Madhimba burial set for Namibia

Gibson Nyikadzino-Zimpapers Politics Hub

Veteran broadcaster and former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) news anchor Joseph Madhimba who died on Wednesday morning in Namibia will be buried in that country at a private family ceremony.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Madhimba family said the private funeral is a fulfilment of the wishes of Madhimba, whom they described as a “cherished patriarch”.

“It is with heavy hearts that we, the Madhimba family, announce the passing of our beloved father, brother, uncle, grandpa and friend, Dr Joseph B Madhimba. Our cherished patriarch transitioned to be with our Heavenly Father in the early hours of Wednesday the 21st of May 2025,” the family said.

The family did not reveal when the burial will take place but asked for privacy during the period of bereavement and expressed their gratefulness to the tributes paid by friends and former workmates.

“While we appreciate the challenges of granting his wish for a private family funeral in Namibia, given his status as a public figure, we nonetheless kindly ask for some privacy as we prepare to lay him to rest.

“We remain exceedingly grateful for the outpouring of loving tributes to the man we dearly love.”

Tributes continued to pour for Madhimba, with media lecturer Professor Nhamo Mhiripiri describing him as a man who made people love the news because of his composure.

Prof Mhiripiri said a broadcast icon who was an inspiration to many had been lost.

“Madhimba represents the best of our news readers. His voice added to the stature of what news is. Most people loved the news genre because of the control and composure he infused into the narrative as he read.

“Through him, reading news on television augmented its status as art. We have lost a broadcast icon who inspired many and was still imparting his knowledge and skills through lecturing to the younger generation,” Prof Mhiripiri said.

Madhimba’s former ZBC workmate Mr John Gambanga said he was devastated with the news.

“I was one of his close friends. We spent six years on the Radio Desk as sub editors. He was exceptionally gifted intellectually and was a natural broadcaster,” he said.