MIDWEEK REPORTER
Veteran administrator and media personality, Herbet Chikosi has been appointed substantive Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council Mashonaland West provincial manager.
ZNFPC provincial human resources and administration officer, Olga Muza told The Midweek Watch that Chikosi assumed his new position on October 1 which had been vacant since 2021.
Chikosi who hails from Dapi Village under Chief Mazungunye in Bikita was the acting manager for Masvingo Province before his elevation.
He said he was humbled by the faith shown in him by his superiors and will execute his duties to the best of his abilities as a health champion.
He also worked in the media industry before joining the health parastatal years back.
Chikosi’s career is a testament to the power of dedicated public service and specialized advocacy within Zimbabwe’s health sector. From an education and marketing specialist to a provincial leader, his journey is marked by a profound commitment to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH), with a particular focus on empowering vulnerable populations.
The Foundation: Education and Communication
Chikosi built a robust foundation for his work, combining social sciences, development studies, and communications expertise. Holding an Msc in population policy analysis, a Master of Arts in Development Studies, a Bsc in Sociology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work, and a Diploma in Mass Communications and Journalism, he possesses a unique skill set that blends management, policy, and public outreach. He continues to expand this knowledge as an MPhil. Student in Public Health at Northwest University, focusing his research on access to SRH services for teenage mothers in Chiredzi, a critical area of national concern.
The Advocate: Driving Provincial Change at ZNFPC
Chikosi rose through the ranks of the ZNFPC), initially serving as the provincial marketing and communication officer for Masvingo Province. In this role, he was not just an administrator but a dynamic advocate who consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional health programming. His key accomplishments demonstrate his impact:
Pioneering Inclusivity: He championed and secured funding for the creation of a Comprehensive SRH Braille dictionary, collaborating with the Reformed Church University to ensure that essential health information is accessible to visually impaired individuals, breaking a significant barrier to reproductive health equity.
Empowering the Marginalized: He was a vocal advocate for the “decolonisation of sex work”, a campaign aimed at improving the health and well-being of marginalised populations, and established partnerships that expanded ZNFPC’s resources through collaborations with bodies like Plan International and SolidarMed.
Strategic Visibility: Recognizing the power of media, he successfully advocated for ZNFPC visibility across radio stations to improve brand competence, visibility, and service marketing.
The Public Voice: Focusing on Critical Issues
Chikosi has consistently used his platform to highlight sensitive and critical national health issues, shifting public discourse and encouraging proactive measures:
Menstrual Health Management (MHM): He is a strong voice for involving men in MHM discussions to address myths and stigma, advocating for a national policy to create girl-friendly environments in schools and workplaces.
Adolescent Health and Contraception: He has raised concern over the worrying trend of young people preferring emergency contraception over condoms, stressing the need for responsible behavior and comprehensive sexuality education to combat both unintended pregnancies and STIs, including HIV.
Workplace SGBV: He expanded the conversation on Sexual Gender-Based Violence to include the vulnerability of young girls in the workplace, pushing for a strategic shift in focus towards this often-overlooked area.
The Leader: Current Role in Mashonaland West
Building on his successful tenure in Masvingo, Chikosi now serves as the Provincial Manager for Mashonaland West Province at ZNFPC. In this leadership role, he continues to direct provincial strategies, leveraging his extensive experience to manage programs, human resources, and financial oversight, ensuring that the province meets its goals in delivering vital family planning and reproductive health services to the population.
His career demonstrates a sustained commitment to inclusivity, advocacy, and strategic leadership, making him a central figure in Zimbabwe’s ongoing efforts to advance public health and reproductive rights.
