By Munyaradzi Hwengwere
I met and began to know Cont Mhlanga in 2002 when I was CEO of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Before then I had heard and read a lot about him.
To be frank, my opinions of him were negative. I had concluded that he was nothing more than a tribalist with a voice and receptive ears. So I must confess my enthusiasm for engaging with Cont was very low.
Unfortunately what I thought of him at the time could not take away the need to ensure that our Ndebele-speaking audiences were given space on ZBC platforms. My board had directed that I make this part of my agenda. Being one who had spent my life in the southern regions of Zimbabwe including Bulawayo, my heart also told me I had to be more enthusiastic about this idea. To crown it all, during a strike by workers at ZBC, only those from Gweru and Montrose studios had chosen to take sides with me. I surely owed my Bulawayo team something even if that meant meeting Cont Mhlanga.
So as I drove to meet this Amakhosi man I felt like a man going to face his worst fears.......
By Luke Tamborinyoka
Alex Tawanda Magaisa is no more. He died Sunday morning and Zimbabweans received the news of his death with great shock. He had enamoured himself to the average Zimbabwean through his weekly incisive treatise that he dubbed the Big Saturday Read (BSR).
But yesterday, as the social media universe went into a torrid frenzy following his untimely death, Magaisa’s unfortunate demise became the Big Sunday Death (BSD).
Dr.Phillan Zamchiya
Dear Reader
Words fail me. Mukoma is no more. Dr. Alex Magaisa [Save] is dead. He suffered a cardiac arrest. Around 10 am this 5th of June 2022 in the United Kingdom. As usual I tried to phone. The phone rings. But this time Mukoma can not answer. Save cannot breathe. He cannot talk. Save can not write. Save cannot see.
I am just left with waMagaisa’s last words to me which captures his legacy and must inspire a generation.
‘Thanks Munin’ina [My young brother]. You know your word means a lot to me. We have remained in one corner because integrity matters. I have been courted millions of times. And I could be very rich Munin’ina! But my principles cannot allow that. I cannot abandon the few that believe in me. 2017 they came with everything. They still come because they would like to parade me! But I cannot do that munin’ina.. I’m not Nyathi!’.
By Luke Tamborinyoka
Exactly four years ago to the day, the doyen of the country's democratic struggle died. It was only befitting that Morgan Richard Tsvangirai would die on Valentine's Day---on the day that the power of love is celebrated worldwide--- for the man was an iconic patriot who not only loved his country but was reputably a man of love in many other respects.
As per tradition, today's column is a special dedication in remembrance of Morgan Tsvangirai, a man I served for 10 years as his spokesperson and trusted lieutenant. He was a father, a friend and a boss all rolled into one.
Luke Tamborinyoka: "Today, 23 January 2022, marks exactly three years after we lost the great Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, the master of song who entertained and charmed this nation for decades. Today I republish an edited version of the obituary that I wrote when the legendary icon passed away. In the week that his in-law and fellow music legend Zexie Manatsa passed away, it is only fair that we spare a thought and pay tribute to those whose industry has lyrically accosted our collective daily trials and tribulations."
