DSE News Network
First it hits you. And when you are hit like that, you know that this is a deep strike.
You know instantly that this is a disaster, and you feel it in your joints, in your blood and in your veins. You feel salty, you lose power, your mouth runs dry, and confusion sets in.
No amount of descriptions of death can fit what happened on Wednesday morning when the news of his demise filtered through on the social media.
And suffice to say – death itself must not be proud of what it has done to Jonisayi Warchild Maromo.
Our friend, colleague, workmate, comrade, super-journalist, unifier and fellow Zimbabwean died unexpectedly in a Mutare hospital this week – without any warning – and as we publish this article, he was laid to rest in Guruve last week.
No one saw it coming, and there was no time to prepare for this tragedy.
It has been three days of emotional chaos, loss, complete shock and disbelief for many of the people around Jonisayi – we sincerely wish everyone all the comfort and strength to deal with this tragedy – you are not alone. We are in this together.
And as we speak – the full extent and effects of his death among fellow news media communities in South Africa, in Zimbabwe – and to many others across the world – will be felt for a long time to come.
Maybe with time our sorrows and pain will heal – with the acceptance that – what has happened – has happened.
Maybe all the messages of condolences, commiserations, prayers and support for the pain and grief will actually work.
But for now, we are heavy in our hearts, and the pain of losing (a) someone like Maromo – is unbearable.
Working in pan-African media organisations – the Sunday Express had known Jonisayi Maromo for his work in journalism early on.
Our first sight of Maromo was during the height of the gunfire of the Marikana massacre – back then in 2012 – where police killed 34 miners and left 78 others seriously injured – many will remember that Jonisayi was on assignment in Rustenburg at that time – right in the thick of that story.
Even then, we recognised a young dynamic news reporter, and that he was destined for greatness.
All the attributes were found in him – inquisitiveness, genuine need-to-know, solution-driven thinking, patriotism and real concern for the future of the industry.
Infact his published work across continental media over the years speaks for itself – it is public knowledge, and we do not even have to repeat it for this article.
What we can only speak about – is how he made us feel.
Maromo was a friend to everyone – as long as one had a good story to tell – fellow journalists, fellow colleagues, newsmakers, celebrities, politicians, civic leaders – everyone in the circles of news and information – knew him and everyone has a good story to tell – about him.
And if you thought that he was nice and friendly to you (alone) – wait until you hear how he was nice and friendly to the next person, and the next – and to everyone else around – no matter who you are or where you come from.
Munhu wevanhu, umuntu wabantu, a peoples’ person – one who is many things to many people at the same time.
A hard working man, dedicated and diligent in pursuit of his craft and the hustle – add that – to his many other characteristics – the humour and comedy.
He was just funny by nature, easy going and always seemed to know what is going on – everywhere.
He was quick to crack the funny side of life and the hidden drama of the news – sometimes in really serious situations, and in ways that left everyone in stitches.
And yet he would still go and write a very insightful article about what seemed to be a joke moments before – and you wondered how he did it.
Reading through all the messages of condolences among the Zim and SA journalists communities – one is left at a loss over the vast networks and resources that this man possessed, and it is rare to find a person who could connect so easily, at any place and in any situation – without even trying hard to impress.
That’s because Jonisayi Maromo was more than just a journalist. He was born with it. Where people needed to be brought together, he brought them.
Where communities needed to be built, he was the builder, and where things needed to be put together, he was the glue, the visionary, the one who asks the questions, and the fighter for the industry that stands united in mourning his death today.
Where a support system was needed – he was the support.
Virtually everyone has a story about Warchild, and at the DSE News Network we have many.
He loved (this newspaper) the Sunday Express – he was a top follower, he shared it to his followers and he wanted us to publish more editions every week.
He would read every word, and point out what we had stuffed up, and he wanted us to grow this network and be better.
In this digital newspaper, and in our books – Jonisayi Maromo is a hero.
He connected us to fellow journalists for whom today we have created lasting relationships, and he shared news diary and networking opportunities – and for which we cry – all that warmth, friendship and camaradie – is gone. And he is also gone.
A memorial service for Jonisayi Maromo with be held at Tshedimosetso House in Hatfield Pretoria on Monday March 16, at 12 noon.
Rest in Peace Mukanya
