By Wezhira Munya
Harare- The Zimbabwean media industry is in mourning following the passing of celebrated journalist Lucy Yasini, who died on Monday at St. Anne’s Hospital in Harare. She was 58 years old.
Yasini, known for her fearless reporting and unwavering commitment to her craft, had been unwell for some time before her untimely death. Her best friend and colleague, Anna Chibamu of New Zimbabwe. com, expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“Lucy was a hard worker and always ready to assist her colleagues in any way she could,” Chibamu said. “Having known her for over a decade, I feel empty because she was my sister, best friend, and mentor. I am still in shock, trying to cope with this great loss.”
Yasini had an illustrious career spanning more than three decades in the broadcasting industry, starting with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) in 1991. She later worked as a correspondent for SABC Channel Africa and the Voice of America’s Zimbabwe service.
Chief (Mambo) Svose, one of the Change Radio Directors and a prominent figure who had worked with Yasini, paid tribute to her contributions to the media landscape in Zimbabwe. “Lucy was one of the most respected journalists, and she played a vital role in the establishment of Change Radio, the only citizen radio station in the country,” Svose said. “She was selfless and contributed greatly to the struggle in her own quiet way.”
In addition, the pro-Chamisa top lieutenant, Honourable Gift Ostallos Siziba, paid his condolences to Yasini’s family and wrote on his X space, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist Lucy Yasini. Lucy was renowned for her kindness, honesty, and professionalism – traits that inspired many in the media space. May her soul rest in peace. Lala ngokuthula, sister Lucy.”
Yasini’s dedication to her profession was not without its challenges. On August 14, 2016, she was brutally beaten by police while covering a President Morgan Richard Tsvangirai’s MDC youth protest that turned violent in Harare. Despite the attack, Yasini remained undeterred, continuing to report on the issues that mattered most to her community.
Explaining her ordeal, Yasini said she was beaten up by police while covering the youth protests that turned violent, with police throwing teargas into the crowd and demonstrators retaliating by throwing stones. At first, the police officers told her to run, but then one of them started beating her up with a baton stick, and she could not comprehend why she was beaten even after having shown the police her press card.
Yasini’s colleague, a seasoned journalist Chibamu, was also present at the protest and experienced the same police brutality, starting to vomit, feel weak, and dizzy. This caused the police to stop beating Yasini.
The challenges faced by female journalists in Zimbabwe are well-documented, with reports of beatings, harassment, and detention by security forces. Yasini’s experience highlighted the dangers and obstacles women in the media industry often encounter in Zimbabwe. Yasini was a multilingual journalist who dedicated her life to amplifying the voices of the Zimbabwean people. Her legacy as a trailblazer and champion of press freedom will be remembered by all who knew her. She is survived by her two children, who have lost a beloved mother and friend.
