Former Ambassador, Journalist and Activist, Jon Qwelane
Former diplomat and veteran journalist Jon Qwelane died at the age of 68 on Christmas Eve on Thursday. He was appointed South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda in 2010.
Veteran journalist Dan Moyane said Qwelane should be remembered for his work. “He had very strong views about issues in the country way back in 1999, especially on issues about race and injustice. You have to remember JQ’s contribution is a legendary contribution to journalism in this country. His sharp pen earned him the status of a hero among many young journalists in this country.”
Qwelane worked for various media houses as a writer, broadcaster and an editor for many years. He was also known as a fearless and prolific journalist and talk show host who pushed the envelope and influenced public discourse.
He made his mark as a print journalist working for The Star and the Sunday Star, for which he also wrote columns. He produced op-ed pieces and had two regular columns in the 1990s: Jon’s Jive, which appeared on Saturdays, and Just Jon on Sundays.
Qwelane was a founder member of the Writers Association of SA and was the recipient of the SA National Editors’ Forum coveted Nat Nakasa Award in 1998.
In 2010, he was appointed by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation as South Africa’s High Commissioner to Uganda for a four-year term.
“He served his country with distinction and unwavering commitment,” said ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe.
“President [Cyril Ramaphosa] had instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast in the North West province on the day of the funeral of Qwelane, this as a sign of respect to him,” a statement by the Office of the North West Premier Job Mokgoro said.
The veteran journalist has recently been in a legal battle for his controversial 2008 column titled: “Call me names but gay is not okay”. The hate speech matter is now before the Constitutional Court for declaration.
SANEF sent its heartfelt condolences to the Qwelane family, friends, the media fraternity and the diplomatic community.
The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has learnt with great sadness of the untimely death of journalist, writer, editor and founder of the online publication Indian Spice, Naufal Khan (39). He died on Monday after a long illness.
Khan plied his craft at the Sunday Times, Thomson’s Travel and Independent Newspapers, always nurturing the dream of a relevant publication that spoke to the Indian community in South Africa, in all its diversity.
He has been described as a person who served the truth with unflinching courage and called out injustice wheresoever he found it. He dedicated the last four years to Indian Spice, growing it into a large online platform that consistently broke big stories, which gave the Indian community the blend of news that they wanted, and was itself the topic of many mealtime conversations.
His long-time friend and Media Specialist in the public sector, Sureshinee Govender said: “His bravery and courage and the sense of deep humanity for all living creatures were rare. Naufal embraced all religions and was an example to all of us not to use religion to sow divisions but to unite in service to humanity.”
Khan fought to the bitter end but succumbed to his illness after an operation and more than a month stay in critical care in hospital, unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tributes have poured in from thousands of his friends, fellow journalists, followers of his Indian Spice and those individuals whose cause he took up.
“We will mourn him and celebrate what he has achieved as the chronicle of his community,” said Derek Abdinor, Khan’s partner in Adishakti Media.
“His standard as the modern digital storyteller and the impact that a truthful voice can have will inspire generations.”
He was a contributor and supporter of MambaOnline. “His death is a tragic loss to both the Indian and the LGBTQ communities in South Africa,” said MambaOnline’s editor Luiz De Barros.
Nivashni Nair, Sunday Times senior journalist who knew Khan for more than 15 years said: “It came as no surprise that, after many years of working at various media houses, Naufal would go on to be the editor, creative mastermind and soul of an award-winning website which found success on all social media networks.”
Khan thrived on breaking stories on His investigative stories often led to arrests and convictions.
SANEF extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) has learned with profound sadness of the passing of Daily Sun photographer Lucky Nxumalo.
Nxumalo lost his battle to cancer on Sunday evening after a long battle against the disease at his Orlando East home in Soweto where he grew up, surrounded by his family. He had just turned 51 years old on December 2.
“We have known and loved Lucky for his incredibly positive and exuberant attitude and genuine and kind spirit that touched all of us. It shone ever so brightly in his work through his lens. The journalism industry is poorer without his contribution. He will be sorely missed by the Daily Sun family and our deepest condolences go out to his wife Tumi, his six children and his family. Funeral details will be shared in due course,” said Daily Sun’s editor-in-chief Mapula Nkosi.
Nxumalo first picked up a camera in his teens earning money as a street photographer. His journalism career as a photographer started in the mid-80s with several freelance gigs at local magazines and newspapers.
Having excelled in covering various beats including entertainment, hard news and sports, he was one of rare breed of journalists who had the talent to connect with people from kings to hawkers with admirable ease. Nxumalo nurtured all these relationships that turned his contact book and sources from all spheres of life into the envy of many journalists. Young journalists who worked with him over the years were as a result, mentored and eased into journalism using his impeccable sources.
Colleagues speak in awe of his unlimited kindness where he would always end up helping the subjects in the stories he had covered and would keep in touch with them for years to come. In his early years, he loved documenting Mzansi’s showbiz stars, particularly documenting the life and times of Brenda Fassie and other iconic showbiz trailblazers of the 90s.
“Lucky knew a lot of people and he had good contacts. I remember he was invited to Kenny Kunene’s 40th birthday party in Sandton and the “King of Sushi” ate sushi off a bikini-clad model. City Press was the only publication that had the picture on that Sunday and Lucky had taken it,” former Sowetan and City Press picture editor, Ruth Motau, recalled some of his exploits.
The sushi king and that iconic picture has since become part of the history of an intriguing moment in Mzansi’s popular culture.
Photographer Neo Ntsoma described Nxumalo as “an exceptional photographer, a true friend, and a gentleman who always made sure that female photographers felt safe around him even when out in the field covering assignments that were somehow compromising of our safety”.
“He would often shield us from possible danger or even offer to carry our camera gear just like a true big brother whose main concern was to protect the lives of those he cared for the most. The industry has lost a true lensman. Lucky Nxumalo was a legend in his own right. He was truly dedicated to his craft. What a loving soul we have lost. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with him in his lifetime,” said Ms Ntsoma.
Outside showbiz, Nxumalo kept pace with his many police contacts covering raids and arrests and he was equally at home on the political frontlines recording the turbulent 90s protests or at the Soweto Derby covering soccer. A former colleague, Antonio Muchave recalled how Lucky practised for weeks to master the art of taking sports pictures. This turned him into a regular feature at all the big soccer matches during the 90s and 2000s.
At the time of his passing Nxumalo had been Daily Sun’s photographer for the past 12 years since 2008. He also did most of the photographic work for Sunday Sun. Before working for Daily Sun, Nxumalo had worked for Sowetan Newspaper and City Press and was also a freelance photographer at Bona Magazine.
SANEF extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Lala ngoxolo Zwide.
Tribute to a true lensman
By Neo Ntsoma
I have not only lost an industry colleague. Lucky was a true comrade and a brother whom I was introduced to by the legendary photographer Thomas “Bra Tom” Khoza around 1996 at his film processing Lab at corner Nugget and End street, Johannesburg.
Back in 1996, during the difficult times of my life as an unemployed aspiring photographer and young mother straight from photo school, I was fortunately introduced to a young man, a slightly seasoned photographer, Lucky Nxumalo, at Tom’s Lab in downtown Joburg.
The film processing and photo printing lab sat the corner of End and Nugget Streets, was home to many black freelance photographers and fans of Bra Tom, as he is affectionately known.
I had arrived from Mafikeng one morning to print photos for a kindergarten for their end of year calendar promo packages.
For some reason, Lucky was the one I connected with the most. He was the most charismatic of the lot. I did not have a place to spend the night. Lucky took a chance and offered me a place to sleep at his mother’s house at Orlando East.
At that time, no male person had ever shown me any kindness without expecting any compromising favours in return. The next morning we jumped into a taxi back to town where he showed me where I could have my photos printed on calendars and coffee mugs at a reduced price.
He was not just an exceptional photographer but a true friend, and a gentleman who always made sure that female photographers felt safe around him even when out in the field covering assignments that were somehow compromising of our safety. He would often shield us from possible danger or even offer to carry our camera gear just like a true big brother whose main concern was to protect the lives of those he cared for the most. Lucky Nxumalo was a legend in his own right and a dedicated craftsman. The industry has lost a true lensman. What a loving soul we have lost. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with him in his lifetime.
Nxumalo was a humanitarian
By Ruth Motau
Everyone who has crossed paths with Lucky Nxumalo has had a good share of his kindness. Lux was a humanitarian as I used to call him. He had a heart of gold. He was reliable and always willing to go an extra mile. Lucky was a lifesaver. There were moments where I did not have any photographer to go on a sudden assignment at night or out of town. He always came to my rescue. He will go without hesitation.
When I started working at the Sowetan in 2004, I found him there. We worked for a couple of years, and he left to join City Press.
I later joined him at City Press, and he had the same work ethic. Lucky knew a lot of people, and he had incredible contacts.
I remember he was invited to Kenny Kunene’s 40th birthday party in Sandton and the king of sushi ate off from bikini-clad model. As a result, the City Press was the only publication that had the picture on Sunday that Lucky had taken.
When I had to assign Lucky on a job, and he had to cross an unfortunate situation, sometimes he will forget and miss those decisive moments of good images because he will be busy helping instead of taking photographs. I had to always keep track of his activities, especially when he was out of town because he was a humanitarian.
One time as I was leaving my house going to the office and a suspicious guy outside my driveway and he had his wheel jerked up. I asked him why he parked right at my gate, and he said something about his car that I did not understand. When I got to the office, I told Lucky the incident. The following morning it happened again, and the same guy had parked next to my driveway. I immediately drove back to the house and called Lucky. He called a police superintendent in my area.
Within five minutes, I received a call from the superintendent. A police vehicle was dispatched to my house, and the guy removed from my driveway with a warning. I never saw that car again.
When I joined the Sowetan as a Picture Editor for months I did not understand him, he will be all over the place everywhere. People will also come to the office looking for him. If they did not find him then the receptionist will call me saying some people have been waiting for hours for Lucky. When I talk to them, they were there to thank him because for years they were trying to get ID documents and Lucky helped them.
Lucky was larger than life and an amazing human being. Sometimes we fought about unsatisfactory work with him, and he would not take it personally. Like any other human, he made mistakes but what a beautiful spirit he had.
Last week I received a frantic call from Lucky Morajane after he visited Nxumalo. He told me that Lucky was not well and asked if we could try and help him financially. The next morning, I was with him. He was in high spirit as always and telling me how he was fighting to stay alive. He spoke about some of his plans.
We then spoke briefly about getting some of his pictures sold to raise funds as he hinted that there was a shortfall from paying his medical bills, and it worried him. I was also talking to one of his close friends about fundraising for him because he needed funds every month to pay some bills. Our meeting was due on Wednesday because he promised me to be on his computer during the weekend and look for some images. At 00:12 on Monday morning 21 December 2020, I received a message from his friend and photographer Sphiwe Sibeko saying that Nxumalo was no more.
Considering his will and the determination I observed last week, I was convinced he will beat the disease.
I am now finding myself writing a tribute to him rather than a proposal that I have been preparing for days to raise funds for him. May his beautiful soul rest in eternal peace.
He will be dearly missed.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has today received the sad news of the sudden death of the City Press executive editor, Dumisane Lubisi due to heart failure on Friday night.
According to the newspaper’s Managing Editor Ms Rhodé Marshall, Lubisi (44) had previously worked at African Eye news agency, This Day newspaper, and the Sunday Times before joining City Press in June 2007 as an investigative reporter.
During his time at City Press, Lubisi served as a senior reporter, commissioning editor of opinion and analysis section Voices and as the paper’s ombudsman. He was a keen road runner and was often seen in the office in particularly garish and wearing bright running shoes.
City Press editor Mondli Makhanya described Lubisi as “stickler for accuracy” saying the newspaper has lost a pillar. “I can’t even begin to describe the devastation we are feeling like as the City Press family.” He said.
Lubisi struck fear into the hearts of reporters and managers alike with his unrelenting enforcement of the Press Code and media ethics. As a journalist, he could spot a news angle from afar and thus served as a pivotal voice as we put together content for the paper and our website.
“Above all, he was just a damn fine guy. He laughed, joked, talked nonsense, and brought life to our newsroom. His only major flaw was his loyalty to that gold and black team from Phefeni. He even dared to wear that team’s jersey to the office,” said Makhanya.
The loss of such a young and vibrant life deeply saddens SANEF. Our deepest sympathies go out to his colleagues, friends, and family. Lubisi leaves behind his parents and three sons, Thando, Siya and Wandile. We offer them our thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this dark time in their young lives.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and community media mourn the death of veteran editor, Wikus Lee (64) of the Limpopo Mirror. Lee died after a long battle with a heart problem on Wednesday last week.
He was a seasoned journalist who mentored and interacted with various generations of young local reporters in the province. As editor of the Mirror he provided guidance and training to dozens of journalists. He was highly respected for his editorial knowledge and work ethic.
Anton van Zyl, owner and manager of the Limpopo Mirror, said it was almost impossible to think of the newspaper business in the region without Wikus’s wisdom and input.
“For more than 30 years he has been a colleague and a friend. For him, the newspaper was not simply a job, it was part of what made him what he was. His work was his passion and the Mirror newspaper was his pride. He was someone with an incredible general knowledge,” said Van Zyl.
Lee is survived by his wife and three sons.
SANEF sends heart-felt condolences to Lee’s family, friends and colleagues.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply saddened to learn of the death of legendary sports editor, S’busiso Mseleku on Monday night.
According to family spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Mseleku died aged 59 in Midvaal Private Hospital in Vereeniging from a short COVID-19-related illness.
Mseleku’s distinguished journalism career spans an incredible 33 years. He had recently started his online company S’busiso Mseleku Sports also using the Facebook platform.
His former colleague City Press football writer Timothy Molobi‚ currently the editorial manager for news and sports‚ described Mseleku as, “The one who put City Press on the map for football”.
“I’m still shocked by the passing of one of the best storytellers in the country. Personally, I learnt a lot from him as he took me under his wing when I started working with him at City Press. He taught me the values of journalism. He was a good mentor and motivator. Sports journalism, in particular, is lost without him.”
“Condolences to the Mseleku family, especially his wife and children and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” Molobi said.
Filmmaker, producer and creator of popular SABC soapie Muvhango, Duma Ndlovu‚ who was also a close friend took to social media announcing Mseleku’s passing. He wrote: “Last night I lost a dear friend, a brother and cousin, Sbu Mseleku. The veteran sports journalist succumbed to COVID -19 around 9 pm last night and his family is still trying to come to terms with his passing.”
Ndlovu said South Africa had lost another giant to the Coronavirus as S’bu’s life and work spoke for itself. He said, “I think for me the message is that we as a country should take the Coronavirus very seriously‚ and observe all the protocols‚ because we should not be losing figures such as S’bu to this disease”.
SANEF extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
A True Sports Legend Has Rested
By Dominic Chimhavi
I first met Sbusiso Mseleku in 1995 at the Sowetan when it was still operating from the Industria area. He was already a senior sports reporter and I had just joined from the now-defunct New Nation.
He left Sowetan in 1998 to become the Sports Editor of the Drum but we were to unite again at City Press later on.
When he left the Drum, he formed his own Lumumba Sports company which was feeding several media outlets with football information.
In 2001, he joined City Press as the Deputy Sports Editor.
Together with me as the Sports Editor, Pule Mokhine, Sifiso Cele, Daniel Mothowagae and Linda Rulashe we formed a ‘deadly combination’ in making the Sunday newspaper the true gospel of South African sports with a considerable bias on football.
Because of Sbu’s incisive and probing stories, City Press was nicknamed the ‘Bible of South African football.
Together (me and Sbusiso) we alternated in writing a weekly column called Pressing Issues which touched on all sports administrators and football role players. We didn’t have a holy cow and we literally ‘walked where angels fear to tread’ and this earned us successive Sports publication of the year awards in 2004 and 2005.
Before FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced South Africa as the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on 15 May 2004 in Zurich, the previous day (on 14 May 2004), Sbusiso who had travelled to Switzerland to cover the event on behalf of City Press, correctly predicted the voting patterns between those of South Africa and Morocco.
Sbusiso covered several events from the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, the 2006 World Cup in Germany and played a pivotal role in the success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first-ever on African soil.
He is the last of the golden generation of true investigative sports journalists and was not afraid of writing about the so-called untouchable officials.
Even when he left City Press, he continued to do some work for SAFA through his online sports company Sbusiso Mseleku Online Sports Channel.
A true sports legend has rested. RIP legend.
#Chimhavi is the SAFA Spokesperson. He writes in his personal capacity.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply saddened to learn of the death of legendary broadcaster, Bob Mabena on Monday 10 August 2020.
Mabena was POWER 98.7’s breakfast show host. According to the radio station’s management, he died on Monday from cardiac arrest. He was 51 years old.
Mabena started his career in 1989 at Radio Bop. He also worked on radio stations such as Metro FM, Kaya FM and Highveld Stereo. He took South Africa by storm as the host of popular Studio Mix with Melanie Son (now Bala). He was the programmes manager for the MSG Group which includes Capricorn FM in Polokwane.
Barely two weeks ago, Mabena released his 12-track compilation album, “Jammers House Volume 1” in honour of his wonderful career.
SANEF extends condolences to his family, friends and multitude of fans.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
community media activist and editor, Mr. Lefa Mohale
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and the community media are deeply saddened to learn of the death of community media activist and editor, Mr. Lefa Mohale.
The 33-year old Soweto born Mohale died On Thursday, 18 June 2020 on his way to the hospital after a noticeably short illness.
Mr. Mohale joined Entice Communications and Media as a Senior Photographer and worked his way through the system until he got into the actual compilations of newspaper articles. He founded and published his own Town Talk News publication and joined the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP).
According to Nontando Mokoena of the AIP, Mohale will be remembered for his quiet personality and the gentleman-attributes that he possessed. It was easy working with him.
His former associate Modise Lobelo from North West recalled: “I first met him during a Photo-Journalism training at Media24, Jhb. He had so many ideas on how to grow the newspaper.”
Lobelo said he was not surprised when Mohale established his own newspaper.
Mohale is survived by his wife Tshepi Nthinya, the Editor-in-Chief of Soweto Today and Midrand General News and their 3-year old daughter.
SANEF joins our colleagues in the media in expressing sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Note to Editors: The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) and the community media at large are deeply saddened to learn of the death of community media activist and editor, Ms Masindi Octavia Mkhize (43).
According to her family, Mkhize suffered a stroke and died on her way to the hospital on Friday, 22 May 2020.
Dunisani Ntsanwisi, SANEF’s Community Committee Convenor, said Masindi would be remembered for her passion and dedication towards the growth and sustainability of community print media platforms.
“She was one of the last few remaining voices for the community print media who pushed for the development of the sector in South Africa’s indigenous languages,” he said. He added that Mkhize had dedicated her life to the sector since 1995.
Mkhize was the publisher and editor of the Pinetown based newspaper, EzaKwazulu News. She was part of the team that forged a long-standing working relationship between the community media and the Office of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, which saw KwaZulu-Natal Community Print Media Publishers receiving more than R1 million in advertising revenue between 2009 and 2018. She was also part of the team of KwaZulu-Natal Publishers who signed an advertisement contract with Ethekwini Municipality in 2017, which has been running for over three years. Mkhize was recently appointed the Deputy-President of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP). She is survived by her three daughters.
Note to Editors:The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
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