ZNBC SHAKE UP: Grevazio Zulu Primed For DG; Kalani Muchima Eying Same Post… PF Strongman, Kennedy Bwalya, Transferred To Livingstone
Seasoned ZNBC journalist Grevazio Zulu is among the top contenders for the position of Director General at the national broadcaster.
Grevazio has crafted his own niche and many conservative senior citizens, and independent voices view him as a mature, consistent and professional scribe who has not easily aligned himself with the politics that engulf the institution and therefore deserves the appointment.
It is also believed that Grevazio has a favorable rating with his peers and the union at the institution which is crucial to harmonizing the operations.
However, the long serving journalist who is prominent for the Sunday Interview is being threatened for the top spot by UPND cadres like Kalani Muchima who have been frequenting State House to secure the appointment.
Muchima has been holding a series of meetings with State House Director of Communication Clayton Hamasaka so he could be appointed to the top position.
Other than a few UPND packages which were seen as fearless by the now ruling party, Kalani does not have a credible history of holding senior managerial position to handle the pressure and scale of responsibilities that come with being ZNBC DG.
Many believe should Kalani get the top ZNBC position, the culture of the institution staying the way it has always been is highly likely.
Kalani has a humble journalism pedigree with most of his experience at Prime TV being a junior reporter.
Other than Kalani, Grevazio is facing stiff competition from Diamond TV Chief Visionary Officer Costa Mwansa.
President Hakainde Hichilema has not hidden his affinity for Costa often describing him as a creative and industrious journalist behind closed doors.
President Hichilema is equally impressed with how Costa has transformed Diamond TV into an attractive and impressive media house having only been a Muvi TV employee less than 10 years ago.
But President Hichilema does not want to pick or influence the appointment of Costa and would rather the Jackson Kalala led board do an independent job to appoint the new ZNBC DG.
There are other positions vacant at ZNBC which include Director of Programmes previously held by Rose Chumpuka. Chumpuka had an extremely close relationship with fifth Republican president Michael Sata. There has been no explanation as to why her contract was not renewed.
Another position vacant is that of Director of Finance and Director Human Resource.
In the newsroom, Kennedy Bwalya – a well known PF strongman at Mass Media – is lucky to survive the chop.
However, he will no longer parade his green heart in the newsroom but has been given an opportunity to reform with an appointment as Head of the ZNBC Office in Livingstone.
Recently, civil society leader and lawyer Linda Kasonde remarked, “Grevazio Zulu is undoubtedly one of the best journalists that Zambia has ever had. He’s very understated yet cuts through to the crux of the matter. The past few years must have been mind-numbingly boring for him as all his interviews were with politicians and civil servants trying to advance a particular policy or government view point as opposed to real newsmakers. Last week’s Sunday Interview was very refreshing. The fact that someone like Pilato who is independent and opinionated was allowed on the show hopefully signals a return to what the Sunday Interview used to be about – good journalism. More of this please ZNBC! Well done Grevazio! Well done Pilato!”