Zimbabwean media is mourning the loss of veteran journalist Bornwell Chakaodza, 60, who succumbed to cancer early Wednesday at St Annes Hospital in Harare.
Chakaodza, a media trainer and consultant, was known for his forthrightness and passion for professionalism in media.
Borncha, as many knew him, pulled no punches in his critiques and commentaries. He worked for the Zimbabwean state media before joining the independent press and last week wrote his last column for the Financial Gazette from his hospital bed.
His death came as the the media fraternity was still coming to grips with the recent deaths of senior journalists Makuwerere Bwititi and Freedom Moyo.
Bwititi, yet to be buried, died this Sunday in Windhoek, Namibia where he worked for the New Era following a rewarding career in journalism spanning 26 years.
“We are very shocked and saddened by [Chakaodza's] death as it robs the media profession and communications industry of a man with vast and invaluable experience," said Njabulo Ncube, chairman of the Media Institute of Southern Africa in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists Secretary General Foster Dongozi said the union received the news of Chakaodza’s death with shock and sadness.
"He has left a void that will be difficult to fill as he was a rare breed who was able to interact with people from different generations and media backgrounds," Dongozi said.
"Chakaodza will also be missed for bringing laughter and comic relief to any conversation he engaged in," Dongozi added.
