Harare — RETIRED veteran broadcaster Elias Gwata has died. He was 65.

Gwata passed on at Parirenyatwa Hospital on Saturday after a long battle with kidney problems and diabetes.

He will be laid to rest at Warren Hills Cemetery today.

He worked alongside the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity Webster Shamu and the late Mbuya Miriam Mlambo at the then Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation.

Popularly known as Rikki Tikki Tayi among his fans in the late 1960s and 70s Gwata worked as a newsreader, presenter and sports commentator.

Minister Shamu has described Gwata as a true professional.

In a condolence message to the Gwata's family Cde Shamu said:

"I have no doubt that your grief is also deeply shared by many Zimbabweans who are sadly having to travel down memory lane with fond memories of the man's sporting programmes and newscasts on radio and TV."

"Let us now be guided by the slogan that says, 'Share your experiences with me today for the benefit of posterity'.

"May I on behalf of the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity and indeed on my own behalf convey our heartfelt condolences to Amai Rosebud Gwata, the children, family and friends. Your loss is our loss in the ministry," said Minister Shamu.

The family spokesperson Mr Ignatius Gwata said they had lost a breadwinner and pillar of strength.

"He was a man who was prepared to assist everyone in the family and this is a great loss to the family and the entire nation," he said.

Gwata was born in Mhondoro in 1944 and did his primary education at St Patrick's in Bulawayo before moving to Empandeni Secondary School in Plumtree where he did his secondary education.

After high school he taught at Bhubhude Secondary School in Tsholotsho.

He later moved to the RBC in 1966 where he worked for 13 years.

In 1979 he retired from broadcasting to work as a court interpreter but soon left to join the National Employment Council for the Catering Industry as an agent.

He rose through the ranks to become the chief agent, a position he held until his retirement in 2008 due to ill health.

Mourners are gathered at House Number 93 McNaughton Raod, Southerton, in Harare.