Thomas Chizhanje has become a prominent social media figure in Zimbabwe, gaining a large Facebook following by posting about relevant topics to engage the public. He was recently appointed as the tourism brand Zimbabwe's social media ambassador. As the ambassador, Chizhanje aims to use social media to educate Zimbabweans and cut distance barriers to relate on a global level. He also runs a media consultancy company that assists with social media management and crowd funding projects.

1. Zim’s social media ambassador
He has literally taken over Facebook as more and more people follow him every day. While
some might have thought the social media platform was only for small talk and casual banter,
of late Thomas Chizhanje has proven that just posting on relevant topics may take you places
as you speak on behalf of the voiceless.
Born 32 years ago in Harare, the fourth born in a family of seven, Chizhanje — who holds a
Bachelor of Commerce Business Management Honours degree from Midlands State
University — is now populaly known as CST, a name that comes from his initials. “The S is
the reverse of my first name… So it’s Chizhanje Samoht Thomas [CST],” he said.
Chizhanje recently received the honour of being appointed the tourism brand Zimbabwe
social media ambassador by Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister, Walter Mzembi.
His Facebook page, which currently boasts of one of the biggest followings, describes his
passion, which he says is, “To be a great leader and [to] influence our nation and the whole
world in a positive manner.” What he enjoys the most about what he does is posting trending
and sometimes controversial topics, engaging the public in debates and discussions and
consequently influencing the social media nation, with a focus on youths. Some of the issues
he discusses on the page range from social etiquette, sport to the current power woes that are
topical these days.
“I also aim to emphasise the fact that anyone can be whatever they wish to be regardless of
the environment you are in and any form of challenges you are facing. However, the biggest
challenge I have faced so far is the fact that most of our nationals shy away from social
media, especially the older generation from 40 years going upwards. They feel like social
media is for kids and is not a serious platform. I am glad most people in these age groups are
now realising the value of social media and the impact it has,” he said.
He describes his biggest life-altering moments thus far as when he was capped by President
Robert Mugabe on his Honours degree graduation, when he got married, and — needless to
say — when he was appointed to his new post by Minister Mzembi.

2. He speaks of his hopes and plans as an ambassador; “I want to reach out to Zimbabweans in
this country and in the Diaspora as their source of news and also educate corporate and
individuals on the benefits of social media,” he said.
“Above all, I aim to ensure that Zimbabwe and Africa embrace social media so that we can
cut the distance barriers and relate more at a global level”.
Chizhanje’s passion for media is evident in the fact that he actually has a media consultancy
company which specialises in educating individual and organisations on social media
management, as well as assisting in crowd funding projects for the underprivileged.
Drawing inspiration from other people’s success stories, the affable young man lists his
parents, Strive Masiiwa, Mark Zuckerberg, Bishop Tudor Bismark and his best friend and
manager Spencer Madziya as his role models and the people that continue to push him
forward. He is also a musician who has done tracks with artists such as Diana Samkange and
Arnold Gara, among other artists in Zimbabwe.