Zenzele Ndebele

Zenzele Ndebele is a Zimbabwean journalist, documentary filmmaker, media entrepreneur and human rights advocate. He is best known as the founder and director of the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), an independent digital media organization based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

He has built a reputation for documenting Zimbabwe's history, particularly the Gukurahundi atrocities, promoting freedom of expression and giving marginalised communities a platform to share their experiences. His work has also contributed to the development of digital journalism and community-focused reporting in Zimbabwe. In December 2024, Ndebele received a Human Rights Tulip award from the Netherlands Embassy in Zimbabwe, recognising his work on human rights, access to information and accountability for Gukurahundi.

Early life and background;

Zenzele Ndebele is Zimbabwean and is associated with Bulawayo, where he has spent much of his professional career. His interest in journalism and documenting Zimbabwe's history was influenced by his experiences growing up during the 1980s. His childhood encounters with soldiers during the Gukurahundi period contributed to his interest in understanding and documenting the events. Over the years, he developed an interest in recording the experiences of survivors, former liberation war combatants and communities whose stories had received limited attention in mainstream media. His work has particularly focused on preserving historical accounts and creating opportunities for affected communities to speak about their experiences.

Education;

Ndebele's professional profile identifies him as having studied at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe between 2010 and 2012. He has developed his professional experience in journalism, media production, entrepreneurship and media consultancy.

Career in journalism;

Ndebele began his media career through community-based broadcasting initiatives. In the early 2000s, he produced community radio programmes and distributed recorded segments on cassette tapes through commuter transport. The initiative became known as Taxi Tunes and attracted interest from local audiences who wanted news and information reflecting their communities. As social media and digital publishing developed, Ndebele recognised the opportunity to use online platforms to reach wider audiences. He began working towards establishing an independent media organization that would focus on stories affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.

His early work helped establish his interest in community journalism, digital communication and alternative ways of distributing information.

Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE);

In 2015, Ndebele co-founded the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), an independent digital media organisation based in Bulawayo. He serves as its director. CITE was initially established to document the Gukurahundi atrocities and preserve the experiences of survivors and people affected by the events. The organisation later expanded into a wider digital news platform covering political, economic and social developments. Under Ndebele's leadership, CITE has developed a strong focus on community journalism, freedom of expression, accountability and access to information.

The organisation uses digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and its website, to distribute news and engage audiences. CITE has also invested in reporting on issues affecting communities in Matabeleland, particularly stories that receive limited attention from larger media organizations.

Documentary filmmaking and Gukurahundi research;

One of Ndebele's most recognised contributions has been his documentary filmmaking and research into the Gukurahundi atrocities of the 1980s.

He has spent many years collecting testimonies from survivors, families and individuals affected by the violence. His documentaries seek to preserve historical accounts and encourage public discussion about justice, accountability and national healing.

Some of his notable documentary productions include:

1. Gukurahundi: A Moment of Madness (2008) This documentary explored the Gukurahundi atrocities through eyewitness accounts and testimonies. It was among Ndebele's earliest major filmmaking projects and sought to break the silence surrounding the events.

2. Gukurahundi: Genocide – 36 Years Later (2017) This documentary examined the events and their impact several decades later. It included interviews with people who experienced the violence and explored the historical circumstances surrounding the atrocities.

3. I Want My Virginity Back: A Story of Rape During Gukurahundi (2020) This documentary focused on the experiences of women who suffered sexual violence during Gukurahundi. It brought attention to the experiences of female survivors and the need to document their stories.

The documentaries have contributed to preserving survivor testimonies and making historical information accessible to wider audiences. Academic research by Jocelyn Alexander at the University of Oxford has also examined Ndebele's documentary work as part of Zimbabwe's broader efforts to document Gukurahundi and pursue historical accountability.

Digital journalism and media innovation;

Ndebele has also contributed to the development of digital journalism in Zimbabwe. Through CITE, he has supported the use of technology to make news more accessible and improve community participation in journalism.

During Zimbabwe's 2023 general elections, CITE expanded its digital coverage by providing election updates, candidate interviews, livestreams, debates and public discussions. The organisation also introduced an artificial intelligence news presenter called Alice, which was developed to assist its newsroom with news production and digital content distribution. CITE's election coverage included profiling political candidates, explaining electoral processes and providing information about political parties to help citizens make informed decisions. The organization also collaborated with other media and civil society organizations to organize election debates in Bulawayo and Gwanda.

Its approach demonstrated Ndebele's interest in combining traditional journalism with emerging digital technologies.

Human rights advocacy;

In addition to his journalism career, Ndebele is recognised for his involvement in human rights advocacy. His work has focused on freedom of expression, access to information, historical accountability and the rights of marginalised communities. He has been particularly involved in efforts to ensure that the experiences of Gukurahundi survivors and affected families are documented and acknowledged. Ndebele has also been associated with the Matabeleland Collective, a network of civil society organizations and churches working on issues affecting communities in the region.

The network has engaged with national leadership on matters including Gukurahundi, national healing and devolution. Through his journalism and advocacy, Ndebele has helped create opportunities for communities to participate in conversations about Zimbabwe's history and future.

Awards and recognition;

2024 Human Rights Tulip Award Awarded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in recognition of his work promoting human rights, access to information and accountability for Gukurahundi. In December 2024, Ndebele received the 2024 Human Rights Tulip Award at a ceremony in Harare. The award is an international recognition established by the Dutch government to honor individuals who work to advance and protect human rights.

He was recognised for his contribution to giving marginalised communities access to information, documenting human rights violations and advocating for justice for Gukurahundi victims. During his acceptance remarks, Ndebele dedicated the award to families whose relatives disappeared during Gukurahundi. He also emphasised that the recognition was not only a personal achievement but also an acknowledgement of the wider work of human rights defenders. The award brought international recognition to his work and highlighted the importance of documenting Zimbabwe's history and protecting freedom of expression.

Professional profile;

Ndebele's professional work spans several areas, including: • Journalism and news production. • Documentary filmmaking. • Media entrepreneurship. • Digital media innovation. • Human rights advocacy. • Community journalism. • Historical documentation and research. • Media training and consultancy.

His work has primarily focused on Zimbabwe, particularly Bulawayo and the wider Matabeleland region.

Legacy and contribution to Zimbabwe;

Zenzele Ndebele has established himself as an important figure in Zimbabwean independent journalism and documentary filmmaking. Through CITE, he has helped expand access to community-focused news and created a platform for stories that might otherwise receive limited public attention. His documentary work has contributed to preserving testimonies about Gukurahundi, while his journalism has encouraged conversations about accountability, freedom of expression and access to information.

His 2024 Human Rights Tulip Award represents an important milestone in his career and provides international recognition of his contribution to human rights advocacy.