RUTENDO CHIRUME
Abraham Lincoln once said ‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years’.
The same statement can be true on the life and times of a versatile journalist, Clayton Shereni who died at the age of 26.
Mukanya will be laid to rest on Thursday at Lawn Cemetery in Masvingo City.
His last day on earth came before he realized his full potential as a young journalist with barely five years in the media industry.
Shereni was a multi award winning journalist who scooped awards as a cub reporter and quickly made his name in the industry much to the suprise of both junior and seasoned reporters. Such was Clayton for us.
He was an all rounder Scribe who had surpassed the title of being a mere reporter, but had turned into a voice of the voiceless who was passionate about writing women and children issues as well as people living with disabilities. A true journalist par- excellence.
In the realm of journalism, Mukanya as he was affectionately called by his totem, was one of those rare individuals who possessed an unwavering dedication to truth, a leader in the media fraternity who was a shrewd tactician in his own right.
There are incidences, colleagues in the media industry would agree that he was outspoken and could fiercely challenge even his senior colleagues, defending in what he believed in especially when it comes to matters regarding growth of the journalism profession.
For his outstanding character no wonder colleagues entrusted him to hold leadership positions within the profession.
He was the Provincial Chairperson of the newly formed Zimbabwe Association of Freelance Journalists, a founding member of Young Union of Journalists (YOJA) Masvingo Chapter and worked with other associations like National Association of Freelance Journalists (NAFJ).
Despite the huge responsibilities on his shoulders to lead other journalists, Shereni was best known for sharing ideas and had a passion to mentor aspiring journalists.
Godfrey Mtimba , a veteran journalist and former Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) vice president whom Clayton worked with at the Media Centre in Masvingo at the time of his death, described Shereni as raw talent naturally gifted and, a masterpiece in news, gathering and fact finding. He had the nose for news.
It was heartening to hear on how Shereni showed dedication to his work as his last investigative story on Sinomine Bikita Minerals Pvt Ltd was completed while admitted at Masvingo provincial hospital bed.
His last piece is a marvel to read which shows how much the young man was dedicated to his work.
“As journalists in Masvingo and the media fraternity, particularly here at Masvingo Media Centre we are pained by the tragic death of one of us.
“We have lost a raw talent, a masterpiece in news reporting. He was committed to his work and had a healthy relationship with the people he worked with. Clayton was a respectful young man who had a promising future.
“We have lost a cadre, an upcoming scribe whom I believe was destined for greater heights and I feel he was taken before he had realized his full potential.
“It is God’s time and we know there is nothing we can do to change that. But we mourn the great journalist and we say rest in peace, rest easy scribe we will always cherish your good work.
“We are in loss of words to express our condolences over the loss of a fine journalist whose work is there for all to see,” said Mtimba.
YOJA founding president, Mlondolozi Ndlovu also expressed his grief over the death of the young scribe and described him as someone who had top notch interest in the field of journalism.
“As the founding president of YoJA I am saddened by Shereni’s passing on. He was brilliant and dedicated to his work. His interest to the fraternity was top-notch.
“I remember him as someone who had interest on the welfare of journalism. In his conversations he always said, we should unite to improve our welfare as journalists.
“He also had interest in young people, their participation in politics and citizen participation. We have lost a very dedicated journalist and we say may your soul rest in peace,” he said.
ZAFJ provincial secretary general, Patrick Chitongo said the late Mukanya was a man of his words and his energy was much needed during this time when they are trying to rejuvenate the body of freelancers.
“The untimely death of Clayton Shereni is so devastating, particularly during this time we were seized with rejuvenating the freelance journalism umbrella body, him leading as the provincial chairperson.
“He was a man of his words coupled with action on matters of progress. This is a very sad moment for Masvingo Province. May the Shereni family be consoled during this trying time and take this in their hearts that we are mourning together,” said Chitongo.
Away from the media fraternity, Shereni was a football lover, a staunch Dynamos and Chelsea fan.
He did his part to make a mark in the world’s most beautiful game at community level as he was Masvingo Footballers Trust (MAFT) chairperson and captain of a social soccer team, Guzzlers where he played as a left back and enjoyed roving the left flank.
After every match a win or a lose the youthful man will also find time to cheer up his mood out of the pitch, listening to his favourite musician, sungura ace, Alick Macheso.
In the wee hours of January 9, 2024, Mukanya breathed his last at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, casting a dark cloud in the media community of Masvingo.
Rest in power Clayton Mukanya Shereni, till me meet again.
