Death of activist Ronnie Bernickow
LONG-time unionist, activist and “true servant of the people”, Ronald “Bernie” Bernickow died on Monday.
Tireless in his efforts to serve with “fairness”, Bernickow who was a Media Workers’ Association of SA (Mwasa) organiser and a determined activist during apartheid when the media was crippled by state of emergency laws, was recently appointed as the public representative on the Western Cape Chapter of Independent Media’s Ombud Appeals Panel.
Yesterday, Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé said he was “deeply saddened”.
“Many Struggle journalists will remember him as a tough trade unionist, who stood by what he believed in.
“Ronald represented a rare breed of activist, who came through the Struggle of the eighties and who continued to serve our people with pride and dignity. There was not much Ronald would not, or could not do. He will be remembered for his sense of fairness and for his humility,” said Survé.
Independent Media Ombudsman Jovial Rantao described Bernickow as “an astute man, a consummate professional, a loving father and a lifelong activist for truth and fairness”.
Fellow panellist Rich Mkhondo said he was a “man with a big heart. A gentle giant who has left so many memories. Gone from our sights – but forever in our hearts”.
Bernickow had also served as the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration as national senior commissioner for operations.