Former President, Benjamini Mkapa during the burial of veteran journalist Renald Mhango at Kinondoni cemetery in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Mhango died at Hindu Mandal Hospital on Thursday.PHOTO/ZACHARIA OSANGA.
************************************************************
By Abdi M Sultani
A few years ago, a close friend who had lost his favourite child – the apple of his eye, as they say – said to me in a ‘side show’ during the burial arrangements gathering: “It is like I understand why this son of mine had to die so young.”
I couldn’t fathom his “understanding”, so I asked for an elaboration.
“Nice people don’t live long… if, you’re given a sampling of people and you want to make a good bet on who will return to God, pick the nicest among them... good people usually die and leave us, the crooked ones, behind,” he had said, as he wiped away tears.
These weren’t words from the mouth of an acknowledged sage, but then, I mused, don’t we have a Kiswahili saying: “Wema hawana maisha” (Nice people don’t live long)? Afro 70 Band’s Patrick Balisydia used the saying in a tribute song to Samora Machel.
These were the thoughts going through mind upon receiving, on Friday morning, a call from a media colleague, satirist Adam Lusekelo (he of Sunday News ‘Light Touch’ fame), who broke to me news of Reggie’s death.
“Yes, our friend Reggie is dead… I’ve been told he suffered a stroke yesterday (Thursday), and that did it!” said Adam, in a solemn voice.
My instant remark was: Haiwezekani – it’s not possible!
“It’s true, Abdi, Reggie is gone; we’ve lost a really nice guy,” said Adam.
He didn’t have to give the second name – ‘Mhango’, for, in the Tanzania media fraternity, whenever the name Reggie was uttered, much as there are quite a few other scribbling Reginalds, it was like it suited Mr Reginald Mhango the most.
Wearing his trademark perpetual smile that amplified his ebony black complexion, he would always introduce himself as ‘Reggie’ and we in the media, from cub reporters to senior editors, simply called him Reggie.
The name Reginald Mhango was not new to me, for in the 1970s, I would come across the ‘byline’ in the pages the Daily News/Sunday News, the only local English language newspapers then.
So, upon meeting him ‘live’ for the first time in 1999, when he arrived from Malawi to join the Guardian Ltd as the head of the new baby in IPP Media family of newspapers – Daily Mail, it was like I was meeting a person you’ve always known.
“I am Reggie,” he had introduced himself to me when we met in the newsroom.
“Reggie who?” I asked.
“Mhango,” he had said.
“Oh, you mean you’re Reginald Mhango of Daily News?” I had remarked.
As our managing editor (ME), we all appreciated the way he linked up the efforts of the wide array of reporters and sub-editors. The Daily Mail subbing team included veteran Richard Mngazija and up-and-coming ones like David Mbulumi (he had just finished university). Writers ranged from giants like Kajubi Mukajanga to novices like Emmanuel Kihaule (had just finished his A-Level at Makongo High School).
A former group managing editor with New Habari Corporation, Atillio Tagalile, says few editors can equal Reggie in mentoring young scribes. He says Reggie had the rare quality of tolerance when it came to handling trainee journalists, who he would push and encourage to do and re-do their stories until they got it right.
“Many of today’s big names in the media owe what they are to Reggie, for I know quite a few who, in the hands of some no-nonsense news editors I know, would’ve run away from the newsroom in despair,” says Tagalile, who, as a Senior Reporter at the Daily News in 1986, had Reggie, then the News Editor, as his immediate boss.
In The Guardian Ltd newsroom, everybody felt free to have a chat with Reggie, and it didn’t matter whether you were writing for English or Kiswahili titles. So approachable, he was always ready share his long experience gained over (then) close to 30 years in the media.
Besides his amiability and helpfulness in the newsroom, he made good company even in informal settings, mixing with fellow old-timers like Mangengesa Mdimi, Paschal Shija and virtual newcomers like Bernard Mapalala and this writer.
The teetotaller that he was, the man had no problem ‘hanging out’ with those of us who would take one or two to wash down a hearty meal of ugali with fish (Reggie’s favourite kitoweo, the ‘true Mnyasa’ that he was) at Dar es Salaam’s Igongwe Inn at Mwenge.
I believe I am speaking for many by saying that, to those of us who have known Reggie over the years, working with him at Daily News, Daily Mail, PST or The Guardian newspapers, we sincerely feel that at 64, Reggie was too young to die. The media, friends and, of course, his family, wanted him still.
But maybe, to use the words of the friend I mention at the opening of this tribute, “the nice ones tend to die earlier”.
Reginald Mavunika Mhango ‘Reggie’, who was laid to rest at the Kinondoni cemetery in Dar yesterday, was a very nice guy. We loved him, yes, but, as the scriptures teach us to acknowledge, God loved him more.
May He, the Almighty Lord, rest our friend Reggie’s soul in everlasting peace.
1 comment:
I am deeply saddened to learn of Reginald Mhango's death, just today while trying to find his telephone number through the net. He impacted so many lives, including mine - now a senior journalist and Vice chair of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of India.
I first met Reggie in 1993 when he was Editor of the Daily News. I lived in Amani then, and wrote a series of articles on the condition of the hills. I was a novice then.The encouragement I got from him has stayed with me to this day. When I left Tanzania later in that same year, he wrote out such an impressive testimonial for me that I had no difficulty getting myself into the field in India...
I will always remember him with affection and respect. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his loved ones.
Ms. Keya Acharya
Vice chair, Forum of Environmental Journalists of India,
Correspondent, IPS
Bangalore, India
Post a Comment