Mai Chisamba (born Rebecca Tsirikirayi; 21 October 1952), is a Zimbabwean businesswoman and talk show host.^[2][3]

Chisamba was born in Bindura, Zimbabwe, in a family of seven. She attended Bindura Salvation Army Primary School before attending Usher Girls High in Matabeleland. Chisamba received teacher training at Howard Institute.^[4]

Dr Rebecca Chisamba who is dubbed “The Queen of Talk” has helped scale local languages and Zimbabwean heritage to international heights. With more than 50 awards under her belt, among them the prestigious Honour of the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe (Silver) 2023, awarded to her by The President of the Republic of Zimbabwe His Excellency, Dr ED Mnangagwa. She has also won the Communicator of the year award. She has a trailblazing career that spans decades in various sectors. From education, television, radio, print media and entrepreneurship. An accomplished veteran broadcaster and a distinguished Dr of philanthropy who champions local causes. She is most known for executive producing and hosting Mai Chisamba Show, which tackles an array of socio-economic issues, advocates gender equality and upholds local languages and Zimbabwe’s progressive cultural values. In 2025 she was inducted into the National Excellence Hall of Fame as a media and broadcasting legend. This accolade celebrated her seismic influence and impact in storytelling in the media and broadcasting sphere.

Rebecca is married and has 5 children and several grandchildren. One of her daughters, Gamuchirai Chisamba works on the Mai Chisamba show as a Graphic Designer. [1]

1. Honour of the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Silver 2023 2. Communicator of the Year Award 2003 3. Overall Defender of Human Rights Awards (2014) Zimbabwe Human Rights Association 4. Outstanding woman in the use of Mass Media for gender Equality Award (2012) Professional Women Executives and omen in Business (PROWEB) 5. Best Television Presenter Award (Electronic) National Journalistic and Media Awards 6. Outstanding woman in Enterprise Award (2013) - Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with WABAZ 7. Media Professional Woman of the year 2015 - Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards 8. Top Outstanding Woman in Peace and community development in Zimbabwe (2015) Women’s Heritage Society Organisation. 9. Recognized as one of the gender champions by UN Women in conjunction with Msasa Project 10. Popular Television Show (ZAFTAs) 2023 11. Honorary Master of the Arts Degree - Women’s University in Africa 12. Honorary Doctorate (2015) International Institute of Philanthropy 13. Top Outstanding woman in broadcast Media and Television in Zimbabwe (2015)- Women’s Heritage Society Organisation 14. Television Personality of the year award (2014) Zimbabwe Business Awards 15. Best Television (2007) - Anointed Business Woman 16. Best Presenter of the Year (2007) - National Jounalistic and Media Awards 17. African Women’s Living Legends Awards by African Women Association Award (2015) 18. Zimbabwe Achievers Award - Chairman’s Special Recognition Award 2025 - ZAA Global Fellow 19. National Exellence Hall of Fame 2025 Awards 20.The Women’s Lifetime Achievement Award - Women’s CEO Awards 21.The Women’s CEO of the Decade Special Tribute Award - Women’s CEO Awards 22. National Business Awards 2024 - Business Leader for Insight and Coaching 23. Outstanding Contributor Award 2023 - ZAFTAs 24. Icon in Entertainment of the year, Special Recognition in Talk Shows - Iconic African Women’s Awards 2018 25. Top Outstanding woman in peace and community development in Zimbabwe 2016 ( Women’s Heritage Society Organisation) 26. One of the fifty individuals who have contributed in the success of Zimbabwe recognition in the book (People of Zimbabwe) 27. Media Professional woman of the year 2015 - Zimbabwe International Women’s Association 28. Victors Superwoman Award 2012 - Advice and Mentoring 29.Victor’s Award for Outstanding Woman in Zimbabwe and Longstanding Talkshow Host - Victors Incorporation Awards (2011) 30. Fifty Zimbabwen personalitues portraits of Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe National Art Gallery (2015) 31. Outstanding female Television personality award 2013 - Jacaranda Young Women’s Festival (University of Zimbabwe) 32. Shield Award for being the most Inspiring woman (2011) Mabelreign Girls High School in commemoration of International Women’s Day. 33. Freedom of the School - David Livingstone Primary School (2005) 34. Outstanding Talk Show Host - Iconic African Women Awards 35. Philanthropist of the year Award (2022) 36. Ambassador of Happiness Award - NSSA 37. Public Relations and Communications Exellence Special Awards - Positive Impact Award 38.Best Premier Talk Show Host - Women of Exellence Awards by (Ruth Past Foundation) 39. Special Recognition in Media and Television Broadcasting Leadership Exellence Zimbabwe - National Women’s Awards 2018 40. Special Award in Public Relations and Communications Exellence - Institute of Public Relations and Communication Zimbabwe (2019) 41. Exellence Award - Women excelling in their various sectors - The Business Connect (2022) 42. Great Education Influencer Award - SunEagles Junior School 43. Appreciation of Hard Work Contribution to the Culture and Heritage of Zimbabwe - Massey’s Living Legends 44. Appreciation of Hard Work Contribution to the Culture and Heritage of Zimbabwe - Massey’s Living Legends 45. Support and Dedication Award - Aids Health Foundation Zimbabwe 46. Women in Enterprise Conference Awards - ZNCC 47. Women’s Outstanding Achievements Awards 2024 - Entrepreneurial Achievements and Outstanding Contributions 48. Rukanda Pride and Lotus Blossom - Women of Exellence Award 49. Certificate of Appreciation - Par’s in Air Conditioning 50. Duramazwi Guru ReChishona (Dictionary), Acknowledgement for the good use of Shona language - Dr Chimhundu (University of Zimbabwe Languages Department (2007) 51. Zimpapers Award - Good use of Language (2014)

Wikiquote has quotations related to Mai Chisamba.

• Mention in the Parliament of Zimbabwe
• Video clip of the Mai Chisamba Show