VETERAN journalist Faith Zaba has received the 2025 Human Rights Tulip Award from the Netherlands embassy in Zimbabwe, honouring her more than 30 years of fearless journalism and unwavering commitment to truth-telling.
The award was presented at a ceremony in Harare to mark International Human Rights Day.
Zaba, the editor of the weekly business publication Zimbabwe Independent, is currently facing charges of “undermining or insulting the authority of the president” over a satirical article published in the widely-read Muckraker column.
Speaking at the event, Netherlands deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe Ilyaas Sherally warned of a growing global assault on fundamental rights.
“In the context of rising global pushback against fundamental rights and freedoms, I am increasingly worried and I am more determined to get behind human rights defenders holding the line for vulnerable groups and, ultimately, for us all,” Sherally said.
“For more than three decades, Faith has stood at the frontline of Zimbabwean journalism; she has been fearless in exposing corruption, demanding accountability and defending freedom of expression.
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“Her reporting has uncovered political misdealings, shaped national conversations and strengthened the country’s democratic fabric,” he said, adding that there were over 100 nominations for the award this year.
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson Jessie Majome praised the embassy for promoting a culture that actively defends human rights.
“As the National Human Rights Institution, we acknowledge the importance of recognising the humans among us who take the mantle of standing up for the rights that make us all human, sometimes at great cost and inconvenience,” Majome said.
“I want to commend the Netherlands embassy for convening this ceremony, as it encourages us to not only fulfil our duty to respect the rights of others, but to cultivate a culture of human rights that will bloom like the tulip.”
In her acceptance speech, Zaba reflected on a career shaped by resilience and marked by persistent encounters with bullying, sexism, harassment and intimidation.
“Today, I stand not only as a mother to my two wonderful children and a journalist of 33 years, but as a woman who has walked through fire and refused to be silenced,” she said.
“My journey in the media has been shaped by resilience. I have been called many ‘firsts’ … But every first came with a battle: bullying, cyberbullying, sexism, harassment, intimidation and moments when fear pressed hard on my chest. Still, each trial strengthened my resolve.”
Zaba spoke candidly about the challenges of this year, describing her arrest as a defining moment.
“This year, that journey reached a defining moment when I was arrested and detained … Those three nights at Harare Central Police Station and Chikurubi Women’s Prison were the longest of my life, marked by cold floors, suffocating air and a constant fight to remain hopeful. But even in that darkness, I reminded myself this is the cost of speaking truth to power,” she said.
“It was an unsettling experience because, as a journalist, you never expect your work to place you in such a position. There was fear and uncertainty, but also a strange calmness. I reminded myself that journalism often operates in difficult spaces; courage is part of the profession.
“It became a moment of deep reflection about the cost of speaking truth to power and the resilience it demands. It also reminded me why we do this work: to illuminate dark corners and give voice to the voiceless.”
The Human Rights Tulip, established in 2008, honours global pioneers advancing human rights. It also supports innovative initiatives designed to be scaled and replicated worldwide.