By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
The Parliament of Zimbabwe yesterday joined the nation in mourning the untimely deaths of two veteran journalists, Tawanda Gudhlanga and Sandra Nyaira.
Nyaira, a former New Ziana, Daily News and VOA Studio 7 journalist died last Sunday and was laid to rest last week Tuesday.
Gudhlanga famously known for hosting a number of business programmes on ZBC TV and Classic 263 died on Wednesday.
Both reportedly succumbed to Covid-19 complications.
Speaking during a parliament session held Thursday in Harare, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Sipho Mokone extended condolences to the bereaved families.
“Once again a dark cloud hovers around the media fraternity.Last week we lost a journalist, Sandra Nyaira and just yesterday Tawanda Gudhlanga also succumbed to covid 19.
“We would like to extend our condolences to the families.May their departed souls rest in eternal peace.”
The MDC-T Matebeleland South legislator added that her committee was concerned over the rising Covid-19 cases in the media industry.
“As a committee we are concerned with the rising cases of infections in the media fraternity as we speak we are reliably informed Montrose studios in Bulawayo is hit hard by this scourge with more than 4 cases as well as Pockets hill here in Harare.
“We therefore urge the ministry to prioritize the safety of journalists,” she said.
At the time of her death, Nyarai was working as a Communications personnel at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethopia.
While Gudhlanga was as a station manager at YaFM in Zvishavane.
In 2017, the veteran journalist walked away with the NAMA award for the outstanding journalist in Radio.
