Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
FORMER Chronicle Entertainment and Gender Editor Daisy Jeremani Manyika, who died on Thursday will be buried today in Kwekwe.
She was 46.
Manyika, the wife of Chronicle Assistant Editor, Kennedy Mavhumashava died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on Thursday night after a long battle with cancer.
Her body lay in State at the family home in Montgomery suburb in Bulawayo yesterday and is expected to depart for Kwekwe this morning. A funeral service was held for her at a Bulawayo parlour yesterday afternoon where scores of mourners who included fellow journalists were in attendance.
She will be buried at Imbizo 10 Cemetery.
Family spokesperson Mr Jevhas Mavhumashava said the late Manyika suffered a mild stroke while she was battling cancer. Her condition deteriorated on Monday and she was rushed to hospital.
“She was undergoing physiotherapy after she suffered a mild stroke and when her condition deteriorated on Monday, she was taken to Mater Dei Hospital. Unfortunately, she passed away on Thursday night,” said Mr Mavhumashava.
Chronicle Operations Editor Isaac Waniwa described the late veteran journalist as a hardworking team leader.
“Daisy was among the journalists who joined the Chronicle as junior reporters when I was then News Editor. She rose through the ranks to become Entertainment Editor and later Gender Editor. She was a hardworking team leader and quickly earned the respect of her subordinates,” said Waniwa.
“Daisy’s ability to work and relate with other workers extended beyond the newsroom, hence she had many friends in other departments. I want to believe it was because of Daisy’s commitment and hard work that she managed to survive outside the newsroom as a freelance journalist,” he added.
Zimpapers Deputy Echo Editor Bongani Ndlovu described Manyika as a loving woman who mentored him from the beginning of his journalism journey.
“The death of MaiGuru (Daisy) hurt me deeply. She was a kind, loving woman who always encouraged me in my endeavours and guided me during my internship when I started as a cub reporter on her desk, entertainment. Such mentors are rare. She was patient and always fair in our dealings. Over the years, she became more than a mentor, but a big sister, and sometimes a mother to us. I shall miss her,” said Bongani.
Zimpapers Society Reporter Bruce Ndlovu said Manyika was a leader with an extraordinary eye for talent.
“When I first came to the newsroom, I thought I was there to just fulfil a year of attachment and leave, but she realised that I had a gift that needed to be nurtured. She deftly encouraged me to write long-form articles because they illustrated my strengths and by the time I left the newsroom, I was addicted to the process of writing,” said Bruce.
“A lot of young people who went through her hands have similar stories to share. To me, she is a superhero and the first person to believe in what I do wholeheartedly. Future young journalists have been robbed of an inimitable mentor.”
Manyika is survived by her husband, Kennedy Mavhumashava, and four children.
derick.khumalo