The sad news about the untimely and tragic end to the life of a young, very promising firebrand of our time, has landed in my ear. You see I knew this man as a colleague but I admired his drive, his ambition and desire, always pushing the boundaries for more. Not content with the limelight that comes with the field of journalism, he started reading law. I remember teasing him about his latest obsession with the law and he gave that infectious laugh and told me how most people often think he is already a qualified lawyer. I have watched him grow in journalism, I can vividly remember his earlier days as a scribe and how he kept on improving to the point on dominating front pages of the various newspapers he worked for. His commitment to the profession was impressive indeed. We had many interesting debates more so, lately on the best form of regulation to use for the media in a democracy. He was of the view that statutory regulation is the way to go, while I am still in support of self-regulation or at least a mixture of the two; what some have called independent co-regulation. He argued his case expertly even as some accused him of favouring one opposition party. He maintained his views were informed by nothing else but principle. I remember one minister, the usual arrogant chap, telling you my friend, that you are underpaid, pointing at me, when I was at MISA, and saying I should advocate for a better pay for you instead of making noise against the govt. You took that distasteful joke with amazing humility. You continued to try and make him see the importance of an access to information legislation. This is the man the country has lost! An ambitious, courageous and fearless man. May your soul rest in peace comrade like you used to refer to me. I shared you love for the letters, reading is something we both found refuge in . Allow me to borrow from a great man of letters and say to you my departed mate your life was gentle; and the elements, So mixed in [you], that Nature might stand up, And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!” ― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar Your were a great man indeed, you conquered every challenge you faced. You contributed immensely to the growth of the journalism profession in the country and your name will always be among those of our fallen heroes. Men and women who did not choose the comfort and easy route of sycophancy and bootlicking but chose the treacherous trenches of the struggle for a better Botswana. Colleagues in the media lets honour our heroes, lets have the SK M award for young upcoming journo or something. Rest in Peace Comrade!
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 10:25:13 +0000
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