Tatenda Gondo, a talented journalist from Zimbabwe, is transforming the landscape of African women’s sports journalism. Known for her dedication to telling the stories of African women athletes and amplifying the reach of minority sports, Gondo recently won recognition at the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards.
The Public Recognition Award celebrates her invaluable contributions and the growing impact of her voice in African sports journalism. When gsport reached out to her for this interview, Gondo expressed deep appreciation.
“One-and-a-half months later, I remain overwhelmed!”
2024 Public Choice Award Winner, Zimbabwe’s Tatenda Gondo
“Standing on the platform amidst athletes, administrators, officials, journalists, government officials, and corporate professionals, I felt inspired. Each person in that room inspires someone daily, making this award a reminder that my work is noticed and appreciated.”
Gondo believes the award bolsters her professional credibility, opening doors to new opportunities that will empower her to continue championing African women athletes.
Gondo’s journey into sports journalism was sparked by her frustration with the limited media coverage of African women’s sports. Recognising a critical gap, she began using her social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter, to highlight athletes’ accomplishments, share their challenges, and celebrate their successes.
“I believed that I had found a niche.”
After several months, Gondo expanded her reach by starting a blog, a move she describes as a “game-changer.”
The high-quality content she created established Gondo as a trusted storyteller, and soon mainstream media picked up her stories on African athletes and technical officials’ achievements.
“Storytelling in sports journalism has transformed into a potent catalyst for securing sponsorship and captivating fans.”
Her storytelling approach has created a devoted fan base for sports that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her stories, highlighting African athletes’ perseverance and triumph, have inspired fans to appreciate women’s sports deeply.
“I specialize in showcasing women and minority sports, and my compelling storytelling has unequivocally made lesser-known sports more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience,” explains Gondo.
The journey has not always been smooth. Reporting on issues like maladministration and financial misconduct has occasionally led to her being barred from press releases, conferences, and other events.
She has also faced scepticism from some readers and colleagues, who doubted her capacity to report on sports. “My exemplary work ethics has consistently vindicated me,” Gondo explains, citing her commitment to staying updated with the latest technological trends and insights in sports journalism, to overcome such challenges.
In her role as the Communications Officer for the African Chess Confederation, Gondo oversees media outreach, supports event communications, and is spearheading a new project currently in the conceptual stage.
She emphasises that minority sports offer a unique, less crowded space for budding journalists to make their mark, with valuable opportunities like internships often more accessible in these fields.
To young African women aspiring to follow her path, Gondo’s advice is:
“The cake is abundantly big, empowering everyone to savour their piece!”
“They should join the wagon and help bridge the visibility gap in women’s sports coverage in Africa and globally.” Gondo encourages them to take advantage of social media platforms to start their own blogs, vlogs, or podcasts, thus creating a foundation for future opportunities with media houses or sports associations.
“They are incredibly fortunate that these platforms can also be monetised, enabling them to be their bosses,” she adds.
For Tatenda Gondo, this journey is about more than just reporting. Her award-winning storytelling is creating a lasting impact, helping to build a more inclusive world of African sports, especially for women and underrepresented athletes across the continent.
Main Photo Caption: A talented Zimbabwean journalist known for her dedication to telling the stories of African women athletes and amplifying the reach of minority sports, Tatenda Gondo is transforming the landscape of African women’s sports journalism. Photo: gsport
Photo 2 Caption: Gondo’s journey into sports journalism was sparked by her frustration with the limited media coverage of African women’s sports. Photo: gsport
Photo 3 Caption: Gondo is the first non-South African to win gsport’s Public Choice Award, awarded to the non-winning Finalist who received the most public votes. Photo: gsport
Photo 4 Caption: Gondo’s advice to aspirant journalists: “To young African women aspiring to follow her path, Gondo’s advice is: Join the wagon and help bridge the visibility gap in women’s sports coverage in Africa and globally.” Photo: Supplied
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