Former editor’s legacy will remain
BRIJLALL Ramguthee: A doyen of South African journalism.
It was indeed a magnanimous and pleasant gesture by current POST editor Aakash Bramdeo to feature his predecessor, Mr Brijlall Ramguthee, highlighting his contributions to the field of journalism in South Africa.
For those of us who still believe in the print media, before the advent of technology and social media, and I remember being encouraged by my dad and granddad while still in primary school, to read the so-called “Indian” publications at the time – the Graphic and The Leader, this form of news garnering became pivotal to me in later years.
Mr Ramguthee, evidently, had been “through the mill” as it were, wherein he learnt and plied his trade with aplomb and distinction, reaching the position of editor of a leading
POST, publication, the retirement.
I had the pleasure of contributing to this publication under his watch on numerous occasions and I am grateful that he had allowed me space to opine on various issues I deemed necessary and important, albeit controversial at times.
I felt privileged when he invited me to pen a piece for “The Journey” – which marked the 150th year anniversary of the arrival of Indians to South Africa, a supplement that had contributions from many Indian South Africans who wrote beautiful lines about our indenture and history.
Despite the adversity of the times, being in a white-dominated and controlled industry, his legacy in journalism will remain on the mantlepiece for all posterity and we can only be immensely grateful that we had one of
before his “our own” stamping his mark with dignity, grace and utter professionalism.
Mr Ramguthee is a mentor to me to this very day, correcting my errors in writing, advising me on pertinent matters and giving me encouragement and critique where necessary – critique that can be quite irritating, but which is most welcomed and appreciated.
Undoubtedly and without exception, Mr Ramguthee is indeed a doyen of South African journalism in an era that demanded much more than could be imagined but he did come up trumps and he remains a watchdog for those that require watching.
Well done to the editor and staff of POST; well done, Mr Brijlall Ramguthee, and thank you kindly.