Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, has described the news of the untimely death of journalist, Mandy Rossouw as a blow to the country's journalism fraternity.
“Let me pass my condolences to the family and friends of journalist, Mandy Rossouw, who was found dead at her house at the tender age of 33 years on Monday. There is no doubt in my mind that South Africa has lost a passionate compatriot whose sense of news and fairness was a cut above the rest,” Mokonyane said.
Rossouw was a senior reporter at Media 24 and Talk Radio 702's Eyewitness News.
“On behalf of Gauteng Provincial Government, I would like urge Rossouw’s family, friends and the entire news fraternity to be strong. Indeed, we all have lost a daughter, friend and colleague. During this dark period we wish them strength and courage,” Premier Mokonyane said.
Mokonyane added that the death of Rossouw would have a wider impact for the country as the loss of her institutional memory would leave the profession poorer.
“Mandy Rossouw was a gutsy journalist who took great care in putting issues into context in her reporting. This fearlessness was also demonstrated when she made a seamless transition to radio broadcasting,” said Mokonyane.
Rossouw, who always referred to Mokonyane as her ‘big sister', last spoke to the Gauteng premier after the State of the Province Address in February.
“Through her articles and reports it was clear that Rossouw had studied the political terrain and knew it well hence her stories were always credible and well-contextualised,” Mokonyane said.
She was also respected for being an early adopter of the social media platform which was an uncharted territory for many in the industry.
Rossouw also represented a breed of young women who have occupied key positions in the media, breaking the barriers that other women journalists struggled to conquer. Her family should be proud of her and be thanked for their contribution and support in making Rossouw the person she was and will be fondly remembered as.
May her soul rest in peace!
For more information contact:
Thebe Mohatle
Premier's spokesperson
Cell: 082 373 1146
