Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
IN an industry where the news cycle never stops and microphones are always live, ZBC employees finally took time out this Friday to focus on something that rarely makes it into their own schedules, well-being.
At the ZBC Wellness Day, producers who are used to navigating fast-paced rundowns found themselves balancing water bottles instead.
Engineers accustomed to perfecting audio levels were busy getting their heart rates in check, and fan-favourite radio presenters set aside their smooth on-air voices to attempt some decidedly less polished Zumba moves.
Even the technical crew who can set up a live broadcast in minutes discovered that a tug-of-war rope demands a very different kind of skill.
“I had my BP checked, and my cholesterol levels were a bit low. This is something I was not aware of, so I am really grateful that now I know of a within my body,” a ZBC employee said.
“I had a chance to participate in various fitness activities, which include Zumba, and it was fun by the way and also got tested for HIV as well as diabetes,” another ZBC worker said.
“I think this should be done on a monthly basis because we have managed to bond as workers and also get our health checked,” one of ZBC staffers said.
The car park was alive with laughter, sweat, and the kind of energy rarely seen outside a breaking news rush.
Wellness checks, fitness sessions, mental health conversations and light-hearted competitions all blended into a day that reminded everyone that health is not just a checkbox, it is a culture.
But amid the fun came a powerful message from ZBC Chief Operations Officer, Engineer Tapiwa Mudzamba, who reminded staff why stepping back to breathe is no longer optional.
“We are incredibly fortunate to collaborate with organisations that are as dedicated to fostering health and wellness as we are. In a fast-paced and demanding industry like broadcasting, the pressure can often be overwhelming. We deliver information at all hours, and sometimes that intensity leads us to neglect our own health. Wellness is not just a buzzword, it is a business. Prioritising your health is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” he said.
By the end of the day, the usually invisible heroes: the control room teams, the OB truck experts, the editors, the DJs, the technicians, found themselves cheering one another on, united not by a broadcast but by a shared reminder: a healthy workforce is a powerful one.
