Until his death from malaria in April 2009, Nkosona Mpofu was a respected journalist in Hwange, a coal-mining town in northwest Zimbabwe. He was a freelance correspondent for the independent Zimbabwean radio station Voice of the People (VOP), and also produced a small community weekly newspaper called The Nation, which employed two other local journalists and several freelancers.

A long-time member of MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa), Nkosona also served as the organisation’s Advocacy Officer in Hwange, campaigning for media freedom, diversity and pluralism – a tough job in Zimbabwe, which has one of the worst records on press freedom in Africa.

Nkosona and his wife Nokuthula Lunga had two children, Fortunate 13 and 10-year old Valentine.  Nkosona was the family’s main breadwinner and after his death they were suddenly left without an income.  An emergency grant from the Trust helped with essential food and supplies but Nokuthula was aware that she needed to find a way of supporting her family long-term and, with the help of family and friends, decided to take over the running of The Nation.   

The newspaper is now the family’s only source of income and whilst it is running reasonably well, money is still tight. To help Nokuthula make the newspaper a solid, long-term business, we have put her in touch with local partner organisations who offer specialist advice and guidance. We have also provided a second grant – to cover the costs of the children’s school fees – as Nokuthula works to establish a secure and stable income for her family’s future.