Caxton Joburg North remembers journalist and The Citizen’s news editor, Amanda Watson who began her career working at Caxton’s northern community paper offices.
Watson passed away on May 7 after a short illness. She was 56 years old.
Alex News newspaper editor and colleague Sipho Siso remembered Watson fondly. He said she was one of the most brilliant and committed journalists at the Caxton Joburg North branch, as it was known then.
Siso worked closely with Watson during her time at the northern offices on matters involving Alexandra.
“She had an unparalleled commitment and enthusiasm for community newspapers and her communities in Randburg Sun’s area where she started, and later for the now defunct North Eastern Tribune before she left for our big sister publication, The Citizen in 2013. This is also where she excelled and I remained a keen follower of her articles there,” said Siso
Rosebank Killarney Gazette journalist Asanda Matlhare said, “My first encounter with Amanda Watson was in 2021 when I was assigned to be under her guidance during my internship at The Citizen.
“What stood out about her was how seriously she took her job and her will to go the extra mile to help me better my articles and columns. Her passion for her career was inspiring, I am grateful to have experienced her mentorship at the beginning of my career because her teachings have added to the journalism foundation I have today.”
Former colleague Karen Geurtse said she would miss the educational debates she had with Watson, “What I appreciated about her was that the debates we had were unemotional and factual. She also made me see the right side of stories.”
Geutse added Watson was a champion for fighting for the right things and fond of fighting for the underdogs.
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