Veteran photo journalist Zvomuya dies

Senior Reporter
Award-winning veteran photo journalist, trainer and former Herald chief photographer Fidelis Zvomuya has died. He was 63. Zvomuya died yesterday morning at his farm in Marondera. He is survived by his wife Gladys and eight children. The deceased’s brother Wellington yesterday said Fidelis’ death came as a major blow to the family and they were still trying to come to terms with reality.

“He was my brother, father and mentor,” he said. “He is a great loss to the family as he was a unifier who did not discriminate when helping family members.” Mourners are gathered at Zvomuya’s farm in Marondera and he will be buried in Seke on a date to be announced.

Zimpapers Editor-in-Chief Pikirayi Deketeke, who worked with Zvomuya at The Herald, described him as a rare photo-journalist.
“He was a seasoned photo-journalist who in his career at The Herald managed to capture the rarest pictures, including Nelson Mandela (former South African President) kissing Graca Machel when they came to Zimbabwe in 1996, breaking in picture the story of their relationship.
“His contribution to training of photo-journalists will always be cherished by the profession.”

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Michael Chideme said the union was greatly saddened by the death of the seasoned photo-journalist.
“Zvomuya was a cut above the rest,” he said. “Besides an illustrious career in the newsroom, Fidelis invested in the profession that was so dear to his heart. He became a trainer of photo-journalists. Today, newsrooms are full of his products. He travelled a good journey. The profession has lost a mentor, teacher and an inspiration.”

Herald chief photographer Regis Nyandima, who worked with Zvomuya for a long time, said the nation had been robbed of a trainer and photo-journalist par excellence.

Zvomuya joined Zimpapers in the 70’s and rose through the ranks to become The Herald’s first black chief photographer, taking over from Jack White. He held the position until 2003 when he retired on health grounds.