Veteran journalist, broadcaster John Masuku laid to rest

VETERAN journalist and media consultant John Masuku was buried yesterday at Glen Forest cemetery in Harare after succumbing to heart related complications last Friday.
The broadcasting legend was aged 71.

Colleagues, relatives and friends thronged his Mabelreign residence where a memorial service and a night vigil was held on Saturday.

A church service was also held yesterday at St Peters’ Anglican Church in Mabelreign before the body was taken to Glen Forest for burial.

It was quite a moving moment when colleagues reminisced the journey Masuku travelled both as a journalist and as a family man.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda was among senior Government delegates who attended a memorial service at St Peters’ Anglican in Mabelreign.

Other mourners were from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation led by its chief executive officer, Mr Sugar Chagonda.

Geo Pomona chief executive officer, Dr Delish Nguwaya, a son-in-law to Masuku together with staff from his firm were part of the mourners.

In his eulogy, veteran broadcaster and colleague, Tapfuma Machakaire said Masuku was a broadcaster par excellence.

“John Masuku, who was one of the first black Zimbabweans to become a broadcaster, was a character that most journalists found difficult to understand. He was among those of his age group who adopted the British dress code.

“If not in a suit he would be smartly dressed with a shirt, jacket and necktie to match the occasion. When he interacted, he always put on his trademark broad smile, often accompanied by a funny giggle,” said Machakaire.

Minister Soda also conveyed his message of condolence in which he described him as one of the pioneers of the country’s media industry.

He said Masuku immensely contributed to the country’s media landscape and played a pioneering role in transforming the broadcasting sector.

“His pioneering role in broadcasting paved the way for transformation within the industry and inspired future generations of journalists,” he said.

Minister Soda said the outpouring of tributes across social media platforms was testimony to Masuku’s passion for mentoring young journalists and shaping informed public discourse.

“His guidance nurtured a generation of media practitioners who continue to uphold the values he championed,” he said.

Masuku was born on December 10, 1955 at Harare Hospital. He attended Kudzanayi Primary School and Highfield Secondary in Harare where among his teachers were the late former education minister and historian, Aeneas Chigwedere, and the late renowned soccer administrator, Ndumiso Gumede.

At Highfield Secondary, Masuku was a member of Young Writers and Debating Clubs. He was also on the editorial board of the school newspaper, The Elephant. He also wrote articles for Terera (Listen), the school magazine.

In 1974 Masuku was recruited by Amon Nyamambi and Dominic Mandizha into joining the Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation in the then Salisbury. Among the early black broadcasters he found at the station were Luke Mnkandla and John Matinde.

The team was later joined by other broadcasters who included Maguire Godzongere, Ray Chirisa, Clement Maphosa, Cephas Chimanga, Masimba Musarira and Lisbern Nasasara.

He began his career at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) in 1974 as a radio announcer and producer. Rising through the ranks, he later became General Manager of Radio Services, overseeing four national radio stations.

He is survived by wife Agnes, four children and eight grandchildren.