Sad sendoff for ‘lioness’ Suna

Suna Venter was remembered by family and friends at a memorial service in Fairlands yesterday.

“You were a lioness who protected her loved ones. I was so proud of you.”

This was how the brother of the late SABC senior radio producer Suna Venter described her at a memorial service at the Dutch Reformed Church in Fairlands, Johannesburg, yesterday.

Wilhelm Venter held back tears as he paid tribute to his sister during the service attended by family, friends and colleagues.

Venter, 32, was part of the SABC 8 – journalists who were suspended by the public broadcaster after they voiced their concern about unlawful interference in the newsroom and editorial policy.

Venter’s body was discovered in her apartment in Fairlands last Thursday. She had been suffering from a cardiac condition known as stress cardiomyopathy or “broken heart syndrome”, believed to be caused by trauma and prolonged periods of unnatural stress.

“I wish a few things for you, that there’s chocolate cheese cake in heaven for you, that you know that we loved you,” Wilhelm said.

Sister Tessa said Suna had the softest heart and had a love for words which made her a worldclass journalist.

“I wish I could have you back just to tell you how much love I have for you,” Tessa said. “We will stay sad for a very long time.”

Venter was passionate about news and was part of various humanitarian missions in war-torn Libya, Gaza, Egypt and Syria. – ANA

I wish I could have you back just to tell you how much love I have for you. Tessa Venter Deceased journalist Suna Venter’s sister.