Swazi Observer shows class in the face of tragedy

During last Thursday's emotional prayer service in the Swazi Observer newsroom, Managing Editor Mbongeni Mbingo urged his journalists and entire staff to come up with creative ways of honouring the newspaper's fallen charismatic Editor Thulani Thwala.

During the prayer, held at 12 noon, the entire newsroom was still trying to get to terms with the shocking news which had started trickling in at around 6am earlier that day. Thwala had left the newsroom at around 11pm on Wednesday night.

A passionate Mbabane Highlanders supporter, Thwala jokingly suggested "Bull gore Green Mamba," as the back page headline for the following day's paper to Sports Editor Mphikeleli Msibi after his beloved Highlanders had ended Mamba's unbeaten start to the season.

Before he left the newsroom, Thwala gave Msibi a muffin and told him they would discuss Highlanders' victory in Thursday's Editors meeting. He shouted, "Exe Mphikzo, ngtakubona ksasa outieyami," as he walked out of the door. That would be the last time he set foot at the Observer. He never returned.

Instead, the Observer staff were greeted with the tragic news of Thwala's passing as they woke up and arrived at work in the morning. The prayer service on Thursday was as emotional it could get. Everyone was still reeling from shock and yet the Observer staff pulled themselves together to give their fallen hero a proper send off.

The following day's cover page story was of course that of Thwala's passing. Then, for the entire weekend, the newspaper dedicated at least two pages for running condolence messages from staff.

On Monday, the day of Thwala's famous weekly column titled 'My turn,' an entire page was left black and blank, marking the end of an era. It was titled, "Editor assigns Cabinet Part (II). Thwala had done a similar piece which received rave reviews around the country a few days earlier.

Then on Wednesday, the newspaper announced the opening of a condolences book at its offices in Mbabane and invited the public to sign it. Thursday's newspaper had a two page special dedicated to all those who came to sign the book.

And then for the night vigil and funeral at Nyakeni, 95% of the Observer's staff were there. From marketing to circulation to the editorial department and others, they came in their numbers to bid farewell to their fallen boss.

It was Observer staff who picked up Thwala's coffin into the hearse as the funeral proceedings departed the Thwala homestead for the gravesite. Managing Editor Mbingo, Photographer Lucky Simelane, Observer on Saturday Editor Alex Lushaba, amongst others, were there, side by side, carrying their colleague's coffin to its final place.

The Times of Swaziland, Eswatini's only other daily newspaper, a big rival of the Observer, also played its part. Writing in his column last Friday, Times Managing Editor Martin Dlamini paid glowing tribute to Thwala. Also writing in his famous column on Tuesday, Times Sports Editor Lwazi Dlamini dedicated almost half of his space to pay tribute to the man fondly known as 'Mr T.' ME Dlamini was amongst many Times journalists at Nyakeni as Thwala was laid to rest on Saturday morning.

In the face of the biggest storm the newspaper has faced in recent history, the Observer responded magnificently. Its handling of this entire tragic situation had class written all over it. So did the Times, showing so much class. Wherever Thwala is, give a chance to see all of this, he would be immensely moved.

The doyen of Eswatini journalism got the send off he deserved.

By Sibongiseni Zondi