Filmmaker, broadcaster, writer and former public prosecutor, Olley Maruma is no more. He passed away, aged 57, at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare on Thursday (7 Jan 2010) after complications from a surgical operation. Apparently, he had been ill for some time but many of his close associates in literary and business circles were not aware of it.

He is survived by two children.

Olley Tsino Maruma was a freelance journalist, working for both the print and electronic media since the 1980s. He was a former secretar-general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ).

He was born in Bulawayo and received his education at Waddilove institution and Goromonzi High School where he acquired his O’ Levels. In 1972 he left the country for the UK, returning in 1980 just before independence.

During his time in England, Maruma completed his A’ Levels and enrolled at the University of Kent in Canterbury where he graduated with a B.A. Honours in Law. He also received vocational training in Television Procuction at the British Council’s Media Department in London. As part of his training, Maruma was attached to the BBC’s Current Affairs Television Programme, Out of Court.

Upon returning to Zimbabwem Maruma worked briefly as a Public Prosecutor before joining the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation as a Television Producer/Director and Newsreader.

In 1983, Maruma was off to France where he received training in film production at Sertis Vacari Films and Societé Francaise de Production in Paris.

For six years, after his subsequent return, he lectured on Television Production at the Harare Polytechnic’s Institute of Mass Communications.

1986 saw him being elected as the chairman of the Zimbabwe Film and Video Associatoin.

^ Socialite of note. Olley Maruma (left) pictured with Pamberi Trust's Mandla Ncube at the opening of the International Images Film Festival for Women, 7 Arts Theatre Harare, 20 November 2009.

Maruma produced many documentaries, television programmes, including the well-known fifty-four minute drama film titled Consequences and a 35mm feature film titled The Big Time.

In 2007 his first Novel, Coming Home, funded by the Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust, was published by Gonamombe Press. The book launch was held only last year (2009). At the time of his death he was working on his second novel titled Time: The Good Sister’s Brillo Pad.

He was also a board member of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings and board chairman of Kingstons Entertainment, a subsidiary of Kingstons Holdings.

He enjoyed spending time with other writers and was often seen at the Book Café’s poetry slams, where he often took part. He was also an avid participant in literary discussions.

In the circles he hung out in, Maruma will be remembered as a very vocal man. He was never afraid to voice his opinion even if it differed from those around him- and it often did.

Rest in peace Olley.

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Aneni  - The right to speak   |2010-01-11 03:47:35 It is people like Olley who make the statement, 'I may not agree with what you say but will defend to the death, your right to say it'. It is good when we do not all agree. If only we see the goodness. Rest In Peace Olley! Reply 1   0

Poetry Slammer   |2010-01-11 06:39:20 What a shock Olley. Reply 0   0

Poetry Slammer   |2010-01-11 06:39:43 Rest in poetic peace my friend. Reply 0   0

Alex Moyo   |2010-01-11 10:25:29 You're right about Olley having been very opinionated. That's what made him Olley. Condolences to the children. Reply 0   0

Metaphysics   |2010-01-18 17:08:55 BIG O' Rest in Peace - it was an honor to have worked with you and shared and enjoyed your company on many great occasions. Reply 0   0

doc vikela  - r.i.p   |2010-01-24 12:00:17 rest peace the grat genius of our time. i still remember you sain to at the book cafe," The walls of Troy could never have stood forever nomatter how storng they were". until today i still dont know why it was so from your point of view-rest in peace- Reply 0   0

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