daniel chigunwe
Herald Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Newspapers board of directors has announced the departure of chief executive Mr Pikirayi Deketeke, chief finance officer Mr Farai Matanhire and chief marketing officer Mr Tapuwa Mandimutsira who have all gone on leave while serving their notices of employment termination.
Group editorial executive Mr William Chikoto has been appointed the acting chief executive, while group financial controller Mrs Annah Kufakunesu has been appointed acting chief finance officer.
Zimpapers chairperson Mrs Doreen Sibanda said: “We are grateful for the dedication and commitment shown by Mr Deketeke, Mr Matanhire, and Mr Mandimutsira over the years. As they move on to new endeavours, we extend our heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for their future success.
“As we bid farewell to these executives, we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and continued success under new leadership.”
She said Mr Chikoto was well-positioned to steer Zimpapers through the transition period and its digital transformation due to his extensive experience and deep understanding of the company’s business.
On Mrs Kufakunesu, Mrs Sibanda said she had a wealth of financial expertise and a proven track record of driving financial performance.
“We are confident that her leadership will continue to uphold the high standards of financial management and strategic growth,” Mrs Sibanda said.
“Zimpapers is forging ahead with its digital transformation strategy and expanding its market presence to ensure sustained growth and innovation. Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and enhancing customer experiences remains unwavering.
“We are excited about the future prospects and the opportunities that lie ahead. We assure our stakeholders that the company is in capable hands and is poised for continued success.”
Mr Deketeke was appointed CEO in April 2015 and led the company through numerous milestones, which include diversifying the Zimpapers business from being a purely newspaper publishing and printing company to the integrated media group that it is now.
Mr Chikoto has previously served as Editor of The Sunday Mail and Editor of The Herald, two of the group’s flagship papers before moving to head office as group editorial executive.
He is also leading the group’s newsroom transformation project, a cornerstone of the digital transformation programme.
