North West Premier Thandi Modise is saddened by the death of veteran journalist Andrew Molefe who suffered a stroke during an interview with her at the Premier’s official residence in Mahikeng two weeks ago.
The 52 year-old Molefe who was interviewing Premier Modise on Saturday evening for a news profile with the editor of Mafikeng Mail, Bobby Saul and The New Age North West Correspondence, Elfas Torrerai was immediately rushed to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital in an ambulance.
Molefe passed away at the Flora Clinic in Roodepoort on Friday.
“The untimely death of Molefe has robbed the North West Province and South Africa of a patriot and a community builder who had a passion for journalism and served as a fact checker, watchdog, story teller and an investigative reporter. The objectivity and selflessness of this great journo should serve as an example for journalists, aspiring or established, mainstream or alternative,” Premier Modise said.
Modise said that Molefe’s indelible mark and legacy is enshrined in his articles, in the newspapers he helped establish, and in the generations of journalists that he inspired.
Molefe who started his illustrious career as a journalist with Mafikeng Mail and later established Taxi Mate, Vibe Magazine and The North West Economist had long stints with City Press, The New Nation, Sunday World and Sowetan both of which he served as an assignment editor. His popular column at the Sowetan, Andrew Molefe’s People shared views of opinion makers with readers.
The well travelled Molefe also served as provincial editor and columnist for The New Age.
The Soweto Chamber of Commerce Magazine, Township Gazette, Capital Mail, Westrand Mail, Eastern Mail and Randburg Post are among the 18 publications that Molefe helped establish in Limpopo, Gauteng and the North West Province.
A memorial service in honour of Molefe is to be held at the Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Studio 3 as from 14h00 to 16h00 on Thursday.
The funeral service for Molefe who is survived by his Lydia and two daughters Amogelang, 22 and Atlegang, 18 is to be held at his Horizon View home in Roodepoort on Saturday.He is to be laid to rest at the West Park Cemetery later on the day.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
