Journalists, politicians and the public are mourning the death of the Matsulu-born executive editor of City Press, the late Dumisane Lubisi. The former learner of Sitfokotile Secondary School died on October 9, at the age of 44, from a heart failure. The principal of Sitfokotile, John Khoza said the school will always cherish being in the limelight because of Lubisi. “We were happy to have an ex-student of his calibre. He put the us in the limelight and we were still looking forward working him in developing the school. I had previously engaged Lubisi on our plans and he was one person who showed interest in them. Unfortunately death has taken him away from us.”
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George Mthethwa, spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Mpumalanga, said the department was saddened by Lubisi’s untimely death. “A journalist of par excellence. Lubisi, was an embodiment of ethical journalism. Not only did he represent his craft with distinction, but Mpumalanga as well, when he joined the erstwhile African Eye News to cover stories for various publications, including City Press. “Like many eminent residents of Mpumalanga who took up influential positions at national establishments, Lubisi nailed his colours to the mast and placed the province on the national map. We salute him for the role he played in the coverage of issues related to local government. May his family finds solace in his contribution towards the national cause. May your soul repose in peace Ngceshe,” he said.
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Justin Arenstein, the founder of African Eye News, said he was still in shock and denial since he learned of Dumisane’s death on Friday. “Dumi was part of the early original team in the mid 1990s and early 2000s. He built our small rural newsroom into a grassroots transnational investigative powerhouse that exposed some of post-apartheid’s earliest corruption scandals and human rights failures, sending crooked senators, parliamentarians and officials to prison. He tackled the government’s bizarre HIV/Aids denialism, sparked the dismantling of the commando system, and uncovered the nation’s first major land reform, driver’s license, conservation agency, RDP housing and education exam result scandals,” he said.
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The editor of the City Press, Mondli Makhanya, described Lubisi as a “stickler for accuracy” who was unrelenting in his enforcement of the Press Code and media ethics. Lubisi worked for publication for 13 years.
Mpumalanga-based seasoned journalist Tom Nkosi and founder of Ziwaphi newspapers said, “Lubisi is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of investigative journalism in Mpumalanga, from his days as a journalist at African Eye News Service. Thus, it was not an accident that the leading newspaper such as City Press spotted his talents so that he could serve an even bigger audience. His untimely departure leaves not only the journalism profession poorer, but our country has lost one of its most valuable assets and we dip our banner in honour of this humble son of the soil. I wish to convey my sincere condolences to Lubisi’s family, in particular his young children, his colleagues and friends. May he rest in peace,” The National Press Club (NPC) also conveyed its condolences to Lubisi’s family, colleagues and friends. “Lubisi will always be remembered for his professionalism and dedication to his job. His passing is a loss to journalism,” concluded the NPC.
