Despite what might be misconstrued as competing events, the 43rd commemoration of Black Wednesday, also known and celebrated as Media Freedom Day since the dawn of democracy, stood out for one reason and one reason only.
Arguably, Percy Qoboza’s is the face of that fateful day, October 19 1977, when the apartheid regime arrested political activists and journalists, banned political parties and shut down several newspapers. However, the name Aggrey Zola Klaaste was becoming a distant memory.
Therefore, when the old and new crop of journalists finally honoured the legendary editor, I was relieved that the man whose name was gradually being forgotten was finally coming to the fore being remembered. The National Press Club hosted the annual Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture.
Meanwhile, the Aggrey Klaaste Foundation, along with the Wits University journalism department, the SA National Editors’ Forum and Sowetan, the publication which played a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid and ushering in democracy, honoured the man who championed and pioneered the Nation Building concept. Even when his peers such as revered journalists Joe Thloloe and Thami Mazwai didn’t initially buy into the concept, he persisted and persevered.
As an aspirant journalist then, these fathers of journalism, as well as the likes of Don Mattera, Mathatha Tsedu, Alf Kumalo, Len Kumalo, Joshua Raboroko, Willie Bokala, Jubie Mayet and Sophie Tema, symbolised bravery. They used the pen and cameras to fight apartheid.
There are those like Angie Makwetla who were behind the scenes driving the Nation Building campaign, making it a success.
Seeing the current crop of journalists, including Eyewitness news head of news Mahlatse Mahlase, Sowetan editor Nwabisa Makunga and Sbu Ngalwa, Sanef chair and Newzroom Africa political editor sharing a stage with the likes of Thloloe and Mazwai, who worked with Klaaste, was a masterstroke, moreover honouring one of the country’s finest and most influential newspapermen.
Klaaste, Qoboza and many others played a pivotal role in dismantling apartheid and ushering in the democratic state, therefore their role cannot be downplayed.
There are many other journalists whose names have been forgotten. During the National Press Club commemoration of Black Wednesday last year, I bemoaned the fact that as a country, we were not doing much to honour these gallant scribes, and journalists are the only ones to blame for not keeping their memories alive.
Instead of the same rhetoric about the history of Black Wednesday, I implore those in power, especially the ministry of sport, art & culture and the ministry of communication, to honour legendary scribes such as Qoboza, Klaaste, Thloloe, Mazwai, Mattera, Mayet and Tema by naming some of the libraries, bridges and streets after them. They too contributed to the democracy we are enjoying.
I have always chastised and criticised the current crop of journalists for not being activist journalists. However, I must also point a finger at those who worked with Klaaste and know him well for allowing his memory to fade. Former Sowetan editors, especially those who stepped into Klaaste’s shoes, are also guilty as charged.
I still believe that those who worked in Commando Street, Industria, owe him a token of appreciation in the form of a book. It would be a great gift for the legacy of the legendary editor whose New Nation idea saw Black Wednesday being commemorated not only in one day but for days in the form of seminars where international journalists and editors shared their experiences and wisdom.
One would be forgiven for thinking that the history of black journalism started and ended with Drum journalists such as Nat Nakasa and Can Temba, yet there is another chapter featuring the Klaastes, Thloloes, Mazwais, Matteras and many others, yet it is not well documented.
• Sepotokele is a journalist, communication strategist and media trainer. He runs TS Headlines Consultancy
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