Asfaw Meshesha (Amharic: አስፋው መሸሻ; 1967 – January 2024) was an Ethiopian journalist, talk show host and producer best known for working in EBS TV.
Asfaw Meshesha | |
|---|---|
| አስፋው መሸሻ | |
 | |
| Born | 1967 |
| Died | January 2024 (aged 56–57) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Trinity Cathedral |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2000–2024 |
| Known for | Nuro Be America EBS Sunday Show |
| Spouse | Selamawit Assefa (died 2010) |
| Children | 1 |
Life and career
editAsfaw Meshesha was born in 1967,[1] and grew up in a privileged and influential family during the Ethiopian Civil War.[citation needed] He attended a school in Addis Ababa and became a member of the school debate team.[citation needed] In 1996, he graduated from high school and received a scholarship to study journalism at the University of Missouri. He completed his bachelor's degree in 2000 and returned to Ethiopia to pursue his career.[2][3]
Meshesha began his career as a reporter for the Ethiopian Herald, where he covered various topics. Later, he joined FM Radio 97.1 Irie Music at 2:00 PM, and became the most famous radio host and personality. Asfaw then moved to EBS TV, a first private television network in Ethiopia. He created and hosted Nuro Be America ("Life in America"). Upon returning to Ethiopia, he created the EBS Sunday Show, a weekly talk show that features celebrities and politicians. [2][3][4]
Personal life and death
editMeshesha was married to Selamawit Assefa, a popular Ethiopian actress, and they have a son named Samson (Japi) Asfaw (born 2004). Selamawit died in 2010 in a car accident. As a memorial, Asfaw founded the Selamawit Assefa Foundation, a charitable organization that supports orphans, widows, and victims.[2][3]
In October 2023, Asfaw suffered from a stroke and was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but his condition became aggravated soon. With $200,000 medical help of EBS TV colleagues, he moved to George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. for specialised care.[5][6]
Asfaw died from the complication and the matter of death was resurfaced on 13 January 2024 via social media.[5] He was survived by his friends and family members.[3] On 22 January, Asfaw's funeral service was held at Holy Trinity Cathedral before his body transported to Addis Ababa and a farewell program held at Millennium Hall.[7]
References
edit- ^ አስፋው መሸሻ 1959–2016 🕯🕯🕯🕯, retrieved 15 January 2024
- ^ a b c Dandessa, Chala (15 January 2024). "Asfaw Meshesha, Esteemed Talk Show Host, Passed Away". ETHIOPIANS TODAY. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d "ታዋቂው የቴሌቪዥን ፕሮግራም አቅራቢ አስፋው መሸሻ ከዚህ ዓለም በሞት ተለየ". BBC News አማርኛ (in Amharic). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Ethiopia Grieves the Loss of Asfaw Meshesha's Radiant Presence". Addis Insight. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Asfaw Meshesha, Esteemed Talk Show Host, Passed Away". Borkena Ethiopian News. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "EBS TV Journalist Asfaw Meshesha Death Linked To Brain Cancer: Obituary". 14 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ Bishaw, Feven (22 January 2024). "የአንጋፋው ጋዜጠኛ አስፋው መሸሻ የቀብር ስነ-ስርዓት ተፈፀመ". Welcome to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C. Retrieved 23 January 2024.