“I have not been myself since I received a message on Saturday night, informing me about the passing of Mbencho Andrew Tazi Junior.
He was commonly called Tazi Swaggy, and on MMI, he bylined articles as Tambe Peter.
It saddens me even more that he had not worked for up two weeks before he became unwell.
Tazi Jr. was so young and full of dreams. I recall he was worried about telling me he was unwell until I asked and asked again. My last call with him was on Monday this week. It was a video call. I saw him in the hospital, looking very ok and even smiling.
He told me he could not wait to resume work, I told him not to worry, and that his health mattered more than anything. I planned to check up on him again after my work trip to London before the worst happened.
Tazi Jr. was ready to do all it takes to learn. He had applied to work with the team two years ago, and he was not recruited. He then went, did training on photo editing, canva, designs, and published, and reapplied.
The MMI manager, from that instance, saw a young man who was ready and determined to work and who would not let one refusal daunt his aspirations.
Tazi Jr. started work on May 29th, 2023, and he would ask the managing editor every day what he could do until he started slowing down due to ill health.
I have asked myself if there was something we could do to help. He personally told me “No mam, I just need some time off.”
There is so much impact he created in just a few days on the team.
Tazi Jr. didn’t want to leave us all unemployed. He wanted to be part of the MMI Team above all, and he made sure that happened.
On May 29th, 2023, the day he started to work with the team, he wrote very early in the morning, saying, “I am available and ready to work.”
This went on and on until he fell ill. Though unwell, he did not give up or use it as an excuse to stay away.
I write to honour a young but courageous man who worked so hard and created an impact before his untimely departure to the world beyond.
Tazi Jr. died before his 27th birthday. God is above man and knows better
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May his gentle soul rest in peace. May God fortify his family and friends
Mimi Mefo Takambou, Founder/Editor-in-chief, Mimi Mefo Info
