Mai Chisamba (born Rebecca Tsirikirayi, 21 October 1952), is a Zimbabwean businesswoman and talk show host.[2][3]
Mai Chisamba | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rebecca Tsikirayi 21 October 1952 Bindura, Zimbabwe |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, host |
| Spouse | Anorld Chisamba[1] |
Early life edit
Chisamba was born in Bindura, Zimbabwe, in a family of seven. She attended Bindura Salvation Army Primary School before attending Usher Girls High in Matabeleland. Chisamba received teacher training at Howard Institute.[4]
Career edit
Chisamba was a teacher and she became a radio teacher under the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, through the encouragement of her then headmaster, Mr. Douglas Sanyahungwe. She was invited for auditions at ZBC through the ministry and she ended up hosting her own show on the national broadcaster. That is how she made her debut as a television personality. She is known for hosting The Mai Chisamba Show, a popular talk show on ZBC TV.[5] Chisamba's show talks about many issues, which includes health, marriage, sexual relationships and more. She was the only Zimbabwean hosting a Shona language talk show in the days that the English language was dominant in Zimbabwe.[6][7]
Chisamba has a newspaper column to which people can send letters on marital issues and social issues.[8][9]
In 2018 she was made the domestic tourism ambassador by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority[10] and the same year she headlined her show in Birmingham.[11][12]
She is also a philanthropist, helping raise funds for and donating goodies to the less fortunate. She is a supporter of the Maunganidze Children's home in Chitungwiza. [1]
Personal life edit
Rebecca is married and has 5 children and several grandchildren. One of her daughters, Gamuchirai Chisamba works on the Mai Chisamba show as a Graphic Designer. [2]
Awards and honors edit
Chisamba has won various national awards, including:[13][14]
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Communicator of the year | Won |
| 2007 | Best Television Woman Presenter | Won |
| 2008 | Best Television Presenter (NAMA Awards) | Won |
| 2010 | Outstanding Woman In Zimbabwe | Won |
| 2011 | Longstanding Talk show (Victors Awards) | Won |
| 2012 | Outstanding Woman of Mass media for Gender Equality | Won |
| 2012 | Superwoman for Advice and Mentoring | Won |
References edit
- ^ Zimbowa, Wellington. "Kunonga is not my lover: Mai Chisamba". The Standard. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
- ^ Murwira, Shorai (8 December 2017). "#16DaysofActivism: Profiling Rebecca Chisamba". 263Chat.
- ^ "MAI CHISAMBA : THIS IS THE TIME TO BOND".
- ^ Chronicle, The. "Mai Chisamba comes to Byo". The Chronicle.
- ^ "Mai Chisamba Australia-bound". 26 February 2019.
- ^ "'Loner' Mai Chisamba says proud of her Shona talk shows". 25 March 2019.
- ^ Thompson, Katrina Daly, 1975- (2012). Zimbabwe's cinematic arts : language, power, identity. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-253-00656-1. OCLC 823387747.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Mail, The Sunday. "Saving marriages one letter at a time". The Sunday Mail.
- ^ "Mai Chisamba Flies To Australia, Chakachaya!".
- ^ Chronicle, The. "ZTA ropes in Mai Chisamba as tourism ambassador". The Chronicle.
- ^ Chronicle, The. "Mai Chisamba Show …Will go on as long as I live, says Dr Chisamba". The Chronicle.
- ^ "UK: Mai Chisamba, Tilda Moyo headline She Festival". 1 August 2013.
- ^ Mail, The Sunday. "Mai Chisamba wins award". The Sunday Mail.
- ^ "2012 – Newsmakers and Noisemakers". 30 December 2012.
