Gift Chanda

Background

About Gift Chanda

I have 14 years experience as a Communications practitioner having worked in various roles including Journalism, Public Relations, and Corporate Affairs in media and non-profit organisations. I have extensive experience in communications strategy development, managing internal & external communications, branding and reputation management, stakeholder engagement, media relations, crisis management, report writing and documentation using different communications tools. At Musika Development Initiatives Zambia Ltd, a non-profit organisation funded by the Swedish Government, the Norwegian Government (NORAD), and Irish Aid, I supported strategic communication efforts that elevated the organisation’s role in transforming Zambia’s agricultural markets. My work spanned both digital and traditional media platforms, contributing to a consistent and compelling narrative around Musika’s impact. I helped strengthen the organisation’s media presence—supporting a growth of over 500% in social media following and expanding traditional media coverage through targeted stories, press engagements, and media partnerships. These efforts contributed to positioning Musika as a respected thought leader in agricultural market development and inclusive private sector growth. In journalism, I worked for The Post Newspaper, Zambia’s largest privately owned newspaper, for over four years and also wrote extensively on mining, corporate deal-making and agriculture in Zambia. I have also corresponded with several recognised local and international media organisation. More recently, I was part of ‘Fatal Extraction’; a transnational investigation initiated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to uncover Australian mining companies’ dubious activities in Africa. Throughout my career, I have been recognised for excellence in media and communication. Notable accolades include the 2016 Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zambia awards for Best Land Management Reporting and Best Business Journalist, the 2015 Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Best Print Media Award, the 2014 Best Nutrition Reporting Media Award by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition (CSO-SUN), a 2013 CSO-SUN Recognition Award, and the 2012 ZEMA Best Print Journalist Award.