In the 2013 elections, Mhandu competed unsuccessfully to be a legislator for Chitungwiza North Constituency as a Zanu-PF candidate.
Personal Details
Robson Mhandu grew up in Chikomba district in the Sadza area. He is a member of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. [2]
Mhandu's father was a general worker in a parastatal.[2]
Marriage: Wife is Patience. [2]
Children: He and his wife have four children; two boys and two girls. [2]
School / Education
Primary and secondary: Kwenda and Sadza secondary schools for his Ordinary Level education before attending Harare High School for Advanced Levels.
Tertiary: University of Zimbabwe, graduated with a BSc Honours in Sociology degree in 1990.
Master’s in Business Administration degree from Success Institute in South Africa in 2002 and has several certificates in media and management obtained between 1997 and 2012. [2]
Service/Career
Mhandu worked for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation from 1991 to 2010. He joined ZBC as a junior officer and rose to middle management and left as a general manager.
He joined the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority as head of marketing and corporate services in 2010, before being engaged by Kalamazoo Business Systems Group International in 2012. [2]
Mhandu also worked as Director of Marketing and Business Development for Zimbabwe Open University.
In September 2018, Mhandu rejoined ZBC as Director of Productions and Television Services. [3]
Politics
In an interview with The Herald, Mhandu said he joined Zanu-PF in 1983 while still at Kwenda Mission. When he moved to Harare, he said he actively participated in Zanu-PF youth activities in Chitungwiza and at the University of Zimbabwe.
After leaving the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in 2009, Mhandu was co-opted into the executive of Seke 1 District in Chitungwiza, Harare Province, after serving in the cell and branch structures. He was elected unopposed to the position of secretary for finance for the district the same year.[2]
In the 2013 Elections, (see A History of Zimbabwean Elections) Chitungwiza North returned to Parliament:
- Godfrey Sithole of MDC–T with 8 071 votes or 51.85 percent,
- Robson Mhandu of Zanu PF with 6 507 votes or 41.81 percent,
- Angella Chigonero of MDC–N with 829 votes or 5.33 percent,
- 2 others with 158 votes or 1.01 percent.
Total 15 565 votes
Events
Awards
In 2016, Mhandu won the Megafest Business Awards "Outstanding leader in Marketing Award". [4]
Controversy
Mhandu was reportedly suspended by ZBC in September 2023 after he allegedly pestered female presenter, Farai Juliet Magada, for sex in order to approve her transfer request from Bulawayo to Harare. The sexual harassment was revealed in an audio recording of their meeting in his office at Pockets Hill. Two audio recordings of 18 minutes and 3 minutes, as well as 14 screenshots of WhatsApp messages, between the two, exposed the scandal.[5]
References
- ↑ ZBC Board & Management, ZBC, Published: No Date Given, Retrieved: June 9, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 I bring brand of qualitative leadership: Mhandu, The Herald, Published: July 25, 2013, Retrieved: June 9, 2021
- ↑ Sly Media Productions, Facebook, Published: September 3, 2018, Retrieved: June 9, 2021
- ↑ Zimbabwe Open University, Facebook, Published: September 7, 2016, Retrieved: June 9, 2021
- ↑ Desmond Makondora, ZBC suspends Robson Mhandu in bombshell sexual harassment probe, ZimLive, Published: 29 September 2023, Retrieved: 30 September 2023
