JOHN MUSUKUMA was a man with a vision of true public service broadcasting, independent of state control and free from the dictates of big business. He was consumed with a passion for democracy.

He saw the future of democracy in the SADC region as inextricably linked to a flourishing and free public broadcasting sector. This was the credo of SABA. It was also John's credo.

I worked with John as Projects Director from 2004 when SABA was housed at the SABC's Broadcasting Centre in Johannesburg. He was the epitome of a secretary general. He took great care of the affairs of SABA, preparing the documentation and the minutes of the board meetings and the General Assembly.

No one could record minutes like John. He prided himself with a superb command of the English language. And although the job often becomes entangled with the sluggish responses from some of SABA's state broadcasters, and with frustrations aplenty, John Musukuma kept his cool. He was the consummate diplomat. His door was always open, and his advice was something to be cherished.

I remember once when there was a dreadful hold-up in the Information 21 Project which was my responsibility. It was Christmas time and everyone was getting ready for the holidays. I told John that I was not getting any response. John asked me to let him tackle the bottleneck. He promptly travelled to the broadcaster in question, marshaled the signatories which included the broadcasting chief and returned with all the documents signed. Of course we only saw the result afterwards as the office had shut down for Christmas.

I also remember once when we were hosting some top executives at a luncheon. One of the guests asked for wine which I promptly arranged. I could see from John's face, it was not appropriate. It was a working visit and alcohol during the day in his book was out.

On the wider front John pioneered the admission of independent broadcasters as ordinary members of SABA and steered the groundbreaking Guidelines and Principles on Elections Coverage in the SADC Region through its various stages until eventually it was adopted unanimously by all SABA members at the SABA General Assembly in Arusha in 2005.

He was a deeply religious man never missing Mass at St Charles' in Victory Park. He was immensely compassionate and humble and proud of his wife and his children and spoke often of them.

I remember when SABC Executives tried to pressure John into 'upgrading' his old Toyota sedan how John would say he could not understand it. His old car was in perfect running order and he found this desire for executives to waste money on unnecessary luxuries amusing. He was also careful to avoid waste. I remember the reams of used paper which was simply turned over and used again.

Secretaries sometimes found it hard to adapt to John's meticulous ways. And in many respects I think it true to say that John was a product of an old school. He had learnt office etiquette on the Copperbelt and it served him well.

He was a gentleman in every respect and I don't think we shall see his like ever again.

May the Angels lead you into Paradise, may the choirs of martyrs welcome you to the Eternal City, the New Jerusalem.

Requiescat in Pace.

(sardc.net)

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