VETERAN JOURNALIST LAID TO REST
POLITICAL parties were united in their tributes to veteran journalist Karima Brown, who succumbed to complications from Covid-19 and was later laid to rest according to Islamic rites in Joburg yesterday.
Brown, 53, died on the eve of South Africa observing the first anniversary of the death of the first victim of Covid-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year.
A former youth activist on the Cape Flats, one of Brown’s former comrades and also a former journalist, Jeremy Michaels, said Brown’s legacy would be centred on her plucky journalism.
“Karima will be remembered for being a feisty and fearless journalist who was passionate about her country and its people. Karima’s roots in the youth structures of the liberation movement instilled in her a deep sense of commitment to and duty in service of the ideals of our Constitution,” said Michaels.
In his tribute, ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said: “Karima Brown grew up in the ANC family and dedicated most of her life to the struggle for a just, democratic and non-racial South Africa.
“She was part of the activists who worked for the launch of the South African Youth Congress, as well as the building of the Congress of South African Students. Her father, a veteran of the ANC, Achmat Semaar, sadly passed on last year in April at the age of 72.”
Cape Town’s Ward 19 councillor, Ebrahim Sawant (DA), said South Africa and the world had lost a brilliant mind, a fearless fighter and a true leader who fought injustices on many fronts.
“I was privileged to know Karima since the eighties, and always admired her as a friend and comrade who never compromised on putting the people first and speaking truth to power,” said Sawant.
Former Cape Times editor and colleague, Ryland Fisher, says she will be missed.
“She was a formidable journalist, a strong woman and a much-needed voice in the journalism community. Karima was driven by a commitment and a passion for the poorest of the poor in our country, and she always wanted her journalism to assist with the upliftment of our people and helping to change our society.”
The SACP, however, made a call for the media to be diversified in memory of Brown, saying the ownership of commercial media was in the hands of a few people in the country.
Independent Media executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé said he had received news of Brown’s death with shock and sadness.
“The media landscape in South Africa will be all the quieter and poorer without her voice, insights and larger than life personality.
“A committed and passionate journalist, Karima will be remembered for her fearlessness and, most importantly, the significant contribution she made while she was executive editor at Independent Media during a time of the group’s transition and transformation,” said Survé.