We are sad to bring you news about the impending departure of Patrick Burnett from Pambazuka News and Fahamu.
Patrick joined Fahamu in 2002 as a part-time research assistant for Pambazuka News. The impact of his presence on the Pambazuka News team was felt immediately. The quality of news and information appearing in what was to become later the Links and Resources section changed radically. Pambazuka News began providing a space to many of those who were engaged in social justice struggles in Africa whose voices were rarely heard.
A broader range of editorials and essays from activists and analysts began to appear in Pambazuka News as a result of Patrick’s work. And at the same time, he helped to manage a sister newsletter, Equinet News.
In January 2004, Patrick was appointed News and Information coordinator and took on primary responsibility for expanding Pambazuka News and involving a team of volunteers across the continent. The structure and quality of Pambazuka News began to develop in ways that we had hardly foreseen, matched by the steady and rapid growth in the number of subscribers and contributors.
A year later, in 2005, Patrick became the Online News Editor of Pambazuka News. Under his leadership, Pambazuka News was to win a range of international awards as the newsletter gained recognition as the principal forum for analysis, debate, discussion and information about the struggles for social justice in Africa.
There is little doubt that we owe much of the success of Pambazuka News to Patrick. Few people realise how much hard work is done by so few people to produce Pambazuka News. Gathering information across the continent, commissioning and reviewing articles, chasing recalcitrant authors to keep their promises, writing articles, undertaking research on multiple and complex issues - these are just some of the tasks that are involved. Combine that with the tyranny of the weekly deadlines, it is surprising that anyone is able to keep going.
Patrick has wanted, for some time now, to move on and develop his own work in journalism. He has been amazingly generous in agreeing to postpone his departure by several months pending our appointment of an online news editor and a researcher for the Links and Resources section of Pambazuka News. With these tasks completed, Patrick will be leaving on April 20, once the 300th issue of Pambazuka News has been put to bed. That we have reached this age is a testimony to Patrick's contributions.
As we celebrate the birthday of our 300th issue next week, please join us also in celebrating Patrick’s contribution to Pambazuka News. Patrick – thank you for all you have done. Go well. And keep in touch.
Firoze Manji
Editor Pambazuka News
