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Veteran ZBC broadcaster dies
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Veteran Zimbabwean news reader and respected academic Joseph Madhimba has died in Namibia, marking the end of a distinguished career that spanned journalism, broadcasting, and education.
Madhimba passed away early this morning in Okahandja, a town located about 60km north of the Namibian capital, Windhoek. He had been unwell for the past year after suffering a stroke that led to heart failure, and had been in hospital for much of that time.
Madhimba is widely remembered as one of Zimbabwe’s most talented and iconic news readers during the golden era of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), an institution once filled with broadcasting excellence, though later undermined by state interference.
Having joined ZBC soon after independence in 1980, Madhimba brought with him international experience from Montpelier, France, where he trained in journalism and worked with the Agence France-Presse (AFP). At ZBC, he initially worked as a sub-editor before rising to the role of news reader under the stewardship of the late Claude Mararike, who was then head of news.
Madhimba worked alongside a powerhouse team of broadcasters that included Grey Tichatonga, John Gambanga, Busi Chindove, Isidore Gwashure, Robin Shava, Everisto Mwatse, Themba Hove, Caleb Thondhlana, Patrick Nyamhunga, Dorcas Munyoro, Praexedes Dzingare, Themba Bassopo-Moyo, Noreen Welch, and Alice Chavunduka, among others.
He eventually left ZBC as the station fell deeper into the grip of political control. Under Zanu PF’s increasing influence, ZBC was transformed from a national broadcaster into a propaganda tool — a fate symbolic of broader national decline.
After leaving Zimbabwe, Madhimba relocated to Namibia, where he became a lecturer at the Polytechnic of Namibia and also worked in financial markets. He remained active in academic circles until his health began to deteriorate in early 2024.
His passing has been met with sadness and reflection across the broadcasting and academic communities, with many remembering him as a consummate professional, whose voice and presence defined an era of Zimbabwean television journalism.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Madhimba passed away early this morning in Okahandja, a town located about 60km north of the Namibian capital, Windhoek. He had been unwell for the past year after suffering a stroke that led to heart failure, and had been in hospital for much of that time.
Madhimba is widely remembered as one of Zimbabwe’s most talented and iconic news readers during the golden era of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), an institution once filled with broadcasting excellence, though later undermined by state interference.
Having joined ZBC soon after independence in 1980, Madhimba brought with him international experience from Montpelier, France, where he trained in journalism and worked with the Agence France-Presse (AFP). At ZBC, he initially worked as a sub-editor before rising to the role of news reader under the stewardship of the late Claude Mararike, who was then head of news.
Madhimba worked alongside a powerhouse team of broadcasters that included Grey Tichatonga, John Gambanga, Busi Chindove, Isidore Gwashure, Robin Shava, Everisto Mwatse, Themba Hove, Caleb Thondhlana, Patrick Nyamhunga, Dorcas Munyoro, Praexedes Dzingare, Themba Bassopo-Moyo, Noreen Welch, and Alice Chavunduka, among others.
He eventually left ZBC as the station fell deeper into the grip of political control. Under Zanu PF’s increasing influence, ZBC was transformed from a national broadcaster into a propaganda tool — a fate symbolic of broader national decline.
After leaving Zimbabwe, Madhimba relocated to Namibia, where he became a lecturer at the Polytechnic of Namibia and also worked in financial markets. He remained active in academic circles until his health began to deteriorate in early 2024.
His passing has been met with sadness and reflection across the broadcasting and academic communities, with many remembering him as a consummate professional, whose voice and presence defined an era of Zimbabwean television journalism.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Source - online
