Statement on the Death of Govin Reddy

The South Africa National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) media industry mourns the loss of a key driver of transformation, in the death of media executive Govin Reddy.

According to the biographical details on http://www.journalist.org.za, Govin held several senior positions in South Africa and overseas. He was CEO of SABC Radio, CEO of the Mail & Guardian newspaper, Director of the Media Leadership Institute at Rhodes University, Head of the English Service of Inter Press Service in Rome and President of the London-based Commonwealth Broadcasting Association.

From 2006 to 2009 Govin was based in Mumbai as India Manager of Brand South Africa. In this capacity he was instrumental in setting up the South Africa-India Business Council. On his return from India, he was appointed Professor Extraordinary by the Universities of Stellenbosch (journalism) and Pretoria (political science). As Chief Executive of SABC Radio in the mid-90s, Govin Reddy drove the transformation of the massive SABC radio portfolio from a state to a professional public broadcaster with vision and determination.

Tributes pouring in include Judy Sandison, who was appointed by Govin to lead the countrywide transformation of SABC radio news in 1994 after the first democratic elections: “Govin was very supportive of all our transformation initiatives, which was crucial as there was some concerted resistance to some of the changes. He had vision and drive and was not deterred by the obstacles in our way. He played a critical role in ensuring that the public broadcaster was in a position to really serve our audiences professionally and ethically.  His legacy lives on.”

For Inquiries:
SANEF Regional Convenor, KwaZulu-Natal – Judy Sandison, 082 571 3334

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