Trust Rukwava
Centre News Hub
A dark cloud is hovering over the media industry in Masvingo following the untimely and sudden death of prolific and prominent broadcast Journalist Tavita Natasha Mpala.
She was 29.
The devastating news was announced by her employers Great Zimbabwe University after the ever beaming, jubilant and magnificent Great Zimbabwe University Campus Radio producer and presenter collapsed at her desired place, the radio station offices.
“Good evening, colleagues. It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that, on behalf of Great Zimbabwe University, I announce the passing of our colleague, Tavita Natasha Mpala, the vibrant producer and presenter at GZU Campus Radio, who sadly passed on this afternoon. She collapsed while at work and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Further details will be shared in due course. May her soul rest in eternal peace.” said Great Zimbabwe University Public Relations Officer Anderson Tawanda Chipatiso.
The trailblazing Tavita who had become a household name carved a strong career in broadcasting with GZU Campus radio with her melodious voice was also an avid arts entertainment lover.
With her career soaring to dizzy heights Tavita became a favourite MC at many local pubs and events across Masvingo and beyond.
The soft spoken beauty with brains journalist who drew admiration across audiences and colleagues has left a huge chasm in the industry.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Masvingo Chapter expressed great sadness over the loss of Tavita.
“We remember her as an energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate individual who brought her best to everything she did. Well-known in the media fraternity and not only in Masvingo, Tavita’s passing leaves a deep void and many will miss her voice on air. The media fraternity has lost a very good and passionate young soul. We offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.” read part of the statement released by ZUJ Masvingo Chapter.
Masvingo Provincial Information Officer Rogers Irimayi paid tribute to Mpala as a dedicated journalist.
“There is really nothing we can do about it except to mourn and wait for our own days. We are thrown in this world for a meaningless purpose. All is just vanity.” said Irimayi.
Martha Leboho a local journalist who traversed the field of journalism on many occasions with Tavita quoted some of Tavita’s beloved chants in a heartfelt tribute.
“My only fear is poverty and premature death. If I marry wrongly, I will divorce straight up, one of your quotes babe, Fly high Tavita, hazvizi kutambirika” said Leboho.
Centre News Editor Godfrey Mtimba said the media fraternity has been robbed of a brilliant journalist.
“As the Centre News we are deeply saddened by the untimely passing away of a brilliant young talent in the broadcasting sector Tavita. She was a jovial, sociable and hardworking young lady whose future was bright. Unfortunately she cannot fulfill some of her dreams as God has decided, it’s only God who gives us time to live on this earth and he has taken away one of his angels.
To us we say the media fraternity has lost a cadre, a prominent figure, a person who believed in freedom of expression and access to information. She was an all-rounder who presented on topical issues of development, service delivery and also entertainment. The gap that she has left at GZU Campus Radio will be very difficult to fill in the Masvingo media sector and the country at large” said Mtimba.
she has left a fissure at the Voice of Choice that will be tough to replace.
