Burundi : Raymond Nzimana passes away, his colleagues keep his voice and memories

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, September 27, 2026— Burundian journalist Raymond Nzimana, director of the private radio station Bonesha FM, passed away Sunday morning after a short illness, SOS Médias Burundi learned from his colleagues. His passing has deeply saddened journalists, both in Burundi and in exile, who pay tribute to a dedicated professional, a talented reporter, and a colleague appreciated for his humor and generosity.

A leading figure in Burundi’s generation of independent journalists, Raymond Nzimana left his mark on several newsrooms, notably Bonesha FM, Royal FM, Voice of America, and the Iwacu media group, where he headed the web radio station.

His passing rekindles memories for many journalists forced to flee Burundi in 2015, after several independent radio stations were bombed during the failed coup that followed protests against the controversial third term of the late President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Whether they are former colleagues now in exile, journalists who worked in Burundi under his leadership, or professionals from other media outlets, the accounts are unanimous : Raymond Nzimana was a man deeply committed to his profession and to promoting independent journalism.

“I knew him from the early years at Bonesha FM radio and I recommended him to media outlets looking for reporters because I knew of his talent. Burundi has just lost one of its last journalists who fought for independent journalism,” testifies a former colleague currently in exile.

Another journalist, also in exile, recalls a scene that particularly struck him during an editorial meeting. A radio broadcasting instructor and trainer had come to congratulate Raymond Nzimana on a report he had produced in the style of vox pop interviews. The instructor, who didn’t know him personally, was impressed by the quality of the piece and wanted to express his admiration.

“We’ve just lost a true reporter,” said a former colleague from the Voice of America.

Another former colleague described him as a generous man, always willing to share his knowledge and experience with other journalists.

“He was a journalist with a big heart. Whenever he had professional insights to share with his colleagues or former colleagues, he did so with joy,” he said.

At Bonesha FM, Raymond Nzimana was also known for his humor and good cheer. Those who worked with him in the newsroom will particularly remember his expression “Ya Bisazi,” which he used to announce breaking news requiring immediate publication.

This phrase, which became familiar among his colleagues, will forever be associated with his personality and his years at the radio station.

A passionate field journalist, he knew how to report the news with enthusiasm and share his discoveries with his colleagues. His reports were often accompanied by jokes and convivial moments that contributed to the atmosphere in the newsroom.

Outside the studio, Raymond Nzimana was a very committed scout, another facet of his personality known to those close to him.

Raymond Nzimana’s passing comes after that of Égide Ndayisenga, another director of Bonesha FM, who died in November 2023 following a short illness.

The radio station had reopened on February 26, 2021, after several years of interruption following the destruction of its facilities in 2015. Since its reopening, the station has now lost its second director, a further blow for its journalists and all its listeners.

Born in 1983 in Rumonge, a port city in Burunga province, southwestern Burundi, Raymond Nzimana is survived by his wife and two sons.

His passing leaves a void in the newsrooms he worked for and among the journalists who shared with him the demands, difficulties, and joys of the profession. For many, he will remain the passionate reporter, the generous colleague, and the man behind “Ya Bisazi.”