- Percy Qoboza
Infobox Writer
name = Percy Peter Tshidiso Qoboza
caption =
pseudonym = Percy Qoboza
birthdate = birth date|1938|1|17|df=y
birthplace =Sophiatown ,South Africa
deathdate = death date and age|1988|1|17|1938|1|17|df=y
deathplace =Johannesburg ,South Africa
occupation = Journalist, Newspaper Editor, Columnist
nationality = South African
magnum opus =
influences =
influenced =Percy Peter Tshidiso Qoboza was an influential black
South Africa n journalist, author, and outspoken critic of theapartheid government in South Africa during the early periods of world recognition of the problems evident in the racially divided land. His eloquenteditorial s did much to challenge the white South Africans who were shielded from the savage horrors of apartheid as experienced by millions of black South Africans at the hands of the minority government.Early life
Born in the black
ghetto ofSophiatown to a strongXhosa family, he experienced the harsh realities of oppression and discrimiation in his homeland when the entire township was destroyed in 1952 in anapartheid cleansing of the area. Many of the residents were packed up and carted off in open trucks like cattle.He later used this and many other experiences to excel at
Lesotho University where he earned a degree intheology , but later returned home to complete studies injournalism .Career as an editor
As editor of "The World" newspaper in
Soweto from 1974 until the late 1970s, he gave the world a unique and powerful view of theSoweto riots which broke onJune 16 ,1976 . Under qoboza, "The World" became a much sought-after publication. As a source of news and information on the black political front, it was gospel; to the government, it was seen as the enemy.His editorial column "Percy's Pitch" was highly anticipated. Under his direction, "The World"'s circulation increased to become the most read newspaper by blacks in the country. This allowed views to be shaped during the period when many young black radicals where formed and saw the need for change immediately.
This powerful voice was seen as a threat to the minority government and many attacks and threats were made against Qoboza and his family. Finally on
October 19 ,1977 , "The World" offices were closed and the paper was banned. Qoboza and scores of others were thrown into jail for 6 months without trial. His family had no way to communicate with him and had no way to know if he was alive. When he was released, he was eventually told to leave the country. He was invited to theUnited States and he traveled toWashington, DC and worked with theWashington Star in 1980.He was returning to the United States after he was initially nominated as South Africa's
Nieman Fellow atHarvard University in September 1975. The time he spent inCambridge would continue to shape his voice and allow him to build strong bridges with journalists from all over the world.He returned to South Africa and became the editor of
City Press in 1984. Again his sharp style gave a strong, passionate voice to the ongoing struggle to end oppression. He failed to see the end of his life work having died in 1988 after suffering a heart attack Christmas 1987 and slipping into a coma. His funeral was attended by over 5000 mourners including many of the leaders of the struggle in South Africa (includingWinnie Mandela andNthatho Motlana , the United StatesAmbassador Edward Perkins , and press from around the world.Percy Qoboza Award
The
National Association of Black Journalist in the United States awards an annual honor to the journalist who best exemplifies the spirit of Qoboza. From theirwebsite , "Awarded to a foreign journalist who has done extraordinary work while overcoming tremendous obstacles that contributes to the enrichment, understanding or advancement of people or issues in theAfrican diaspora . The honor is not open to journalists working for American-based publications."References
http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/99-4_00-1NR/Pather_In_Memoriam.html
http://www.nabj.org/awards/honors/index.html
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