Remembering Dennis Pather: A legacy in South African Journalism

FORMER editor of The Mercury newspaper, Dennis Pather, has been hailed as a skilled journalist, an excellent manager, and a man with a great sense of humour.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

Pather served as editor of several newspaper titles in the Independent Media group, including The Post and the Daily News. He passed away peacefully yesterday. Tributes have continued to pour in following the news of his passing.

Editor of The Mercury, Philani Mazibuko, said, "When I joined The Mercury as an intern in 2000, Mr Pather was the editor. Despite my being a budding journalist, he invited me to his office and showed a genuine interest in getting to know me. His warmth and sincerity made me feel at home. Condolences to his family, and may his soul rest in peace."

Former Independent on Saturday editor Deon Delport said he was gregarious, with a great sense of humour, and he dressed well. "It was a pleasure to work with him," Delport said.

He noted that Pather was one of the first journalists of colour to join a major city newspaper and that he covered politics extensively. He would travel across the province and had to journey to uThukela, which was difficult as Indian journalists could not stay overnight.