Farewell to a Footsoldier of Truth- Remembering Veteran Journalist James Jemwa

The Post On Sunday

The media fraternity in Zimbabwe is mourning the loss of one of its most resilient and beloved figures, veteran journalist James Jemwa, who passed away on Saturday evening from injuries sustained in a tragic accident in Harare. His departure leaves a deep void, not only in his family and among colleagues, but in the broader struggle for truth and accountability in Zimbabwe.

Jemwa was not just a journalist, he was a fighter armed with a camera, whose lens often told stories the powerful wished remained hidden. Known for his unwavering dedication to his craft, he captured the unvarnished reality of Zimbabwean life, documenting both the ordinary and the extraordinary with a rare eye for truth. For years, his work enriched the struggle for democratic transformation, offering citizens and the world glimpses of the Zimbabwe many in authority preferred to obscure.

Jemwa and Paidamoyo Muzulu as journalists once got arrested and sent to remand prison for covering the demonstrations as led by the Dzamara brothers (in succession) at Africa Unity Square. he was with other opposition activists and party members at Chikurubi Maximum Prison including Gift ‘Ostallos’ Siziba, each and every time he would share the harrowing moments in the prison cells.

It was the advocacy and legal work of organisations such as Misa-Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and many others that got them bail and eventually acquitted.

“Colleagues remember Jemwa as a man whose deep voice and crackling laugh could fill a room. He had a way of diffusing tension with humour, even when delivering hard truths. At social gatherings, particularly at the once-vibrant Quill Club at the Ambassador Hotel, he would often tease fellow comrades with sharp but affectionate rebukes.

“MaCde makuita zvemari mazuva ano (Comrades, you are now pursuing self-enrichment),” he would quip, before breaking into a booming laugh. “Hamuchaita zve struggle (You have abandoned the struggle).” The laughter that followed was infectious, transforming what could have been cutting criticism into moments of self-reflection and camaraderie,” said Mlondolozi Ndlovu.

That ability to criticise without offending, to name uncomfortable truths without alienating, was Jemwa’s gift. It reflected the same qualities that shaped his journalism, courage, sincerity, and a profound commitment to truth-telling.

For Jemwa, the camera was not just a tool but a weapon in the fight for transparency and justice. He once said his lens was his only weapon, his livelihood, and his contribution to the democratic cause. But that same commitment to documenting reality often placed him in danger. He was arrested and spent time at Chikurubi Remand Prison, a punishment meted out for the crime of witnessing and sharing the truth. Yet he bore those scars without bitterness, recounting his prison experiences with stoic humour, even pride, seeing them as badges of honour in his life’s vocation.

His troubles with the state were well-known. At one point, police confiscated his beloved camera, the very tool that sustained his family. In 2020 another camera was damaged while covering a protests in Harare, It was only through the intervention of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) that he received a replacement, an act that marked his return to active journalism. That camera symbolised not only his craft, but his resilience and refusal to be silenced.

Messages of condolence have been pouring in from journalists, civil society activists, and ordinary Zimbabweans whose lives were touched by Jemwa’s work. Many recall his simplicity, his warmth, and his profound ability to blend seriousness with humour. His presence was felt wherever he went, whether in newsrooms, in the field, or at the Quill Club, where many young journalists drew inspiration and mentorship from him.

The closure of such media spaces in recent years has only deepened the sense of loss. “Without the Quill Club,” one colleague reflected, “I don’t think I would have known Cde Jemwa as I did.” For many, that place was not just a social hub but a space for free exchange of ideas, often animated by Jemwa’s booming voice and irreverent laughter.

Despite the challenges, despite the harassment, despite the risks, Jemwa never abandoned his calling. He remained a steadfast chronicler of Zimbabwe’s story, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. His life was a reminder that journalism is not just a profession but a calling, a commitment to speak truth to power, however uncomfortable.

The last time some colleagues saw him was during a quiet evening two years ago, when he had taken ill at home. Even then, he radiated his usual humour and strength. Few imagined that those moments would be among their last with him.

Now, the booming voice is silent. The crackling laugh has faded. The man behind the camera, who captured so much of our history and humanity, has taken his final bow. But his work, his humour, and his unwavering commitment to truth remain indelible.

As Zimbabwean journalists mourn, they also celebrate a life that enriched their profession and the country’s democratic struggle. In Jemwa’s passing, Zimbabwe has lost more than a journalist, it has lost a soldier of truth.

Rest in peace, Cde James Jemwa.