By Fanuel Viriri
Veteran broadcaster and journalism lecturer John Masuku (70) is no more.
He is said to have suffered a heart attack this morning.
Masuku is among the first black broadcasters in Rhodesia having joined in 1974 and also worked for the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.
He held several positions at ZBC and was once the Radio 1 Station Manager. He was also the Controller of Montrose Studios in Bulawayo. He did radio football commentaries for the Rhodesia national team.
He discovered several top broadcasters that are too numerous to mention among them Alyce Chavhunduka, George Munetsi, Hosea Singende, Comfort Mbofana and Tich Matazz.
Masuku also founded BES College that trained journalists in Bulawayo. He was also the director of Radio VOP that streamed on the internet. He also contributed to this page.
He was a well of knowledge and wisdom in the journalism industry. He was born in the Engineering Section of Highfields.
This is the Whatsapp message l received from him on Monday morning. I last talked to him on Wednesday verifying certain facts with him on a story that l am working on. Masuku’s message:
“Good morning.Very interesting Makomva story.We lived in the same Engineering, Highfield neighbourhood with Mr Dennis Todyanemhandu Makomva.His house was 303 ours 236.
We attended the same church St Pauls Anglican Highfield.I remember him as a builder before building his first shop overlooking musika.
I doubt if that was in 1959.Later he built a huge two storey supermarket next to Chokureva Fashions overlooking Cape Flats bottle store & Mutanga night club.He spread his wings wide into service stations and farming.
We attended school and played street football with his sons Morgan Rodwell and Stanley.Morgan was in the same class with my brother at Mhizha Primary and later studied Medicine in the UK. Upon his return he got injured in a road crash and was badly paralysed quite early in life.
The Makomvas moved to Marimba Park during its formative years.TD’s senior daughter was very good and responsible at running businesses.
The younger daughter Lucy was my secretary at ZBC Mbare Studios.As a builder Mr Makomva a strict but down to earth personality built our verandah as he was transitioning into business.
He died in a car crash one morning while on his
way to his farm around Selous. (John Masuku)
Rest in peace gentle giant Mr Masuku.
About Author
