Veteran broadcaster and journalist, Clem David, whose career spanned over three decades in the print, radio and television media, died Thursday night after a prolonged illness at his home at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. He was 63.
Clem David, who had been ailing from a heart condition, was reportedly found dead shortly after 22:00 hrs by a family member. The father of five who was familiarly referred to as ‘Clem’, and who hails from the West Coast of Berbice, became known to all and sundry in Guyana when he began hosting a popular early morning television show on Channel Six, called ‘Sunrise Show’.
An articulate journalist, Clem, through his informative TV show, made many a Guyanese, especially school children, aware of the geography of Guyana and the names of several villages, their exact locations and the origins of their names.
Clem began his career at the Chronicle and then moved on to work at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) as an announcer and later as an editor.
He went on to host the popular morning programme, “The Sunrise Show” on CNS Channel 6.
He also served as Editor-in-Chief of The Evening News at VCT 28, which was owned by Tony Vieira.
Clem David was also the prime ministerial candidate for the Justice For All Party (JFAP) at the August 2006 General and Regional Elections.

COMMENTS
Leader of JFAP, in extending sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Clem David on behalf of himself and the other executive members, recalled that after the PPP/C won the 1992 elections in Guyana, and Mr. David was no longer allowed to work in the state media, he turned his attention to television and hosted The Sunrise Show on CNS TV Channel 6, of which he, Sharma, is the proprietor.
“As a weekday morning talk show host and an Editor, Mr. David had his loyal followers and the Sunrise Show was sorely missed when he fell ill and had to discontinue his television appearances.
“Clem David was also a major force in the formation of the Justice For All Party (JFAP) led by Mr. C. N. Sharma and he became the party’s prime ministerial candidate on two occasions.  Through this political venture he became a JFAP councillor for Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica), a position he had to relinquish because of his illness.
“Mr. David was an outstanding journalist who had a great voice and personality to match. A brave man who was not afraid to speak out on matters of concern to all. Guyana has lost another soldier and he will be greatly missed, but not forgotten.”

BERT WILKINSON – AP stringer

Wilkinson recalled Clem, with whom he worked for 32 years, as “an able and practising journalist who was not afraid to walk between the mainstream, daily opinion and advocacy journalism.
‘Clem worked with both local and foreign media and it was his advocacy which got him into trouble with many editors and publishers. “He went with his beliefs.”

From overseas-based former colleagues

MIKE ARCHER : Clem David will be missed. He was of my generation of broadcasters and media personnel. It is without exception that I shower praise on him for his devotion to Journalism and the many causes he championed on behalf of the Guyanese, Latin American and Caribbean peoples.
Clem David was a weight-lifter, a sportsman, and a very formidable debater too.
It is with sad heart and gratitude for having been his friend and colleague that I extend my deepest sympathies to his friends, relations and loved-ones.

ORIN GORDON: Broadcaster and journalist BBC Global News, London Clem was editor-in-chief when I joined GBC newsroom in 1989. He was very supportive as a boss, and easy-going and quick to laugh. People caught up in the maelstrom of Guyanese politics have their views. What I can say is that Clem gave me a lot of latitude. I interviewed Cheddi Jagan at Freedom House, at a time when opposition voices almost never made it on air. Clem gave me complete freedom to get both sides on the radio. He was a mentor. Those of us who worked with him recognised his skill as a radio journalist.
We owe him and mourn the passing of a really nice guy.
We joked at GBC that he had the most names of anyone we knew: Clement Ezekiel Compton Eric Wilberforce David. I never knew if it was true or a laff-joke. We can now find out, in the saddest way.

SANDRA SEERAJ

As a member of Guyana’s extended media fraternity, I am as saddened as my colleagues by news of the passing of one of our stalwart journalists, Clement “Clem” David.
Clem, as he was familiarly known, will be remembered for his dedication to professionalism and integrity. He was a stellar newscaster, an incisive interviewer and a caring mentor to newcomers into the profession. He also loved to debate and would fiercely defend his position, regardless of how indefensible it seemed to others. He had the courage of his convictions and he represented them with vigour as is evident in the political causes he espoused in his later years.
He loved to laugh and could trade witty jabs with the best. He often engaged in the favourite Guyanese art of “tantalize” or “teasing” and would revel in the thrust and parry of verbal sparring. He gave as good as he got!  He was also always a sharp and dapper dresser and prided himself as being something of a fashion trendsetter.
Clem may be widely remembered as a political candidate and a somewhat controversial and polarizing figure; a staunch defender of the people’s rights and a voice of the voiceless. To us who had the good fortune of working with him, he will always be Clem of the silken voice and impeccable pronunciation.
To Clem’s family, friends and colleagues, I extend my deepest condolences and I pray that in the days ahead their grief will be tempered by the pleasant memories he leaves behind.

LEON SAUL

Clem was more than just a colleague and cousin. He was a brother! More so, Clem David should be remembered as a nationalist, patriot and revolutionary. His life and passion was about Guyana’s development and proper governance in the country of his birth, which he served until he could no longer be on the frontline.
We worked together in the media during the heady days of the socialist revolution in Guyana, and he was among the best journalists and radio/TV commentators that this country produced. The resonance of his famous voice may be stilled but memories and archives will keep his fire alight. May he rest in peace. A luta continua. One love to my brother and comrade!

PRINCE MAISON

I was saddened this morning, waking up to the news of Clem’s passing.
It was a delight to have known him, to have been a colleague with him at GBS, and later GBC; to have anchored news with him on major newscasts “The World at Noon” and “The World at Seven” before it was shifted to the 7.30, and then the 8.00 o’clock news.
It was nice to have team-covered with him a wide range of events, starting with the Bourda Market Fire in the 1970s where we first met, to history-making civic and political events such as the Inaugural Opening of the National Cultural Centre in Durban Backlands, visits of Heads of State and foreign dignitaries, and PNC annual conventions. Together we shared a passion for change and development and growth in a young, independent Guyana. We were so competitive about the best story, or the better news presentation in newsroom terms, that it even translated to GBS sports — athletics, and cricket.
I can feel the presence of News Editor Cecil Griffith, as he then was, over my shoulders even as I remember Clem. We were twinned in so many ways that he even used my name as part of his campaign promotion advertisement when he undertook to run for President of a country we so much loved.
This is not intended to be a resume of Clem’s life and work; just a remembrance of a dear friend who loved and always wanted to share life with those he loved, admired, and for whom he deeply cared.
So long, dear friend. Hope it wasn’t too difficult for you to lay down the burdens of life that you so gladly and eagerly picked up.

DESIREE KING aka ANN HARDY

Clem as he was known around the newsroom was someone that would walk into a room and bam, he got your attention, because when it came to work, it was a team, and when it was leisure time, Clem took the floor. Sometimes you could hear his voice from way down the GBC corridors. He had that voice.
As a journalist/ Editor-in-Chief and my (boss), he was professional in carrying out his duties. He had such a charisma and was a peoples’ person, but do not get on his other side; he would even try to square off with you, but his mouth was his sword.
He will be missed in the media circles and I will never forget how helpful he was when I took the plunge from being his secretary to a junior reporter.

HUGH  HAMILTON

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Clem David’s passing, and wish to convey my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
More than a colleague, Clem was also a loyal and trusted mentor and friend. Like many who came of age professionally in the sometimes turbulent political and journalistic environment of the early- to mid-1980s, I had the unique privilege of learning the craft of radio reporting from Clem.
He led and taught by example and was never tired of sharing his time and gargantuan talent with anyone who was willing to learn. As a reporter and editor, he was a master craftsman whose unflappable composure, even under the most intense of deadline pressures, was a marvel to behold.
Clem was also gifted with a singular voice and captivating delivery that elevated his radio presence to the status of sonic art. Radio was his life, and he gave it his all.
But beyond his prolific and passionate professional engagements, Clement Ezekiel Compton Eric David (as we referred to him in moments of conviviality), was a gentle giant of a man with a heart that was big and kind and compassionate and welcoming.
To me, and to many of our only slightly younger generation, he was the ‘Big Brother’ we respected and admired despite our occasional differences.
A giant of a man has fallen this day but he leaves behind a colossal legacy that will long endure and inspire us all to reach for our higher potential.

ALLAN MARTINDALE

It is with great sorrow that I learned that we have lost another great journalist, colleague and friend.
I will always remember Clem for his professionalism as a media practitioner, his advice and feedback as a mentor and his warmth as a friend.
I first met Clem in 1977 at the Guyana Broadcasting Service (GBS) where he was a News Editor in the GBS newsroom. I would later be fortunate enough to collaborate with him during his stint at the Guyana News Agency (GNA) which was located directly across from the GBS studios.
Clem helped me to understand news gathering concepts and the importance of observing the various nuances of a story.
I was happy to meet Clem last September at a gathering in Guyana which was held at the former GNS sports complex in Thomas Lands. We spoke at great length and brought each other up-to-date with the events that had transpired in our lives since I left in1984.
He seemed to be coping well with his illness and he still had the same bright smile and great personality.
I will miss him as he joins the other greats who went before him.
Our condolences go out to his family members at this time of great sorrow and loss.