Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
Veteran journalist and long-serving Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (Zuj) secretary-general Foster Dongozi has died.
The former Chronicle senior reporter who is reported to have been suffering from a heart ailment for some time, passed on yesterday at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
His death plunged the journalism fraternity into mourning, coming hardly two days after the death of another veteran journalist Charles Laiton.
Former Zuj president Matthew Takaona last night said he was shattered by Dongozi’s death.
“I am devastated. Shortly before his death there was an SOS call from his close relative that he was critical. He was rushed to a local hospital where he died after admission.
“He was one of the most tolerant people whom I have ever worked with.”
Takaona also said the media fraternity had lost a great pillar who was sober minded in his approaches.
“Over the years he managed to unite the journalists across the political divide, keeping the union away from partisan politics,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Editors Forum secretary-general Isdore Guvamombe, who is also a former Zuj vice president, described Dongozi as “a journalist with a conviction to drive journalism to greater heights.”
“He was a unionist at heart. He had a conviction to transform journalism through defending its principles and rewarding hard working journalists.
“We all remember how he recently presided over this year’s National Journalism Merit Awards. Those close to him knew he was sick that time, but he worked day and night to make them a success,’’ said Guvamombe.
A relative who declined to be named said Dongozi got serioulsy ill while visiting the construction site of his new home in Harare.
“When it started we never thought it was serious. We thought he had been affected by the smell of paint. But things got worse and he was rushed to hospital.”
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
Online Reporter