Condolences TO FORMER SOWETAN EDITOR, Dr. Aggrey Klaaste
2004-06-22. ATTENTION: PR WIRES, EDITORS, NEWS EDITOR, POLITICAL REPORTERS /CORRESPONDENTS
STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF DR AGGREY KLAASTE
"The Giant of South Africa's Black Journalism has fallen and the country mourns."
The Independent Democrats heard with the great sadness this morning of the death of the doyen of South Africa's journalism, Dr Aggrey Klaaste.
Dr Klaaste, a true gentlemen, was among the last of the remaining icons in Black Journalism that charted the cause of truth despite the apartheid regimes oppressive racial policies. He was known for his non-confrontational but resolute attitude. A firm believer in freedom of speech, freedom from racial oppression, equality and his passion for telling the truth as it is. Dr Klaaste took over the Sowetan in 1989 from yellow-page newspaper and, with his vision and hands-on approach, tuned it into the largest selling daily newspaper in the country, mostly read by millions of oppressed South Africans and those who were looking for a true perspective of the state of affairs in the country which government mouth piece at that time, the SABC could not tell.
Dr Klaaste was among the last of the remaining icons of Black Journalism who charted the cause of truth despite apartheid regime's brutal reaction to those dared oppose its policies by telling the truth to the oppressed who yearned for their freedom to be proclaimed. After our freedom was proclaimed, Dr Klaaste continued to work for the betterment of his fellow South African. His love and caring for those affected by HIV/Aids pandemic and his contribution in the shaping of journalism and our new South Africa is well documented.
We, the Independent Democrats, humbly pay tribute to his family, relatives and friends and pray earnestly that his inspiration and legacy will continue to inspire all South Africans, Africa and the rest of the world.
ENDS.
_______________________________________________________________________
For further information contact Thulani Sithole, Media Liaison, Independent Democrats, Parliament, Cape Town
Tel: (021) 403 8672
Fax:(021) 403 2350
083 982 6437
"The Giant of South Africa's Black Journalism has fallen and the country mourns."
The Independent Democrats heard with the great sadness this morning of the death of the doyen of South Africa's journalism, Dr Aggrey Klaaste.
Dr Klaaste, a true gentlemen, was among the last of the remaining icons in Black Journalism that charted the cause of truth despite the apartheid regimes oppressive racial policies. He was known for his non-confrontational but resolute attitude. A firm believer in freedom of speech, freedom from racial oppression, equality and his passion for telling the truth as it is. Dr Klaaste took over the Sowetan in 1989 from yellow-page newspaper and, with his vision and hands-on approach, tuned it into the largest selling daily newspaper in the country, mostly read by millions of oppressed South Africans and those who were looking for a true perspective of the state of affairs in the country which government mouth piece at that time, the SABC could not tell.
Dr Klaaste was among the last of the remaining icons of Black Journalism who charted the cause of truth despite apartheid regime's brutal reaction to those dared oppose its policies by telling the truth to the oppressed who yearned for their freedom to be proclaimed. After our freedom was proclaimed, Dr Klaaste continued to work for the betterment of his fellow South African. His love and caring for those affected by HIV/Aids pandemic and his contribution in the shaping of journalism and our new South Africa is well documented.
We, the Independent Democrats, humbly pay tribute to his family, relatives and friends and pray earnestly that his inspiration and legacy will continue to inspire all South Africans, Africa and the rest of the world.
ENDS.
_______________________________________________________________________
For further information contact Thulani Sithole, Media Liaison, Independent Democrats, Parliament, Cape Town
Tel: (021) 403 8672
Fax:(021) 403 2350
083 982 6437
