This archive report was first published on 19 August 2019.
August 19, 2019
As I write this, I am filled with a mix of emotions - sadness, concern, and a sense of hope. I am writing the obituary of my friend and colleague, Erick Kabendera, a journalist who has made a significant impact in Tanzania's media landscape.
Our paths crossed in 2004 when I was deployed to Dar es Salaam to start Tanzania's premier newspaper, The Citizen. I had been warned by James Nangwala, a celebrated lawyer, that it wouldn't be an easy task. But I was determined to make it work.
It was during this time that I met Erick, a young journalist who would go on to make a name for himself in the industry. I had personally interviewed over a hundred journalists and recruited 64 of them for different editorial roles. Erick was one of the fresh graduates I had accepted, and he quickly stood out as a talented journalist.
After I left Dar in 2005, I kept noticing Erick's progress. He went on to secure the David Astor fellowship and spent time in the UK, gaining practical experience. From then on, Erick became unstoppable as an investigative international journalist, reporting from the UN, South Africa, and even Europe.
When I returned to Tanzania in 2009, I was impressed to find Erick working at Reginald Mengi's IPP media, where he was a boost to my team as we created Kilimo Kwanza publications. He demonstrated that young Tanzanian journalists could tackle difficult beats and make them interesting.
Today, Erick's freedom is no longer secure, and I am writing his obituary. But I want to acknowledge his immense contribution to Tanzania's journalism. He is simply the most thorough journalist I have had the pleasure of working with.
