Mourning the untimely demise of THISDAY chief graphic designer

SIMBARASHE MSASANURI
Dar es Salaam

THE atmosphere was pregnant with sorrow and it was a heart-rending experience as the IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi, led scores of mourners, among them relatives, workmates and friends to pay their last respects to Redemptus Angelo Ngereza. The visibly shaken and heart broken mourners were slowly moving in a queue to catch a last glimpse of the deceased at the Kinondoni Cemetery in Dar es Salaam last Thursday.

Many people could not contain their composure as streams of tears could be seen rolling down their cheeks, others were sobbing while others were struggling to show their bravery as they looked, shook their heads in disbelief as if to protest to God on why he had taken their beloved colleague, a man who for many had gone too early.

The whole drama started on 23 April, 1971 in Mrutungulu Village, Ukerewe District, in Mwanza Region, when a boy was born. His parents named him Redemptus, a Latin name meaning emancipated, redeemed, liberated or freed. And, true to the meaning of his name, Redemptus, grew up into someone who was always willing to help by redeeming others through sound advices and an exemplary life many people lived to emulate.

To prepare for duties and tasks ahead of him, Redemptus joined Mrutungulu Primary School for his primary education before moving to Dar es Salaam where he enrolled with Mgulani Secondary School in 1987 to start his secondary education.

After completing his Ordinary Level in 1990, he later crossed the border to Nairobi, Kenya where he joined St Joseph’s Worker Training Centre for a certificate in Computer Software skills which he completed in 1995.

Soon after completing the course, he immediately joined the Guardian Limited as a graphic designer before moving to Mwananchi Communications Limited. (MCL) It was when he was at The Guardian that he gained a lot of experience and was a darling of many workers. Most of his workmates then, knew him for his ever smiling face and they nicknamed him Tembe.

Tembe left MCL in September 2005 to become one of the founding members of Media Solutions Limited as a graphic designer where he rose through the ranks to become the Chief Graphic Designer for both papers, THISDAY and KULIKONI.

It was a sombre mood in the newsroom last week on Monday after the news about the untimely death of the soft spoken Redemptus had filtered through. Many of his workmates could not believe it as he had last visited the office less than 24 hours before his death, in a jovial mood as usual. There was no sign on him that could suggest that he was not going to make it through the next 24 hours.

It had happened, Rede as he was affectionately known, had completed his journey on earth the previous day, August 1, 2010, after succumbing to what doctors say is Intracerebral haemorrhage or acute blood pressure (BP).

In utter shock and disbelief most of his colleagues could be heard reliving the last moments they had with the deceased. They, however, heaped praises on him, counting the losses as Rede's shoes were too big to be filled by anyone else.

John Badi, the Chief Photographer with Media Solutions Limited could not hide his disappointment. “ I knew him from the time we were together at Mwananchi Communications in 2005 before we moved to Media Solutions at the same time.”

“He was a good man, mcheshi, cooperative and we worked together harmoniously to produce the newspapers. He never quarreled with anybody, what he did best was his job. He was also a good adviser and consultant who was always willing to give advice and his input in both social and work matters,” he added.

Badi also said that the gap he has left will be very difficult to fill, He vividly remembers the last time he talked to him, soon after finishing producing last week's issue of THISDAY when Redemptus said the weekend was not going to be good as his pockets were empty. And they laughed over it hoping to meet on Monday but that was never to be.

Innocent Shirima, an IT and Database Administrator said: “I have known and worked with him for about five years. He was a very charming person and he was full of jokes.”

“He was a person who listened and had the time to advise you on anything. He spoke his mind and was always frank. He was very keen and sharp to his work. A few days before he died, he came to our office and was talking to almost everyone, telling stories and a lot of jokes as if he was bidding us farewell. We will sadly miss him.” he added.

At the grave yard, the Managing Editor of Media Solutions, Evarist Mwitumba, heaped praises on Redemptus saying he was a hardworking, dedicated and highly skilled worker who did not complain much about his job. He was cheerful, resilient and had the company, especially the newspapers at heart and this could be seen by the products he produced.

The IPP Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi also addressing the gathering touched on an important aspect humanity seems to be overlooking. He said that in most cases when a person dies, many people cry to God asking Him why, but they don't even bother to thank him for the period they spent with that person.

He said it was time humanity changed the perception of death whereby they would thank God for having been given the opportunity to have that person in their lives. He sighted examples that wives can thank God for having lived with the husband for a certain period and having had children and cherish their successes instead of blaming God for the death.

He went on to promise unconditional support to the family, by completing the house Red was building and to continue taking care of the widow and her child amid applause from mourners.

It really was a painful moment for many, especially when the coffin was being lowered into the grave. The widow could not stomach it as it was beginning to register in her mind that what will be left of her loved one are only imaginations and memories of the good and bad times they spent together.

As the undertakers were mixing concrete and at the same time covering the grave while mourners were singing Ee Bwana Bwana Ee Bwana, Wewe ndiwe mwenye haki . . . . , it was clear that our dear Red had finished his journey on this earth and was beginning another elsewhere.

When the Tegeta Roman Catholic Parish Priest, Richard Tiganya, finally laid the epitaph on the grave, it was like as if he was putting a seal to an era that had prematurely ended. An era many people will live to cherish.

Judging by the scores of people who gathered at the cemetery to bid him farewell, Rede was a man of the people, and as if to show him that he was loved even unto death, people took turns to decorate his grave with flowers. It was even more painful for many people as they watched the deceased's only child accompanying her mother to put flowers on the grave with her future looking bleak after having lost one of the most important people in her life, a father.

When the burial was finally over and mourners dispersing to their respective areas they knew they had given their loved one a befitting send-off. And, though he might be physically dead, his works will live to remind us of a warm and considerate person who completed his journey on this earth while we still needed him. Fare ye well Redemptus, a.k.a Tembe, a.k.a Rede, May your soul rest in eternal peace. Amen!

Ends.