Zephania Ubwani’s legacy of excellence and dedication

It's with a heavy heart that I bid farewell to a titan of journalism, Zephania Ubwani.

His absence leaves an irreplaceable void, particularly in the realm of East African Community reporting, where his expertise was unparalleled.

Ubwani's byline was not just a name on a page; it was a mark of excellence and depth of understanding.

For those who are not privy to how The Citizen operates, Ubwani was the MVP when it came to covering stories about the intricate regional integration.

He was simply unrivaled on this subject matter, and the plethora of stories written over the years are a testament to that.

Read: Massive win for NMG journalists at EA Media Awards

When I assumed the role of Managing Editor at The Citizen in 2021, Ubwani's name was synonymous with top-tier reporting.

Being based in Arusha meant that our interactions were mainly through emails, calls, and messages.

During the early morning briefings from the news desk as I was getting accustomed to the new role, they would often point out that Ubwani was going to submit his morning briefings – stories he was pursuing for the day, via email, often mid-morning.

His late submissions were forgiven, for his writing required minimal editing and consistently delivered insightful narratives.

At first, I was a bit uncomfortable with the latitude that we had allowed him – and I would prompt the news desk to give him a call whenever the emails came in late.

But as I got to observe and understand more, it all made sense why Ubwani was allowed to operate the way he did.

His skillful writing lessened the load on editors. Anyone in the media space would tell you about the dreaded task of editing a story that is submitted late.

But in Ubwani’s case, we didn’t have to worry much about that.

Guiding him on story angles was merely a formality, as Ubwani's seasoned instincts always led him to stories that resonated with our readers.

His contributions often graced our front page, anchoring slow news days with captivating narratives.

The News Editor would bank on Ubwani to submit a 'splash-worthy’ article. Such is the integral role Ubwani played for The Citizen.

As a veteran journalist, his craft earned the trust and confidence of the newsroom.

Eventually, he earned my confidence as well, because whenever I read his stories, there was a certain richness to them that you wouldn’t find in any other newspaper, even if they published an article about the same topic and from the same event.

Ubwani's mastery of the English language was exceptional, elevating his writing above the norm.

His decades-long career endowed him with a depth of knowledge and a knack for storytelling that set him apart.

Meeting him in person only affirmed his dedication and passion for his craft, despite being well into his 70s.

Unfortunately, I can count the number of times I met Ubwani. The first time was a little over a year into my role as managing editor.

As a member of the Tanzania Editors Forum, I attended the 2022 Media Day held in Arusha at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC). That is where I first met Ubwani.

Here he was, in his grandeur. I was in ‘his city’, so I let him take the lead as he was telling me all about Arusha, the EAC, and some of the stories he was working on.

When I met him, Ubwani was already post-retirement but was still working with a level of passion and zeal as if it were his first day on the job.

Ubwani was a consultant for The Citizen, a role he assumed after years of dedicated employment at Mwananchi Communications Limited.

Under my tenure, I renewed his one-year contract three times, and I was looking forward to renewing it again this year.

Some people say that journalism is a thankless job, but I think Ubwani got his fair share of appreciation from many people who crossed paths with him on a professional level. The imprints of his work are evident and will last for posterity.

As a consultant for The Citizen, Ubwani continued to inspire and educate, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with him.

His legacy transcends mere appreciation; it's a testament to the enduring impact of quality journalism.

Though he may be gone, his contributions will continue to shape the journalistic landscape for years to come.

Mpoki Thomson is the Managing Editor of The Citizen