Sophi Mosimane, June 16 journalist, dies
ALEXANDRA - Author of the story that exposed the world to the killing of children on 16 June 1976 students uprising has been laid to rest.
The journalist who exposed the world to the killing of children in 1976 students’ uprising in June has been laid to rest.
Sophie nee Tema Mosimane (78) died on 26 April of cardiac stress and diabetes and was cremated after a sombre funeral ceremony at the YMCA Hall in Olando East, Soweto.
On that fateful day, Mosimane and Presidential and world award-winning photographer, Sam Nzima joined the protesting, unarmed children wearing their school uniforms who died from police bullets. Their bravery exposed to the world, in story and pictures – including the iconic one of Mbuyisa Makhubo carrying dying Hector Peterson, to the true nature, violence and abominable brutality of the apartheid regime. Their exposé, and that of others, led to an international outcry and increase in sanctions which hastened the demise of the inhumane regime.
Mourning his late colleague, Nzima described Mosimane, who also drove Peterson to a nearby clinic, as a fearless journalist dedicated to human rights and whose contribution to political change in the country should forever be remembered.
This, he said, while urging current journalists to perform their work with diligence and without fear in order to protect the hardwon democracy in which young and old lost their lives.
Mosimane’s eulogy described her as a talented writer whose successes in the then-male-dominated industry derived from hard work, tenacity, love for the profession and human rights for all. This propelled her to work for the major papers, City Press, The World and the then-prestigious Rand Daily Mail.
Her commitment to human rights earned her recognition which led to her joining other rights luminaries such as Helen Suzman and Judge Johann Kriegler in the country’s inspectorate of prisons counselling long-term prisoners. She later worked on voter educator for the newly-enfranchised majority, and later entered the corporate world.
Mosimane was described a Mo-Africa, or true South African, who held dearly to the nation’s Constitutional principles of democracy, but became disillusioned by the state of the country’s affairs.
She is survived by a daughter, son and four grandchildren.
