“I would rather die a meaningful death than live a meaningless life” – Corazon Aquino.
These words made me reflect on the loss South Africa experienced last week.
As a country, we are still mourning Gugu Zulu, a man who has done so much and contributed so much to many and who died doing what he loves – giving back.
He lived a life full of meaning and loved every second of the adventures he took.
But in all the sadness I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth when the media wanted to make his death a sensation.
People wanted someone to take blame.
I saw this happening again with headlines that tried insinuated foul play.
He was, and still is, a father, brother, son and husband. And he died – and all you can do is find ways to create controversy that is not even there.
Journalists have become more concerned about selling papers, breaking the story and being the first one to get the juicy insights as opposed to writing stories that will touch people’s lives.
A man died doing what he loved with his wife by his side and they tackled a challenge together to give back, to bring about change – for a good cause.
We should celebrate his life and learn from him. If you have a chance to influence people and make a difference to do good, then take it.
He loved his family and loved people. He was willing to share what he had and give to those in need.
We should reflect on his life and asking ourselves what have we been contributing with the influence we have, or have we been so focused on ourselves always wanting to be the centre of attention?
Gugulethu Mathebula Zulu left a legacy that will be shared for years to come and his daughter will always learn of what an amazing father he was, not from her mother only, but also from the stories that people will tell her about her father.
To my colleagues – we are also members of society as much as we are journalists. Let us not lose our humanity. Simply tell the truth, respect the reader, respect the person we are writing about and always think twice before writing every word.
