HARARE — Zimbabwe’s media and creative industries are in mourning following the tragic death of acclaimed broadcast journalist, writer and actress Cordelia Masalethulini, who was reportedly found murdered in Borrowdale, Harare, on Tuesday.
News of Masalethulini’s death has sent shockwaves across the country, triggering an outpouring of grief from family members, friends and colleagues within Zimbabwe’s media fraternity, many of whom described her as a rare talent whose contribution to storytelling and broadcasting was profound and far-reaching.
Masalethulini, the younger sister of former top model Brita Masalethulini, built a distinguished career spanning Zimbabwe and South Africa. She earned regional recognition as an international news anchor at eNCA News, before returning home to work with ZiFM Stereo and later the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), where she presented flagship news bulletins and co-hosted Good Morning Zimbabwe.
Her versatility extended beyond mainstream broadcasting. She worked with Eleven Dogs Inc, where she hosted the political and current affairs programme State of the Nation, while also running her own creative enterprise, CocoMass. Through CocoMass, Masalethulini produced voice-overs, documentaries and television programmes centred on authentic African narratives, with a strong emphasis on investigative journalism and original storytelling.
Colleagues say much of her work focused on amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly advocating for the empowerment of women in the media industry. Her investigative projects were widely praised for their depth, courage and professionalism.
Masalethulini also contributed to The Zimbabwe Mail, operating from its offices for a period and producing several notable pieces that reflected her sharp editorial instinct and creative originality. Those who worked closely with her described her as disciplined, innovative and deeply committed to journalistic excellence.
Beyond journalism, Masalethulini was an accomplished actress. In 2024, she appeared in Neria 21, a modern remake of the iconic Zimbabwean film Neria, where she played the role of Jane Machacha, earning praise for her performance.
At the time of her death, Masalethulini was reportedly developing several new film and storytelling projects in collaboration with other creatives in Zimbabwe’s media sector, signalling a career still very much on the rise.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information surrounding the circumstances of her death, but calls are growing for a thorough investigation.
As tributes continue to pour in, many in the industry say Zimbabwe has lost not only a gifted journalist and actress, but a visionary storyteller whose influence will endure long after her passing.