WINDHOEK - As New Era comes to grips with the passing of its talented writer and associate editor Desie Heita, messages of condolence have been pouring in from all corners, particularly the media fraternity, where he cemented himself as one of the best economic and financial scribes.

President Hage Geingob, in his condolence message to New Era Public Corporation (NEPC), lauded Heita’s contribution to the growth of the media landscape in the country.

“Without Mr Heita, the media landscape has lost a diligent and committed journalist,” the Head of State remarked.
Heita died in a freak accident at his home in Windhoek on Wednesday evening when a heavy gate allegedly fell on him.
The 39-year-old had been with NEPC for 10 years.

At the time of death, Heita was assigned as associate editor for the Kundana weekly paper and deputy editor for New Era.

The CEO of NECP Dr Audrin Mathe described Heita as a valuable member to the corporation whose work shall for decades be remembered by people from all walks of life.

“Desie has been a valued member of our team since joining us in 2008 and his work has touched lives across the width and breath of our nation.  We wish his family strength during this difficult time,” stated Mathe.
New Era Managing Editor Toivo Ndjebela, to whom Heita reported directly, described the deceased as the embodiment of a true professional who knew the trade of journalism well.

“Every evening before he left office, Des would come to me and ask if there’s anything else I needed him to do before going home,” Ndjebela recalled.

In the newsroom Heita will be remembered for his straightforward character, which is intolerant of ‘substandard’ stories as he would say in his own words, but a great mentor for pioneering journalists.

Heita was a clam in the newsroom whose voice was mostly only known through his work. But, when there was a joke to share, Heita laughed his lungs out.

A colleague from the business desk, Edgar Brandt, said he will miss his wisdom, friendship and guidance.
“With Desie everything has its appropriate time and place and when you saw him behind his desk you knew it was time for work only,” Brandt related.

Northern journalist Nuusita Ashipala described Heita as a great mentor.
“He taught me the ropes when I joined the industry, harsh at times but a great teacher. He was my boss at work and a friend thereafter. I will forever cherish Biggy’s (as I often called him) advice,” Ashipala related.
His body was found under a heavy gate at his residence in Klein Windhoek Thursday morning. It appeared the gate had accidentally fallen on him.

Freelance journalist Charles Tjatindi, who entered the media fraternity around the same time as Heita some 16 years ago, described him as “a great scribe, someone who could write something that could appeal, and a great person when it comes to putting emotions on paper.”

“I remember his last article about the land conference which he analysed. He just had a different style and different way of doing things when it comes to writing and that is one of his attributes that I really like about him,” he told Nampa.
Tjatindi respected him for the feature stories he wrote.
“His contribution to journalism will be missed,” he said.

Former Managing Editor at Omalaeti Group, Confidence Musariri described Heita as a gentleman.
“Take him for all in all, he was a gentleman... We will never see the likes of him again. Rest brother, your keyboard froze unexpectedly and the newsroom is chagrined [sic],” he said on social media. - Additional reporting Nampa