. Sikainda

SHE has compiled a résumé as a reporter in the field of journalism that cannot go  unnoticed.
Zambia’s television journalist Pennipher Sikainda-Nyirenda continues to add accolades after her works were recognised by Cable News Network (CNN) journalist award last year.
The vibrant, lively journalist has now scooped another outstanding award at the Fifth Gender and Media Summit held in Namibia.
She was 1st place in the Television category and was followed by runner-up Avinash Bissoondoyal from Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation.
Pennipher’s journalism career dates back to the early days after completing her secondary school at Libala High School and further pursued studies in journalism at Evelyn Hone College and later at the University of Zambia.
She then worked for private radio and TV stations, Radio Phoenix and Muvi Television respectively.
Pennipher is currently a practicing journalist with the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) in Lusaka and specialises in news coverage and documentaries covering a cross-section of themes that include business, gender and environment.
At ZNBC, she works under the Current Affairs Unit which has a mandate to produce news documentaries and doubles as a TV presenter as well as news anchor.
She says the award is a significant achievement and marks the first international recognition for her works.
“It gives me the desire to keep working hard in order to advance my career and make it on the international stage and ultimately attain my dream of working for CNN. Beyond the joy it brings to me as an individual, my family and the ZNBC team; it is a significant recognition to a brighter hope for Zambia and Africa,” She said.
The youthful journalist hopes that both boys and girls will be protected from many ills that include early/forced marriages and other vices that hinder their progression.
She says particularly for the fact that the summit was hosted under the theme “Empowering women in and through the media providing a voice for gender equality”.
Pennipher explains that the conference looked at initiatives to empower women in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, the SADC Protocol on Gender, the Gender and Media Progress Report and the Freedom of Expression of Women.
This can only be achieved if the media which she is part of can continue highlighting these vices and promote interventions that can stop them.
She is grateful to World Vision Zambia which is a key partner in the coverage of the early marriage problem that was highlighted in the documentary that won the award.
The documentary was filmed in Nchelenge of Luapula Province.
Pennipher’s career goal is working for CNN and her role model is Christiane Amanpour who is CNN’s celebrated female journalist who has been to the war front in the Middle East, Iraqi war to be specific.
Other winners were Thoko Chikondi from Nation Publications Limited, an award winning Malawian photojournalist, who won in the Photojournalism category and Joseph Mwale from Nation Publications.
Also in the winning category includes Limited of Malawi for the Print category whose runner-up was Jairos Saunyama from News Day in Zimbabwe, Aurelie Gabriel from Radio Kwizera FM, Tanzania who got the Radio category and Nathalie Didier from Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation a radio presenter as runner-up.
She adds that in the Leadership category, Ts’epang Ts’ita-Mosena from BAM Media, Lesotho picked up the award with Tshwelelo Mogotsi from GabzFM of Botswana a content editor covering online and broadcasting media as runner-up.
The determined journalist is married to gospel musician Nathan Nyirenda.
Pennepher’s accolade is a clear indication that SADC target of 50/50 representation of women in all sectors can be attained.