City Times news editor remembered
The seasoned journalist and news editor of the Boksburg Advertiser and Benoni City Times died in a car accident in the early hours of September 13.
A consummate professional, powerful storyteller, passionate community journalist and advocate of the truth are just some of the ways colleagues have described Fanie Mthupha.
The seasoned journalist and news editor of the Boksburg Advertiser and Benoni City Times died in a car accident in the early hours of September 13.
His editor of the past six years, Lana O’Neill, said the loss was profound, with Mthupha leaving a massive void in their newsroom and broader media environment.
Having recently taken third place for digital reporting at the Forum of Community Journalists Awards, Mthupha dealt with trauma, death and grief almost daily, sensitively and precisely retelling these stories on behalf of affected families and communities.
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He joined the Boksburg Advertiser newsroom in 2010 as a journalist under editor Riaan Engelbrecht.
“Fanie was the consummate professional with an incredible passion for journalism, the community and for sharing the truth,” Engelbrecht said.
“He joined the Boksburg Advertiser as a freelance journalist, willing to ply his trade no matter the cost. Quickly demonstrating his diligence and drive for journalism, Fanie was soon appointed as a full-time journalist, working his way up to news editor. He was a brilliant journalist and well-loved in the community.”
Engelbrecht added: “May his dedication to the craft as a warrior of the pen be remembered – for the ink ran in his blood and he left a legacy of true journalism.”
O’Neill concurred that professionalism was a priority in his work.
“There is nothing that makes an editor prouder than journalists who are truly passionate,” O’Neill said.
“Fanie was entrenched in the community and leaned on these relationships when gathering news to ensure no fact was left unverified, no name incorrectly spelt and no important detail omitted.
“He was trusted and strived to never break this trust when dealing with the community, his contacts and sources.”
She said that as a colleague and her right-hand man in the newsroom, Mthupha could always be relied on to get the story right, uphold the company’s reputation and offer sage advice, particularly as a mentor to younger journalists.
“He loved being part of office banter as much as he did dissecting a serious topic or trying to fathom the events of a particularly disturbing story,” O’Neill added.
“Fanie’s voice will live on in the countless stories he wrote that touched – and changed – lives.”
Caxton Greater Joburg Metro editor-in-chief Marietta Lombard said Mthupha certainly touched lives through storytelling that mattered to the communities.
“Apart from being a very talented journalist, Fanie was a beautiful soul who brought warmth, kindness and humanity to those around him,” Lombard said. “We are struggling to come to terms with this tremendous loss.
“While we remember Fanie for the stories he wrote, I believe the greatest story he ever wrote was the one we witnessed every day – simply being Fanie.”
One contact Mthupha dealt with regularly was the City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini, with the two building a rapport of mutual respect and professionalism over many years. Shattered by the news of Mthupha’s death, Dlamini said he would sorely miss their interactions.
“I will miss each day that he would have called me to ask me his thousand questions,” Dlamini said. “I watched his light get brighter by the day, only to be diminished so untimely. May his soul rest in peace. Fanie ran a good race.”
Caxton Media East branch manager Karen Watts described Mthupha as a true servant of the public.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of an outstanding journalist and news editor – a true servant of the public,” Watts said.
“Fanie’s unwavering commitment to truth, integrity and powerful storytelling left an indelible mark on our newsroom and the community we serve. This unexpected loss leaves a profound void in the field of journalism and in our Caxton East Rand family.”
When he wasn’t writing and chasing stories, Mthupha worked as a DJ – a craft he never escaped having to bring to the office Christmas party.
Caxton extends its sincerest condolences to all his family and friends.
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