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David Martin, journalist and freedom fighter for Africa
2007-08-23 10:01:21
By
A few mornings after the January army mutiny in 1964 in Tanganyika David Martin, then a reporter with The Tanganyika Standard, was sent by his Editor to meet a reporter dispatched by a major UK right wing newspaper to cover the mutiny.
As they drove back into town David Martin started to give a chronological and factual account of what had happened. The reporter quickly cut him off with the report: “Never mind the facts; I have come to put the boot in!”
Keenness of observation and a passion for facts distinguished David Martin, Journalist and Writer, who passed away in Harare on Saturday morning, 18th August 2007 at the age of 68.
He was a studious and prolific reporter throughout the sixties and during the early seventies, first on The Standard newspaper and then as freelance for a number of periodicals and radio stations, notably the BBC.
When he first came to Dar es Salaam he knew little of the freedom struggle that was gaining momentum in Southern Africa. He quickly sensed the freedom cause and immersed himself in it, to report on the aspirations, achievements and setbacks of the liberation movements.
He got to know and work closely with leaders of the movements. He reported with discernment and much empathy their internal strife and posturing.
Whatever leanings his analysis of events hinted, he could be counted upon to remain streadfast in promoting the freedom from colonialism and apartheid of the people of the region.
To this goal he manifested a principled and unwavering commitment. With his arsenal of words, he was in his own way a freedom fighter.
From Dar es Salaam he moved to Lusaka, then to Maputo upon the independence of Mozambique and finally to Harare at Zimbabwe’s independence.
As the end of colonialism drew near he turned from straight reporting to writing more researched and crossectional papers and publications on issues affecting Development of the frontline states. To this end he and his partner Phyllis Johnson established in Harare the Southern Africa Research and Documentation Centre.
Of the couple’s publications the most outstanding must be their contribution to the book entitled Apartheid Terrorism, or The Destabilization Report, prepared for the Commonwealth committee of Foreign Ministers on Southern Africa.
The Committee was established by the 48 Commonwealth Heads of State and Government at their summit in Vancouver, Canada, in October, 1987 with the aim of mobilizing more strongly and effectively the international community to fight apartheid.
Phyllis Johnson and David Martin, Directors of the SARDC were asked to undertake a study on South Africa’s aggression against the frontline states.
The graphic findings of their study published in July 1989 regarding the human and economic costs inflicted on these states by the economic and military pressures by apartheid South Africa stirred the conscience of the international community and led to stepped up pressures to end apartheid.
For it highlighted dramatically the devastation of the frontline states.
David Martin loved Nature and had a passion for nature conservation. He has written well researched and illuminating Guides to all Tanzania’s National Parks.
The books are illustrated by beautiful pictures, which he took himself, of species and panorama, as many visitors to the parks have remarked with satisfaction.
Those who worked with and knew him at a personal level will remember him as a generous, solicitous and engaging personality.
He talked straightforwardly and held strong views without being haughty, condescending or dismissive.
He had no appetite for pomp and circumstance but respected authority properly in place.
He received information with caution, handled facts with tenderness and advocated with circumspection. He is deeply mourned and will be dearly missed.
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