Veteran scribe Khumalo was inspirational

Journo played big role developing media

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has expressed its condolences following the death of legendary newsman and government communicator Sipho Khumalo.

Khumalo, a former Sowetan bureau chief in KwaZulu-Natal, died on Tuesday after he was hospitalised, according to a family statement.

Sanef secretary-general Reggy Moalusi lauded Khumalo, saying: “He was widely regarded as the doyen of political reporters in the province [KZN] and played an important role mentoring younger journalists.”

Khumalo was a journalist for more than four decades before he joined government communications as a spokesman for KwaZulu-Natal’s department of community safety and liaison.

“Khumalo made his mark in several newsrooms in the province, including as bureau chief at Sowetan and as political reporter at The Mercury in Durban,” Moalusi said.

He said those who paid tribute focused on his knowledge of the people and politics of KZN.

Khumalo’s former colleague at Independent Newspapers, Agiza Hlongwane, paid tribute on Facebook, recalling that Khumalo “was quite the political animal” and ... “commanded the respect of top political leaders ...”

Another colleague, Fred Kockott, posted: “... back in the mid80s, Sipho inspired the formation of Concord News that served international agencies including AFP and Reuters, as well as alternative weekly titles, Weekly Mail (now Mail & Guardian), New Nation and The South.”

Khumalo is survived by his wife Dolly Ngubane-Khumalo, his father December Khumalo, children and grandchildren.