Newsman Kevin Malbrook passes away |02 March 2017

The local media family is in mourning following the passing of Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) TV journalist Kevin Malbrook.

Well-loved TV journalist Kevin Malbrook, known as ‘Kev’ to his colleagues, passed away yesterday morning (March 1, 2017) at the Seychelles Hospital.

Born on July 6, 1967, the 49-year-old had been ill for some time and had been away from the screen since as his health was failing.

It was upon his return to Seychelles from Greece where he had been living for some time that Kevin joined the SBC as a journalist on May 1, 1995.

The newsman covered every major news story in Seychelles but had a passion for court and crime reporting.

He also defended journalism's role in a democracy and in 2003 he won the prize for excellence in journalism in the television category.

Following the news of his passing, President Danny Faure said he was “in shock.”

He has described Kevin as “a good journalist and a defender of freedom of speech.”

“It was always a pleasure to answer his questions which touched on sensitive and controversial issues,” said President Faure who has sympathised with Kevin’s family, friends and colleagues.

SBC chief executive Antoine Onezime said “Kevin was passionate about court reporting and even when he was on leave he would come to work to report on many court cases.”

Mr Onezime added that Kevin used to tell him that he did his job in SBC’s interest.

“We’ve lost a colleague, a friend and a media professional. His absence will leave a void in the industry,” added Mr Onezime.

SBC TV chief editor Linda Rosalie described Kevin as “someone who always wanted to get to the root of a story”.

“He made sure a story he has come to know gets out in public, but only after he has treated it in its different angles,” said Ms Rosalie.

As for veteran journalist Pat Matyot, who is also in charge of training at SBC, he said “Kevin treated everyone the same way and always looked for balanced views in his reporting”.

In May 2009, he was chosen by the National Council for Children to accept a donation from businessman Liao.

Kevin read the speech 38 years ago when the Children’s Playground was opened for International Day of the Child on June 1.

Kevin will be laid to rest on Friday at the Takamaka cemetery.

Our thoughts are with Kevin’s friends and family.