Caxton mourns death of its East Rand distribution manager
Joe will be sorely missed by everyone at Caxton.
Management, colleagues and friends mourn the passing of Caxton East Rand long-serving dedicated distribution manager Joe Motsepe.
Joe started his career at Caxton over 35 years ago. He died in the early hours of March 19 at the age of 68 after complaining of pain.
According to his family, Joe died from natural causes, apparently emanating from his long-term illnesses.
Condolences have been pouring in from friends and colleagues.
What a man
Caxton Local Media metropolitan GM Karen Watts, who worked with Joe for over three decades, described his death as the tragic loss of a man who made a significant contribution to the Caxton Group.
Recounting her experiences working with Joe, she said he was an amazing human being, a humble, genuine and hardworking man.
“Joe never missed a day of work in all the time he worked at Caxton and was highly valued for his hard work. He would start work as early as 4am and sometimes finish at 8pm. He knew all the areas he covered like the back of his hand. He had a perfect work relationship, and he used to call himself my work husband; what a man,” she said.
Watts also offered her condolences to the Motsepe family and relatives, saying Joe will be sorely missed by everyone at Caxton.
Meanwhile, his daughter, Refiloe Motsepe, described her father as a humble man but strict and protective of his family.
“My father complained of knee pain and consulted a doctor on Tuesday, discovering his blood pressure was extremely high.”
Long-serving member
Joe joined Caxton (then Amalgamated Press) in 1984. He worked as a courier, became a truck driver in the distribution department and was then promoted to supervisor before he subsequently became the distribution manager for over 15 years.
He served the following newspapers: Boksburg Advertiser, Germiston City News, Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser and Brakpan Herald.
He retired in 2019 at the age of 66 but continued working for Caxton as a contractor doing the Springs route.
During his retirement ceremony, Joe said he was passionate about his work and described the retirement day as the saddest moment in his life as it meant parting ways with his second family (Caxton).
Joe lived in Siluma View in Katlehong. His family members are still making arrangements for his memorial service and burial.
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