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Caribbean L 40 ife, JUNE 18-24, 2021
Guyanese journalist remembered
at night of reflection
By Tangerine Clarke
Seasoned Guyanese media operative,
Mondale A. Smith was the epitome of
joyfulness. His laughter filled a room,
his kindness touched many lives, and
while his dream to save
the world has ended, there
is no doubt, the mark he
has left on this earth will
forever be etched in the
minds of many.
Smith died on May
31, from complications
of COVID-19 after being
admitted to the infectious
disease hospital in Georgetown,
where he lived.
He was 44.
Four months ago, Caribbean
Life was the last
publication to feature
Smith’s incredible journey
from a young man with a
dream of becoming a professional
chef.
Mondale A. Smith relaxes
at his restaurant
Chef Mondale’s Kitchen
in Georgetown, Guyana
after chatting with this
reporter for a feature
in Caribbean Life, last
January. Photo by
Tangerine Clarke
His vision was realized,
and in November 2020,
Chef Mondale’s Kitchen
welcomed patrons. Last
January, this reporter was
served a meal by Smith,
who sat down for a conversation about
his stirring life that unfortunately ended
shortly after.
During a recent “Night of Reflection,”
streamed live on HGPTV Guyana, colleagues,
friends, fans, and family members,
looked back on the incredible life
Smith lived.
Younger sister, Destiny Stout, recalled
the kindness he showered her, ensuring
she was always protected.
“This is a very difficult loss for us. We
will miss Mondale more than words can
describe.”
“We will forever cherish his love for
God, his kindness, his support and his
humor. Mondale was selfless. He had an
optimistic view on life when he shared
family stories.”
“Mondale was a strong believer of
enjoying the good times. He excelled in
every task he took on. He was inspiring
to us all. We will miss his infectious
laughter,” she continued.
‘He touched every person he met, and
was loved by many. He was truly an angel
on earth. I hope everyone knew the great
person he was, and that his memory will
continue to live on in our hearts and our
minds forever,” said Destiny.
University of Guyana classmate Narissa,
said Mondale shared his last dollar
with anyone who needed it most. She
described him as charismatic; when he
walked into a room he commanded it.
He had a way of making everyone feel
comfortable. When he flashed a smile,
it melted your heart. He had the ability,
regardless of what he was going through,
to put his issues aside and focus on
someone else’s, she recall.
“Mondale loved culture and all things
Guyanese, he was kind. He loved to sing.
He embodied who we are as a people.”
“As we remember him and reflect on
his works and what he meant to all of us
in different aspects of our lives. Let us
try to put our best foot forward. Be selfless,
be compassionate, be
loving, and remember to
always smile the way he
did through darkness, and
pain, and being wonderful,
to not only those around
him, but those who came
into contact with him.
I look forward to great
things in his memory,”
said Nerissa.
Emcee, Carwyn Abrams
reminded, that Smith
made a huge contribution
to media, starting out at
the Guyana Broadcasting
Corporation, where he
was persistent on being
on the radio.
He joined Prime News
TV, where Nazima Raghubir,
first met him 20 years
ago, as a young reporter,
and partnered with Smith
on her first assignment.
She said it was one of the
most educational experiences she had at
that time, adding, that Mondale, a funloving
person, taught her a lot about the
profession.
“He sang and danced, he loved the
camera, and always did ‘Stand Up’ comedy
on assignments. He loved meeting
people, and loved to highlight issues
that were very close to his heart. He will
always be a journalist to me, because
he never gave up the opportunity to
inform,” she shared.
In a moving tribute, radio host of
103.1 Real FM Mirrano Isaacs, called
Smith a true friend. “He wanted to be
a broadcaster, but the standards at the
time were very high, but he never gave
up. It took him five years to get the job.”
“He became a journalist at Kaieteur
News, and presented musical programs
on television including Caribbean Music
Box and Sunday Kind of Love. He minded
people’s business in the Situation Room
and offered advice on religion, politics,
money, and sex, controversial topics, but
he enjoyed stirring up controversy.”
He was also a producer on Soulfully
Yours at SafeTV2, senior journalist at
Guyana Times, manager at BTV Ch2,
and general news reporter at CNS ch6,
News Today.
“He emcee national events like the
flag raising Ceremony, and Emancipation
programs, and I always attended,
because I liked to see what he was wearing,”
said Isaacs, who admired Smith’s
adventurous spirit noting his stint at
Televisie Stichting, Ch8 Suriname.
“He loved being Guyanese and had
high hopes for our country, and felt that
we could overcome petty differences and
come together like we do at cricket, and
Mashramani.”
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