Esteemed photojournalist laid to rest

The Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi, described photojournalist Elijar Mushiana as a unique man who was able to express what a thousand words could not. She was addressing thousands of mourners at the Vuwani Apostolic Church on Saturday, who came to pay their last respects to Mushiana on Saturday.

“Elijar was reliable and competent, but it was his hard work that made him a supreme photojournalist who devoted his entire life to the media industry. He was a man of substance, who earned the respect of everyone through his consummate work, not only in Limpopo, but across South Africa. The journalism industry and South Africa as a whole have lost a truly remarkable man,” she said.

Muthambi added that, through his excellent work, Mushiana had demonstrated that there was room for the industry to play a role as facilitator for development in our country. “His contributions will never be forgotten,” she said.

Veteran journalist and executive director of the South African National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) Mathatha Tsedu said the journalism industry would no longer be the same without Mushiana. “He was such a remarkable photojournalist, who would capture ordinary things in an unusual manner. He did his work diligently, not for the love of monetary rewards. It is rare to find people with work passion of Mushiana’s caliber. He was a guiding light to many young people who wanted to pursue a career in journalism, especially in Vhembe, where he originated.”

The editor of Sowetan, Mr Mpumelelo Mkhabela, said the newspaper had lost a valuable asset that would be difficult to replace. “His pictures were outstanding and he was one of the most loyal employees we could rely on. A dark cloud of mourning is hanging in our newsroom and things will no longer be the same without him. We thought he would recover and come back to join us but, unfortunately, God’s plan was far different from ours.”

After an emotional service at Vuwani Apostolic Faith Mission Church, Mushiana (41) was laid to rest at his family’s burial plot at Tshimbupfe village.

He was born on 28 May 1973 at Tshimbupfe Chielfarm village. He is the third-born child of his late father, Insp (Vhaingameli) Joseph Mpomokeni Mushiana and his mother, Selinah.

He completed Grade 12 at Tshimbupfe Secondary School in 1990. During this time, he developed an interest in photography. He briefly joined the South African National Defence Force but did not stay long because of his passion for photojournalism.

During the past 20 years, he worked for different media houses as a freelance photojournalist. These include Limpopo Mirror, City Press, Capricorn Voice, Sunday Sun, Sunday World, Sunday Times, Drum Magazine, Pace Magazine and Next Magazine. At the time of his death, he was photographic head of the Limpopo bureau of Sowetan in Polokwane.

When all local journalists were practicing their trades in the streets, Mushiana was the first one to establish an office in the heart of Thohoyandou. This was followed by the opening of his own news agency, called Northern Independent Press Association (NIPA), in 1993. He was a founder member of Vhembe Media Forum, of which he served as chairperson for two years in succession.

As a prolific and versatile media practitioner, Mushina won more than 20 awards during his lifetime, in addition to being crowned the 2012 Sowetan Photographer of the Year. A community builder in his own right, Mushiana taught photographic skills to local young journalists, free of charge. He strived for unity among the media fraternity by organizing countless workshops and award ceremonies to motivate fellow journalists.

A staunch member of the Old Mission Zion Apostolic Church, the ever-smiling Mushiana lost his battle with colon cancer at Polokwane Mediclinic on 27 July. He was furthering his studies with the University of South Africa at the time of his death.

He is survived by his mother (Selinah) two sisters (Mashudu and Livhuwani) and a brother (Joshua).

News - Date: 08 August 2014

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