Renowned journalist and founding editor of The Daily News, Geoff Nyarota,has died

He was 74.

Nyarota passed away in the early hours of Sunday in Mutare after a prolonged illness. 

In recent months, he had publicly appealed for financial assistance to support his medical treatment.

A towering figure in Zimbabwean journalism, Nyarota held key editorial roles at The Chronicle and The Financial Gazette before becoming the founding editor of The Daily News in 1999. 

Under his leadership, the paper became known for its fearless reporting, often challenging the government of then-President Robert Mugabe.

In response, the newspaper was bombed by suspected state agents and later banned by the regime.

Nyarota’s career was marked by numerous international accolades, particularly during his tenure at The Daily News, where he championed press freedom in an increasingly repressive media landscape.

His tenure coincided with a turbulent period in Zimbabwean history—1999 saw the launch of the opposition MDC, a dramatic crash in the local currency, and the onset of farm invasions that led to the country’s economic collapse and international isolation.

More to follow…