Shock death of BBC’s Komla Dumar

I guess I’m part of an unfortunate club called insomniacs. For me this often means waking up around 3-4am and not being able to get back to sleep. As a result I’d often creep down stairs, make a cup of cocoa and watch the BBC News.

Most mornings the BBC world and national news was presented by Komla Dumar. This man filled the screen with his presence; smart, clear, knowledgeable and friendly. I often wondered watching him on TV, ‘why on earth is this man never given a mainstream time slot? And now I’m angry and sad. Sad because over the weekend I learned that this brilliant young man suddenly died of a heart attack at this home in London, and angry because the BBC never saw him as main stream with a time that went with that status. To read their tributes to him they simply describe him as their ‘Africa specialist’.

Well he may have been a specialist African correspondent as well, - he fronted African programmes some of which were not broadcast here. But as he read the main stream news and interviewed countless individuals, particularly around business during those very early mornings his effortless skill was in main stream. In fact the only time he made particular reference to Africa, was during items regarding the African football nations cup.

It is true that Africa has lost a great talent, but it’s equally true that we have too here in Britain.

Condolences to the Dumar family. Rest in Peace Komla

Simon Woolley