Tsedu: Mushiana beat the odds to succeed

THE death of Elijar Mushiana, well-known photojournalist, was mourned by many at his funeral that was held in Tshimbupfe on Saturday.

Mushiana died of colon cancer at Mediclinic Limpopo last week.

He left his mother, two sisters, and a brother behind.

Speaking at the funeral, South African National Editors’ Forum executive director, Mathatha Tsedu, described Mushiana as a man who had boarded the media boat during the years when there was little or no access to the Internet.

He said it had been difficult and frustrating for journalists based in rural villages to do their work effectively.

“He graduated from being a victim of circumstance to being a well-rounded person,” Tsedu said.

“Back in the year 2000, Mushiana could be found negotiating with taxi drivers operating from Thohoyandou to Johannesburg to deliver his photographs to the Sowetan office. Sometimes the taxi got stuck along the way and that meant his work could not be published because he missed the deadline,” he recalled.

He said journalism needed determined people like Mushiana.

Also present at Mushiana’s funeral was communications minister, Faith Muthambi.

Muthambi said she grew up in the same area with Mushiana, and he was a man who loved photography. She said Mushiana exposed many things happening in the deeply rural area of Tshimbupfe and the surroundings.

He was a friend, but when it came to his job, he wouldn’t hesitate to expose anyone, regardless of who they were, Muthambi said.

“When my sister was murdered, he is the one who exposed the whole story and recorded everything through his lens. I will remember him for his kindness,” Muthambi said.

Sowetan editor, Mpumelelo Mkhabela, said although Mushiana was dead, his work would remain as an inspiration to up and coming photojournalists. He said Mushiana stood tall in his work and Sowetan never recorded any misconduct from him.

“We awarded him a certificate for being Sowetan photojournalist of the year in 2013 and he asked me if we really mean it.

“We told him that the award was the fruit of his hard work. He is dead, but his voice will always be heard in the archives of different newspapers,” Mkhabela said.

Vhembe mayor, Tshitereke Matibe appealed to the people of Vhembe to remember Mushiana when naming streets and when doing memorial lectures.

Mushiana was buried at Tshimbupfe in the family grave yard on Saturday.