CGM, September 08, 2016. Some members of the CJD. Standing, from left to right: Félix, Sammy, Norbert, Olga, Rabefananina, Jeannot, Fidy and Armand. Seated: from left to right: Latimer Rangers, Dany Be and the couple Jean-Louis and Claire Rafidy
If he was 22 years old in June 1960, it was therefore at 85 that he left this valley of tears, this Sunday, June 11, 2023. He is Jocelyn Victor Rafidinarivo alias Jean-Louis Rafidy, pioneer of the RNM and TVM, nicknamed “The Golden Voice”not without very good reason.
On October 14, 1958, with the proclamation of the Malagasy Republic, the group, initially known under the name of “Rabaraona brothers and sisters” (Dave, Rocky, Coco, Pat, Nicole and Monique)won first prize in an amateur song contest organized by the station then called ” Radio Tananarive “. They had interpreted « Only you » et « The great pretender » of « The Platters ». Following this success, the group took the name of « Les Beryls »and made several tours through Madagascar with, among others, the great Malagasy singer Henry Ratsimbazafy and the CCC (Christian Claude et Cie) Guitars.
At the request of the French government, the six brothers and sisters were chosen to represent Madagascar at the inauguration of the 2nd television channel in Paris (Porte de Versailles), on September 8, 1963. At their first appearance, they immediately conquered the French public. It must also be said that their small size (1.48 m on average for the group) is then one of the elements that make them charming. Jean-Louis Rafidy, the host-star, “the golden voice” of the Malagasy radio which accompanied them during their stay in Paris, introduced them to Roger Marouani of the Records « Festival »who made them sign their first European contract and took charge of them. The group was then baptized Surfing “in order to take advantage of the surge in popularity of this genre of music at the beginning of the decade.
Long golden voice of the Malagasy National Radio (RNM), under the pseudonym of Jean-Louis Rafidy, he was successively: Founding Director of the Malagasy National Television (TVM), Head of the Programs Division of Radio Madagascar, Head of the French-language channel and journalist and producer on the channel of Malagasy language of Radio Madagascar.
Who still remembers that our national Jean-Louis Rafidy had his own show? After the inauguration of the Maison de la Radio in Anosy on October 14, 1964, there were two channels: channel I in Malagasy language and Channel II, in French. Channel I was in the hands of the Malagasy who ensured the political and editorial responsibility whose General Manager was Roger Rabesahala until 1968. The person in charge of the channel was Marcellin Andriamamonjy.
Henri Ratsimabazafy and Jean-Louis Rafidy in 2014
Jocelyn Rafidinarivo, better known by the pseudonym of Jean Louis Rafidy, was the manager of channel II. This offered two musical programs, one dedicated to new artists, “young talent”, and the other, a weekly program (every Tuesday) in French from 8 p.m. Jean Louis Rafidy was then the same age as these young talents he presented to the public: the Nanahary, Henri Ratsimbazafy, the CCC Guitars were known by Malagasy listeners thanks to this program.
A true pioneer in the history of broadcasting in Madagascar, Jean-Louis Rafidy is at the origin of several innovations. Among these, during each broadcast, the young talents presented live, every Tuesday, a semi-show for the listeners. Jean Louis Rafidy was also the creator and host of a program devoted to youth: “musical relaxation” or “Entertainment through music and song”.
This Sunday morning show featured songs by European artists like Johnny Halliday, Dalida and Claude François. The young people of the time waited feverishly for the start of the program whose call sign was the song “the children of Piraeus” by Dalida.
Thereafter, with his real name, Jocelyn Rafidinarivo lived for a long time in the USA as a diplomat at the Malagasy Embassy in Washington DC. Back in Madagascar, he was appointed Secretary General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a position he left to join the headquarters of the World Bank in Antananarivo, as Head of External Communications.
Position he left to take a well-deserved retirement, in mid-July 2007, alongside his wife Claire Rahelovololona. This, before the last meeting at the World Bank to do his handover with Erick Rabemananoro. The Jocelyn-Jean-Louis/Claire couple had two children: Christiane Narisoa Rafidinarivo and Jean Solo Rafininarivo, and four grandchildren.
At the time of this departure without return to the beyond, Jean-Louis Rafidy was the Honorary President of the Doyen Journalists Club -CJD- of Madagascar.
On the left, in front, Claire and Jean-Louis Rafidy, followed by Me Willy “Olala” Razafinjatovo who left us on January 25, 2022
There is a lot to tell about this “golden voice” who definitely passed away, on this Sunday, June 11, 2023. Faced with this disappearance, I was left speechless because the ways of the Lord are unfathomable. But I will keep his voice from him, of course, but above all this mental strength that emanated from him, inspiring fear, security, simplicity. A personality – and not a character – which was cultivated.
On behalf of the entire madagate team and on my own behalf, I present to the entire family of Jocelyn Victor Rafidinarivo, my most sincere and deep condolences. It is indeed the whole country, which has lost one of its most Malagasy sons it has ever had.
The mortal remains of Jean-Louis Rafidy will rest in Tsaralevenana, Ambohibao Antehiroka, near the CEG from Monday, June 12. The burial will take place on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the cemetery of Anjanahary Antananarivo.
Jeannot RAMAMBAZAFY
