Durban - News of the untimely death of Ronnie Borain, 64, a veteran journalist for Independent Media (Independent Newspapers), who had a heart attack while on a training camp in Japan this week, has been met with disbelief.
Borain was assistant editor of the Sunday Tribune. A martial arts enthusiast, he had left South Africa for Japan last Friday. He died on Monday morning.
His son, Stephen Borain, said his father had been training with his sword “in great company and among friends” on a dojo floor in Narita, Japan, when he collapsed and died.
“I am honestly shattered to tell the people that knew and loved him, because he carried everyone he met on his shoulders, and I am even more saddened for those that hadn’t met him yet, because Ronnie was a giant among men,” he said.
Writing on Facebook, Stephen said Borain was both his hero and best friend, and the legacy he had left behind would be remembered.
He said he only hoped that one day he would be at least a fraction of the man he was.
“Ronnie took on the world’s problems and made it his life to serve others around him. Sitting still was never part of who he was, so I’m glad he will finally take rest, which he has earned. He owed this world nothing when he left,” he said.
“He has left us with the most beautiful memories, and I could not rewrite a better story for someone’s life than how he lived it. I will always remember the humble warrior that was taken by the blood moon.”
The Sunday Tribune’s editor, Aakash Bramdeo, said Borain’s death was a great loss for his family and the journalism profession.
“He was a mentor to many people, including his children, Mari and Stephen. He was one of the finest people I know – always positive and always ready to assist,” he said.
Former editor of the Sunday Tribune Peter Davis, who worked extensively with Borain, said he was a competent and efficient journalist who had an endearing manner.
“He was a very caring and sympathetic man. He achieved a lot because he was good in his work. He left us too soon in life, and he will be solemnly missed. I am proud to have worked with him,” he said.
Another long-time colleague, Independent News Media KZN marketing editor Gregory Dardagan, said Borain’s death was still hard for him and other colleagues to come to terms with.
“We were working with him last week on a great snake poster which the Sunday Tribune published last weekend. He was a veteran journalist of note … someone you could depend on totally in a crisis. He will be missed,” he said.
The Mercury