A tribute to Tesfaldet Meharenna,

by Tewelde Stephanos.

Tesfaldet Meharena, one of Eritrea’s free media visionaries has, sadly, passed on. Just saying this is a law of nature and leaving it there, would be irresponsible though. Because Tes’s legacy is even larger than Tes, the person.

His courage and vision to start asmarino.com, a technology-based platform where Eritreans from anywhere can express themselves freely was, and continues to be, an inspiration to many. It was unpopular to give voice to people or groups not favored by the government, especially then, and the risks he faced were high. But he stood tall and continued his mission with grit, fairness and grace.

I am one of the beneficiaries of Tes’s sacrifices. I was living in Eritrea at the time and Asmarino.com became my refuge.

In Loving Memory THE PASSING AWAY OF MR. TESFALDET ALEM MEHARENNA

In Loving Memory THE PASSING AWAY OF MR. TESFALDET ALEM MEHARENNA, November 19, 1957 - January 24, 2024. ዜና ዕረፍቲ ኣቶ ተስፋልደት ኣለም መሓረና፡ 19 ሕዳር፡ 1957 – 24 ጥሪ፡ 2024።

By demonstrating there were many who saw the early signs of Eritrea going against the very principles 65,000 died for, Asmarino and the many brave voices it hosted, eased the pain and loneliness I felt. Although I couldn’t write openly, they encouraged me to express my views under a pen name.

The very next day my first pen name article was published in asmarino, I run into a friend who had read it, enthusiastically telling me how happy he was people are beginning to get it. Of course, I had to laugh within. My friend had no idea he was sharing this with the author of the article; and I was not ready to tell him.

But the thought that ran through my mind at that moment was this: Because of Tes, I am. Asmarino.com gave me a window to express myself, and I will forever be grateful to Tes for that.

RIP my friend. I will miss you.

Tewelde Stephanos

asmarino.com

See also more articles by Mr Tewelde Stephanos.
ካልኦት ብ'ተወልደ እስቲፋኖስ ዝተጻሕፉ ጽሑፋት ወይ ኣስተምህሮታት ኣብ ታሕቲ ተወከሱ:-

ብዛዕባ መራኸቢታትን ሓበሬታን፡ ብኣቶ ተወልደ እስቲፋኖስ።
Information and Communication Technology, by Mr Tewelde Stephanos.

See also Related / ምስዚ ዝተኣሳሰር ሓበሬታ፡-