THE passing on of veteran journalist Masimba Musarira, who was director research and media with the Zimbabwe Heritage Trust (ZHT) is a major blow.
Not only has ZHT lost a dedicated hardworking patriot but the nation has become poorer with his passing on.
Musarira will be best remembered for his high quality work in broadcast media and the skill with which he assessed and delivered the current affairs of the day.
In the more than 30 years he offered to the media fraternity, he was called upon to deliver and he delivered diligently.
In his works he displayed an encyclopaedic knowledge of local cultures with a deep understanding of people relationships among themselves as well as their environment.
The void he left cannot be filled but rest assured he mentored and inspired many who will continue with his great works.
If life is indeed a song, then Musarira played it in a manner that left many dazed. Besides being a brilliant journalist he also excelled as a farmer after benefiting from the Land Reform Programme.
The broadcaster, born in June 1957, is survived by his wife and three children. He was born and bred in Nyautare, Nyanga.
In his teens, Musarira joined the African Service of the then Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) now Radio Zimbabwe to become a radio announcer and content producer.
Musarira began by presenting popular live programmes such as Kwaziso/Ukubingelelana and Dzandakusarudzirai.
He was extremely gifted in conducting interviews and talk shows that covered various issues that included youth activities, social issues and culture.
At one time, the multi-talented Musarira was a Shona news anchor.
His zeal to learn and research about his country and its people saw him doing a lot of rural recording tours gathering content for programmes such as Nhau Dzevarimi Hurukuro nevematenganyika, Dzavanagwenyambira and Zvevechidiki, among many other programmes.
Together with his old-time friend, veteran journalist John Masuku, Musarira enrolled for a diploma in Journalism which was offered by International Correspondence School (ICS) through distance learning.
The attaining of independence in 1980 saw Musarira successfully integrating with colleagues who had been pushing the revolution through broadcasting from Voice of Zimbabwe in Mozambique and Zambia.
He was transferred to the newly formed department of News and Current Affairs, Highlands which was then headed by Comrade Grey Tichatonga (Ambassador Mark Marongwe).
The late Musarira took over the production of Newsreel and The World this Week on radio and television.
After completing media courses at Senders Freis Berlin in West Germany in the early 1980s Musarira moved to television.
He also developed a keen interest in investigative journalism resulting in the launch of his very popular Assignment programme in which he uncovered a lot of corrupt activities among persons of authority in public and private sectors.
The late Musarira also excelled as a war correspondent when he produced a number of chilling programmes about the Renamo war in Mozambique where Zimbabwean soldiers were guarding the oil pipeline along the Beira Corridor.
Musarira ’s award winning documentaries also exposed underdevelopment among the Doma people in the Zambezi Valley that contributed to the Government taking a keen interest in their welfare.
Musarira also got a UNESCO fellowship to do a Master of Arts in Journalism at Cardiff University in Wales.
He was an avid reader, especially in the fields of Philosophy, pan-Africanism and Sociology.
As Head of Television Production at ZBC Musarira mentored many successful producers and technical crews.
He was also elevated to Controller of Television Services, a position he held until he left ZBC.
From ZBC he went into private production of documentaries but ZBC, his previous employer, would on different occasions invite him to anchor some current affairs programmes such as Face the Nation, Around Zimbabwe, among others.
ZiFM Stereo, at one point, allocated him a show on which he shared his thoughts and experiences on pan-Africanism.
In 2011, the Zimbabwe Heritage Trust appointed Musarira to head the Research and Media Unit of the Organisation.
His research mostly focused on the First Chimurenga, Nationalism and the Second Chimurenga.
Pursuant to the objectives of the ZHT, Musarira documented many hours of interviews with participants of the Second Chimurenga.
Some of the research material has been adapted to documentary film content.
At the 2016 Zimbabwe International Film Festival (ZIFF), Zanla Comes to Town 2, a liberation war documentary film he produced and directed won him awards for best director and best film.
His research and contribution in the film industry has laid out the groundwork for the next generation of film makers and researches.
He created a silent revolution and an invaluable resource in terms of local films.
Musarira’s vision was to see his research work used by all Zimbabweans.
Through his work as a broadcaster and filmmaker, Musarira inspired many a journalist of his generation and upcoming practitioners.
It is unfortunate Musarira died before finishing the script for a documentary film titled Legends of Chimurenga.
He was also working on a documentary of the famous Mavhonde Battle.
His unique voice and skills are irreplaceable and will be sorely missed.
Fare thee well Comrade Masimba Musarira!