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African journalists rally to defend Cheriff Sy amid disinformation threats

African journalists rally to defend Cheriff Sy amid disinformation threats

A disinformation campaign targeting veteran Burkina Faso journalist Cheriff Sy has sparked widespread alarm within the African journalism community. The campaign falsely accuses Sy and another individual of orchestrating an alleged coup attempt on December 22 in Burkina Faso, posing a significant threat to his safety and reputation. Editors and journalists across Africa have vehemently expressed their apprehensions, unanimously attesting to Sy's unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity and his impeccable reputation. Many have rallied to defend Sy, asserting their absolute conviction that he would never be involved in such actions. The gravity of the threat against Sy is heightened by…
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“Our mission was to keep the lights on, fight corruption and save the SABC”

“Our mission was to keep the lights on, fight corruption and save the SABC”

MATHATHA TSEDU THE SABC is not only our national public broadcaster, but it is also a National key point. As such security at the SABC is an important issue. In many countries, the security is done by the Defence Force and it is not unusual to find a military tank ala Gaza, parked outside a national broadcaster. MATHATHA TSEDU When I was appointed as a member of the Interim Board of the SABC by President Gedleyihlekisa Zuma in 2017, the corporation was almost on its knees. Our arrival was not shorn of drama as the then Minister of Communications, Faith…
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Post Moloto – The Language Warrior

Post Moloto – The Language Warrior

MATHATHA TSEDU RALPH Waldo Emerson, in his book "On Heroism", wrote:  "When you have chosen your part, abide by it and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself to the world. The heroic cannot be the common nor the common heroic. Congratulate yourself if you have done something strange and extravagant, and broken the monotony of a decorous age"   The struggle against colonisation all over the world is always a fight for the reclamation of the colonised's being, their dignity, way of life, their culture, their land and their wealth. In many previously colonised nations, the coloniser packs his and…
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The real meaning of Jessie Duarte

The real meaning of Jessie Duarte

MATHATHA TSEDU: 2022.07.19THE mental turmoil started on Saturday morning at about 9.45 when my son Mpho, forwarded a message that read in part: “Just got a call that Jessie is now back home – having been diagnosed with cancer there is nothing more they can do, she is now in the “end of life” stage…..”Since she took leave from her duties as Deputy Secretary General who was effectively the Secretary-General in the absence of the incumbent, I had tried to reach her to just say hang in there friend, for that is what we called each otherIn between some moron…
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Comrade Dick – A rock that stood the test of time

Comrade Dick – A rock that stood the test of time

MATHATHA TSEDU  The day after Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated as President of the country in June 2019, SABC journalist, Desiree Chauke, interviewed Azwifarwi Dick Ralushayi about how he knew the new President. For journalists, it was a time to find the little unknown gems that would give viewers/readers/listeners a glimpse into the life of the President away from the public persona. Ralushayi attended high school with Ramaphosa and there was even a picture of the two of them as natty dressers standing outside one of the dormitories they had shared at Mphaphuli High in Sibasa, Limpopo. Ralushayi was introduced by…
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Farewell Bra Saul, unsung, humble and selfless hero

Farewell Bra Saul, unsung, humble and selfless hero

MATHATHA TSEDU WE first met at a Black People’s Convention (BPC) meeting outside Sibasa in the then Venda Bantustan in the mid seventies. There weren’t too many people in the meeting, there never was those days, as security police always monitored such gatherings and afterwards visited some of those attending. We just greeted and shook hands, no introductions, none was asked for and none proffered. At such meetings you took whatever information was given, and did not ask for more. If the person thought you should get more they would give it without prompting, when you asked for it, you…
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The real meaning for Black Wednesday – October 19, 1977

The real meaning for Black Wednesday – October 19, 1977

MATHATHA TSEDU Mathatha Tsedu THE magnitude of the October 19, 1977 ban by the apartheid government of newspapers and 19 political organisations reflected both the extent of penetration of the Black Consciousness (BC) philosophy into the communities, as well as an understanding by the government at that time that they were faced with something much bigger and complex. Bigger because this was a movement that had within the space of four years been able to nationally galvanise university students in 1972 and four years later, high school students in 1976. Complex because this was not a movement begging for a…
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