Zanzeer Singh, a well-known sports journalist in the country, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 49 after a prolonged illness at the Lautoka Aspen hospital.
His younger brother, Ranbeer Singh, a former journalist with Fiji TV, reflected on Zanzeer’s life, stating, “He lived a happy and sociable life, known for hosting gatherings and social events. He had a generous and kind heart.”
Charlie Charters, a former official with the Fiji rugby union and a sports marketing executive, praised Zanzeer, describing him as a remarkable reporter who exhibited great humanity, integrity, and humor. Charters noted, “I often directed news tips to him during his shifts because he was an exceptional wordsmith and adept at advocating for his stories in the newspaper.”
Jone Kalouniviti, a writer, acknowledged Zanzeer as a true representative of the media from the region, stating, “He was a genuine sports journalist, skilled in his craft and great with people. Some found him straightforward, perhaps too blunt, as he didn’t like to waste time. However, his sense of humor, although sometimes intense, was still very amusing.”
Indra Singh, the news director at FBC, called Zanzeer a legend among his colleagues, noting, “His unique and simplistic approach to storytelling was remarkable. He was always willing to help others and never turned anyone down. He enjoyed his beer as much as he loved sports. We have lost a wonderful individual who brought joy and laughter into our lives and taught us to embrace life. My condolences to his family; he will always be remembered.”
Zanzeer Singh attended Namaka Public School in Nadi, where he was classmates with former Fiji 7s rugby coach Iliesa Tanivula and Joeli Lotawa, a former Nadi and Pacific Islanders hooker. He furthered his education at Swami Vivekananda College.
His journalism career began with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation as a stringer in 1997. He then joined Fiji Sun in 1999 and worked at the Fiji Times for two decades after that.
He is survived by his wife, Rita Singh, and their children, Nirvana and Siddhartha Iyer. The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, with viewing at Lautoka’s Girmit Centre, followed by the final rites at Lovu crematorium at 1 PM.