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GEORGE
MBUGGUSS
KENYA
HAS LOST A GREAT KISWAHILI JOURNALIST
Coastweek
- - The late Kenya newspaperman
George Mbugguss was the arch-model of a polished Kiswahili
journalistic personality.
His death has definitely
robbed hundreds of up-coming Kiswahili journalists (and their readers
as well) of a highly committed editor.
He was a paragon of the
media who contributed immensely in building up a good image of African
journalism.
He was endowed with many
journalistic talents, being a brilliant news editor and a perceptive
weekly columnist.
Wherever and whenever a
Kiswahili newspaper - especially so 'Taifa
Leo' - is read he will be fondly remembered: not only
for his well written articles but much more so for the professional
planning and layout of his pages.
I always found George to
be very helpful and co-operative with all his colleagues.
His own peers - who
included Omar Chambati, Bob Muthusi, Joe Kadhi, Maurice Sichalwe and
Joe Khamis - also admired his editorial out put and his obvious
dedication and devotion to his career.
This writer was
privileged to have worked with him when Nation newspapers
established a weekly pull out within Taifa leo, known as 'Jifunze
na Uendelee' for newly literate readers.
This was a generous
offer given by the late Michel Curtis to the Board of Adult Education,
in co-operation of UNESCO and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
(of which I was its representative to the editorial board).
He, along with Harry
Sambo, for six good years continuously edited the pull out to the
success and admiration of all concerned.
I have known George
since 196O and ever since we became family friends.
George Mbugguss was hard
working, punctual at his office, readily approachable and always
receptive to good ideas on Kiswahili writing.
He was man of his word,
reliable, and quick to fulfill his promise.
He was an admirable
conversationalist with a good sense of humour.
He was a resourceful
news man who could easily detect news values in any given item based
on their oddity, immediacy, conflict, proximity, suspense, emotion and
consequence. He had a sharp mind and considerable intellectual
perception.
George was a good man:
Kenya has irreparably lost a great journalist.
- Faraj
Dumila, Mombasa.
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