Everyone feels sad because Geoffrey Nyarota, a brave news reporter, died Saturday at age 74. He fought colon cancer until he passed away in Mutare. People remember him most for his work in 1989 when he told everyone about government officials who bought cars unfairly. Many journalists say he changed how news works in Zimbabwe after the country became independent.
Nick Mangwana from the Information Department called Nyarota a "media giant" who made a big mark on journalism. Kindness Paradza mentioned how Nyarota trained many young reporters who run news companies today. He won many awards for keeping news free both inside Zimbabwe and around the world. Last December, Wicknell Chivayo helped Nyarota with $15,000 for medical care that needed special doctors in Zambia or India.
The current Chronicle Editor, Lawson Mabhena, feels very sad about losing someone who always shared what he knew with others. Isaac Waniwa remembers how Nyarota helped new reporters learn fast by making them handle tough stories right away. Itai Musengeyi points out that Nyarota became an editor early after Zimbabwe gained freedom and made a path for future news people to follow. His work stands tall in Zimbabwe's media history.
Mduduzi Mathuthu says Nyarota gave him his first job, and he had a special talent for finding good reporters. The team he built at The Daily News scared other newsgroups because they were very good. The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists praised how he served as an editor at different newspapers and wrote books that showed his strong belief in telling people the truth. George Maponga from the same group said when Nyarota died, "The journalism tree has fallen."
Nyarota started his career as a teacher before joining The Rhodesian Herald as a trainee in 1978. He moved up quickly, becoming editor of Manica Post and later The Chronicle in 1983. Six years later, he became famous across Zimbabwe when he told everyone about the car scandal involving important government leaders. He leaves behind his wife Ursula and three children. Before he died, fellow journalists tried to raise money to pay for his cancer treatments.
Nick Mangwana from the Information Department called Nyarota a "media giant" who made a big mark on journalism. Kindness Paradza mentioned how Nyarota trained many young reporters who run news companies today. He won many awards for keeping news free both inside Zimbabwe and around the world. Last December, Wicknell Chivayo helped Nyarota with $15,000 for medical care that needed special doctors in Zambia or India.
The current Chronicle Editor, Lawson Mabhena, feels very sad about losing someone who always shared what he knew with others. Isaac Waniwa remembers how Nyarota helped new reporters learn fast by making them handle tough stories right away. Itai Musengeyi points out that Nyarota became an editor early after Zimbabwe gained freedom and made a path for future news people to follow. His work stands tall in Zimbabwe's media history.
Mduduzi Mathuthu says Nyarota gave him his first job, and he had a special talent for finding good reporters. The team he built at The Daily News scared other newsgroups because they were very good. The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists praised how he served as an editor at different newspapers and wrote books that showed his strong belief in telling people the truth. George Maponga from the same group said when Nyarota died, "The journalism tree has fallen."
Nyarota started his career as a teacher before joining The Rhodesian Herald as a trainee in 1978. He moved up quickly, becoming editor of Manica Post and later The Chronicle in 1983. Six years later, he became famous across Zimbabwe when he told everyone about the car scandal involving important government leaders. He leaves behind his wife Ursula and three children. Before he died, fellow journalists tried to raise money to pay for his cancer treatments.
