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Tribute to Mndolwa
2008-04-13 10:21:58
By correspondent Sauda Kilumanga
It`s always a shock to hear of the death of someone you have laughed with, argued with, discussed important issues with, essentially someone who was a treasured friend.
So when I switched on to the ITV news a few nights ago and heard that my dear friend John Mndolwa had passed away quite suddenly after only a short illness I was numb.
John was only 46 , at the prime of his life.
When I first got to really know him he was the coordinator of the English news and I was one of the anchors. We hit it off right away because he was a professional and totally devoted to his work.
He was extremely knowledgeable and never compromised or took short cuts when it came to the news bulletin.
He checked the facts over and over, I worked on the delivery over and over and always when he was in charge the bulletin was a smooth ride.
Mndolwa which is how we all addressed him, by his surname, was mostly found on the computer typing away or on the phone clarifying a story or answering a query.
Often he even forgot to eat or have a coffee or tea break, such was his devotion and dedication to his work.
He was a serious character who could be very humorous when the pressure of work eased. I began to call him ``Doc`` and in return he would call me ``Prof``.
We had several heated discussions about the political scene and when I despaired at times about the state of things he would say to me `` go into politics Sauda, vent your passion there, I will happily be on your campaign team`` .
He would tease me about my fan mail even from psychos who sent me illegible documents headed mheshimiwa Sauda Simba Kilumanga.
He would laugh at letters of people from across the country, professing their undying adoration to the person they saw on the TV screen.
One such letter was written by a person convicted of crimes against humanity during the Rwanda genocide!
Mndolwa was a mentor to the team and never raised his voice in anger over silly mistakes.
He would say firmly and calmly that news was a serious programme and it must be treated as such. It must be produced with care and precision and his mantra was ``if you don`t know or you are not sure, ask``.
I recall practising pronunciations of hard names with him. Rwandese and Burundian names that were as long as my arm and threatened to trip over the tongue were broken down into syllables to ease pronounciation. He wouldn`t let me off till I got them right.
Mndolwa was my mentor too and my friend. As I paid my last respects and glanced one final time at his still body, tears welled up in my eyes. I was seeing ``doc`` for the last time.
As his coffin was being lowered into the ground a strong breeze blew, shaking the leaves in the trees surrounding the grave and I smiled. It was a sign from my friend who was saying goodbye until we meet again.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace
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