It was with great sorrow that ORAFs learned of the passing of Mike Blackman earlier this year. Many will recall that Mike designed the iconic "Troopie" Statue that is an extremely sacred statue to all fellow Rhodesians.
Terry Leaver has submitted the following few articles to highlight the life of this greatly talented man. These serve only to let folks know that he is no longer with us, and although very much a "back-room" person, he was as passionate and committed to what we tried to do in Rhodesia as anyone.
Mike Blackman died on the 20th August, 2014, in Pietermaritzburg, after a short battle with cancer. He was 62 at the time of his death.
Mike was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia and first displayed his Artistic talent at Junior School. During his early post school career in Bulawayo, he lectured on Fine Art, and at this time he produced a booklet of humorous cartoons called, "How Many Days?", dedicated to the National Servicemen of Rhodesia. Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith wrote the forward to this booklet.
Shortly after this, Mike enlisted into the Rhodesian Army as a regular Lieutenant in the Staff Corps.
Mike will be most remembered within the Rhodesian Services Community for his exceptional creative and journalistic skills, as well as his role as the Designer and Project Manager of the RLI's iconic "Troopie" statue. He was a modest and unassuming person, and few of his former Service colleagues will know that he was an outstanding Artist, and the first foreigner and non-member to have been allowed to exhibit at the Royal Academy of Art's Summer Exhibition.
Mike was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (FRGS), an honour bestowed upon him for his deep interest ad research into the extinct Aepyornis Bird of Madagascar (Elephant Bird, also know as Roc, from the legend of "Sinbad the Sailor"). This hobby, coupled with his active participation in a major project in the Antarctic in 1999 -2000, brought him to the attention of the Stewards of the Geographic Society.
Mike was a major driving force in the production and editing of the RLI's Regimental magazine "Cheetah", was well as the Rhodesian Army's "Assegai" magazine. Additionally, his skills were brought to bear, most often behind the scenes, in the design and production of many posters and stickers associated with the Psychological Campaign in Rhodesia, as well as practically all of the excellent booklets and magazines produced from time to time about Rhodesian Services.
Mike immigrated to South Africa in 1981, and after a short spell working for a Corporate in Advertising, he started his own company, Oracle Advertising. Oracle Advertising became a successful entity, run from an inspiring Studio Building designed by Mike himself, until he retired to Natal in 2000, and following his creative instincts in the Artistic World.
Our condolences go out to his widow, Lucy, and children Catherine, Micaela and David, as well as to his brother Adrian, wife Carol and their family.
Lt. Col. Ian Bate MLB, ex Co of RLI writes -
It was with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of Mike Blackman. When I was Co of the RLI, I decided that we should erect a statue in honour of our fallen. Mike very kindly agreed to design the statue and assisted us all the way until its final resting position on its plinth in Cranborne. This included dealing with a rather temperamental Italian Bronze Artist who made the "Troopie" and arranging the supply of empty cases for its manufacture.
Mike was also the editor of our "Cheetah" magazine and was instrumental in placing the magazine in bookstores for the general public to read.
To Mikes family and friends, we of the RLI will remember Mike with pride and ask that you accept our deepest and most sincere condolences.
The Oracle Advertsing team also forwarded a tribute to Mike, and it reads,
To ever have been part of what we called the "Oracle Team", meant that there was an unforgettable season in your life in which you would learn much about teamwork, design, presentation, deadlines and challenges. But more than anything it would be a time in which you learnt about life, friendship, priorities, he ability to take every day as it comes, to laugh daily and to be like family rather than colleagues. To have experienced this in a lovely homely studio- setting rather than a boring office was the privilege that Mike Blackman afforded us. He was undeniably a man of vision, excellence, creativity and talent. There were countless times when he unwittingly revealed his heart, depth, kindness and support. There are few who would not count in a privilege to have been a part of his life.
We send our heartfelt condolences to Lucy, Catherine, Micaela and David.
The Oracle Team of Pam, Cheryl, Gill, Pauline, Louise, Michelle and Hennie.
