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Obituary: Damian Cook, remembered for his passion for Africa

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Damian Cook, founder and MD of E-Tourism Frontiers – a global programme that focuses on developing online tourism across emerging markets – died from a heart attack in Kenya on Sunday (November 20) at age 54.

Cook served for many years as digital/social media adviser to the African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA) and as a much-valued board director from 2013 to 2018.

Half day Gauteng easy e-Bike with wild game

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Always at the forefront of global digital tourism, he worked with tourism boards and organisations around the world, to train and educate tourism professionals in e-Tourism, while at the same time facilitating business across the global tourism industry.

ATTA posted this tribute to Cook on its website:

“Damian’s passion for Africa began at a young age, learning Swahili from a Tanzanian agricultural student when he was at university studying English and History in Brisbane in the late ’80s.

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His first trip to Africa was in August 1990 and he stayed for three months travelling from Zimbabwe to Kenya – very much the mirror end of what would be his last Africa trip – Zimbabwe and back to his home in Kenya, where for a night he reconnected with the much-loved dogs and his home in Watamu, filled with art and objects collected from his travels.

Damian was a global traveller and he had friends around the world, but his heart was in Africa and he would be happy that he will be laid to rest in Africa.

He was passionate about the travel community and was a champion for many different issues. His legacy will be working to promote African tourism, particularly online, with recent projects with the Zimbabwe tourism community and the Rwanda Gorilla project. His favourite line #keepmoving hopefully will encourage more travel across this wild and beautiful continent – a place he was proud to call home.

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It’s also very fitting that the last photo he posted was flying over the Victoria Falls in a microlight glider.

His lust for adventure and travel burned so brightly, and hopefully that energy will live on in the people and the communities that he worked with.

He will be sorely missed by all those he worked with. Our thoughts and prayers are with Elizabeth and family at this difficult time.”A

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According to We Are Victoria Falls, a tourism community initiative, Cook worked in Zimbabwe with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority on numerous occasions over the years in tourism development, strategic planning and digital marketing training projects, with the most recent being under the Zimbabwe Destination Development Program as the lead trainer on the “Let’s Get Digital” upskilling program for tourism businesses in Victoria Falls, and their market segmentation analysis project.”

“His lust for adventure and travel burned so brightly and it is fitting that on his final two trips to Victoria Falls, Damian did the bungee jump, and then his last photo posted was flying over Victoria Falls in a microlight glider,” organisation said.

“On behalf of the Victoria Falls community, our thoughts and deepest condolences and prayers go out to Damian’s family, colleagues and friends during this very difficult time. He will be sorely missed by all those whom he worked with, and by all the destinations he impacted in such a positive way, including ours.”-VicFallsLive and Daily Southern and East Africa Tourism Update 

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RemitHope launches “100 for 10” campaign to raise $100K for grassroots organisations across Africa

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

RemitHope, a pioneering fintech social enterprise – founded by global philanthropist and social entrepreneur Tsitsi Masiyiwa – has launched a bold campaign to raise US$100 000 in just 60 days for 10 grassroots organisations serving some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

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The campaign – themed “100 for 10” – seeks to channel life-changing support to organisations on the frontlines of health, education, gender equity and community resilience.

The 10 beneficiaries span nine African countries, including Cancerserve (Zimbabwe), Cáritas Regional De Chokwe (Mozambique), Empowered Girls (Tanzania), Ewang’an Nadede Advocacy Initiative (Kenya), Child Restoration Outreach (Uganda), Hands of Hope (Zimbabwe), Bana Ba Metsi (Botswana), Njira Impact (Malawi), Phelisanong Children’s Centre (Lesotho) and Refugee Children’s Project (South Africa).

“The 100 for 10 campaign is intended to harness the transforming power of small acts of generosity into life-changing opportunities for communities too often overlooked. And every dollar given delivers hope, dignity, and the promise of progress,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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Running from September 15 to November 15, 2025, the campaign pivots RemitHope’s unique model of transparency, real-time storytelling and direct funding to vetted local partners, ensuring every contribution makes a measurable difference.

In a powerful show of commitment, and leveraging its network of donors and partners, RemitHope has pledged to match every donation given, dollar-for-dollar – effectively doubling the impact.

“If you give $5 it becomes $10, give US$50 and it becomes US$100. This is multiplying hope, opportunities, and futures with every dollar donated,” she said.

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The campaign builds on RemitHope’s recent success, where the platform raised over US$81 000 in funding to rebuild Mt Selinda Orphanage in Zimbabwe after a devastating fire swept through the institution.

That effort demonstrated RemitHope’s unique ability to mobilise rapidly, scale generosity and deliver urgent impact.

“We’ve witnessed how extraordinary things happen when people unite in moments of crisis. And now, with 100 for 10, we are channelling that same spirit beyond emergencies, for the long journey of community-led development,” Mrs Masiyiwa said.

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RemitHope seeks to unlock the transformative potential of diaspora remittances – redirecting a portion of the more than US$90 billion sent to Africa annually, into structured, high-impact community giving.

By blending trust, technology and targeted generosity, RemitHope aims to mobilise US$50 million for grassroots organisations over the next five years.

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New 600 schools vs. reality: Mat North rural students trek over 10 kilometers for class

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a recent parliamentary session, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, proudly announced that the government has constructed over 600 schools across Zimbabwe between 2022 and 2025. “I can happily inform this House that we have constructed more than 600 schools,” he stated, adding that “this year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools in 2025.”

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Despite this achievement, reports from Matabeleland North province reveal a stark contrast, where students in rural areas often walk over ten kilometers to reach their nearest secondary schools. For example, in Nkayi, learners from areas such as Menda and Mantshololozane must travel long distances to access secondary education at Tohwe and Nkayi High Secondary Schools, which are situated more than ten kilometers apart. This trend has persisted, making it difficult for many students to pursue beyond primary education.

While the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to educational development, the experiences of many rural students paint a different picture. One legislator noted, “We were informed in this House that we have a deficit of 3 000 schools in Zimbabwe… what could have probably caused the mushrooming of these schools is the fact that there is a gap, and children do not have to walk long distances.”

In response to the issue of unregistered schools, Moyo addressed concerns, stating, “It is mandatory for any school to be registered before they can operate.” He explained that there is a dedicated department responsible for school registration and encouraged those operating illegally to regularize their status.

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Four men on the run after allegedly killing man over relative’s death

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

Four people from Silobela are being sought by the Zimbabwe Republic Police for their alleged involvement in a gruesome murder that took place on Sunday.

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The police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Thandelwenkosi Moyo, who was allegedly killed by the four suspects after being accused of killing their relative.

According to the police report, the incident occurred at Munklenuck Village, Inyathi.

The accused have been identified as Nyoka, Zizimuzi, Mboya, and Aweli.

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The police report states that the four suspects took turns to attack the victim with booted feet and a sharp object, resulting in his death at the scene.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing to anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward and report to the nearest police station.

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