Thread: Smittie from Whk Observer has passed away

My thoughts go to Smittie's family and friends. This is sad news indeed and a loss to our country's media landscape. Smittie may have been an "old school" newspaper proprietor and not everyone agreed with his syle and presentation - never mind backpage girls - but he was one of the most hard-working, freedom-loving, dedicated and unique characters and will be much missed. Smittie spoke out when he thought something was not right, and he was brave.

Comrade, you say that "he was one of the most hard-working, freedom-loving, dedicated and unique characters and will be much missed. Smittie spoke out when he thought something was not right, and he was brave." How true, thanks for the kind words.

I think we will all remember Smittie as the man who started a free press in Namibia and South Africa, at a time when it was unthinkable. Even his back-page ladies were an act of rebellion back in the dark 80ies (and a brilliant marketing trick).

May his soul rest in internal peace and my condolence to the family and friends

My he rest in peace.

Well, one thing is for sure, The Observer won't be the same again........yeah, my condolences too... :-(

Today I heard that Smithie had died. Initially I wasn't really shocked, I mean he had been sick for a while and was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, but later I started thinking more about it and realised what a loss it is.

My first job as a journalist was with Smithie at the Windhoek Observer. Those were crazy years, how we survived them I dont know, but we did, in between the long hours, adrenalin rushed deadlines, crazy working hours, sometimes starting at 02h00, mostly at 04h00 and now and then even 24 hours non stop - how we managed that I dont know.

I mean, in today's age where would you still find such working conditions - you would probably be hauled in front of the labour commissioner in no time.
But we did it and managed to bring out a paper each Friday. Thats where I realised the importance of getting the story or photo at all odds and sticking to deadlines - lessons that made a big impression on me and that now guide my work ethic.

I remember once being sent on a trip early one Friday morning to Mariental, about 280km south of Windhoek to rush off to get a photo of a motor car accident. At the time I couldnt understand the importance of this - riding nearly 600km for one photo. But I got the photo and rushed back and it still made it to the paper in time for that Friday's edition. Now of course I understand the importance of that photo and so many since then - I myself have driven 100s of km to Walvis Bay, Otjiwarongo, Oshakati, Gobabis, Keetmanshoop or Mariental to name a few, just to get the photo - that obsessive compulsion, that addiction of photo journalists, that is not easy to explain.

Smithie was not easy to work for. He had no manners to say the least, he was downright rude and extremely egotistical. All his employees had a tough time, but they bonded us together - we shared something special, even if it was just surviving in a tough environment.

There were good friends - old Chris Coetzee, now also departed, Carina Koen, Lomin Saayman, Kate Burling, Carmen Honey, old Eddie and Fifi just to name a few.

But although the working conditions were rather harsh, they gave us something special - freedom and space to create and to become better journalists. He would rant and rave, about deadlines or this or that, but he seldom changed your story or inhibited your style.

He epitomised the pioneering spirit that defines this harsh country, even though he ranted and raved endlessly in his editorials about the lack of a work ethic, and the laziness and corruption that would lead to its downfall.

He was one of a kind, old Smithie, and there will never be another like him. His departure leaves this landscape quite bare and desolate... Farewell Smithie and rest in peace.