Popular broadcaster Mondale Smith dies from COVID-19

Fighting back tears, President of the Guyana Press Association Nazima Ragubir expressed shock and sadness at Smith's passing. She said his death was confirmed to her by the Health Minister.

Popular broadcaster Mondale Smith dies from COVID-19

The media fraternity in Guyana was thrown into mourning this morning as the Ministry of Health confirmed the death of popular broadcaster and former journalist Mondale Smith.

He passed away in the Intensive Care Unit of the COVID Hospital at Lilliendaal after being admitted there last week.

Fighting back tears, President of the Guyana Press Association Nazima Ragubir expressed shock and sadness at Smith’s passing. She said his death was confirmed to her by the Health Minister.

Ragubir and Smith worked together for a number of years at Prime News.

His media career spanned more than two decades. He worked at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation and later NCN as a radio broadcaster and later transitioned into his journalism role, working for a number of years at Kaieteur News and Prime News. He also hosted a number of television music and entertainment programmes.

In 2016, he landed a job as the personal assistant to the former Minister of Education Nicolette Henry and he remained in that position until the government changed last year. He was offered another role at the Ministry of Education but opted to leave and expand his catering business. He also hosted a daily show on Mega FM before the pandemic forced the show off the air.

A few months ago Smith further expanded his food business by opening his Chef Mondale creole restaurant on Church Street.

Friends and colleagues remember him as a happy soul and someone who always pushed himself to the limit and followed his dreams. He is also being remembered as someone who was always excited about life and living and loved Guyana, especially its rich culture and food.

Smith became ill with COVID-19 last week and remained at home at first before eventually being forced to seek medical help after his breathing deteriorated.

His last post on Facebook was made on the 25th May when he featured the Tamela Mann gospel hit, “Take Me to the King”.

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