PAYING TRIBUTE TO SOPHIE PHILADE MOSIMANE

Compiling this special tribute to Mme Sophie Philade Mosimane (Nee’ Tema) as we enter the month of August dedicated to Women, was not a nostalgic exercise but also a source of inspiration and pride for one since Mme Tema mentored one during the build up and registration of James Mpanza Legacy Foundation Trust.Mme Tema was a journalist for the World newspaper.

ln fact the media as means of communication for black South Africans can be traced to the early days of missionaries.The missionaries intended to spread the Christian gospel and generate an awareness of,and involvement with,their culture and other aspects of the European presence in South Afrika.

Print Media

The first newspaper put together by the missionaries and aimed at a black audience was the isiXhosa language Umshumayeli Wendaba,which was printed by Wesley Mission Society in Grahamstown from 1837 to 1841.This “preacher”was followed by lndaba,which was published in English from 1862 to 1865 by the Presbyterian Glasgow Mission Society at Lovedale.

These pioneering efforts were the earliest expressions of advocacy journalism.They aimed to propagate the gospel among the newly literate blacks who,it was presumably hoped,would demostrate the marvels of them into the Christian flocks.This was the beginning of the media being used as a conduit for particular views in South Afrika.

The first black owned newspaper was lmvo Zabantsundu,founded in 1875 by John Tengo Jabavu in King William’s Town,with the assistance of white linerals.Through this publication,Jabavu, a 25 year old graduate of Lovedale College,brcame the most influentail black South Afrikan at the turn of the century.

Let us fastrack to 1932 when white ownership of publications aimed at blacks started Bertram Paver founded Bantu Press.The Bantu World which was launched and Selope Thema a senior member of the ANC as its editor.The Bantu World was a multilingual publication that a significant role in revealing the situation of black South Afrikans.

When Percy Qoboza was appointed the first black editor of Bantu World in 1975 that “Bantu” was dropped from the the name and the newspaper became the The World.

Mam Sophie Mosimane nee’ Tema was born in Sophiatown on 17 February 1937 the same year Mighty Orlando Pirates FC was born at 0rlando Leake Hall today Orlando D.O.C.C in Mooki Street.Mr Marks and Mrs Salome nee’ September Tema were her loving and caring parents.Her parents came from staunch stock Christian believers with their father Rev S.S. Tema as a moderator.She had five siblings.

Her infantile nursery schooling was obtained from Anglican centres her family were Anglicans.Later she passed into 0rlando East St. Mary Primary School today Emthonjeni Primary School.She later went to Stofbuerg Gedenskool boarding school in the Free State to complete her educational hunger was quenched by studying with the Union College( Johannesburg) for Matric.

Unaware that she had a talent of writing she ventured into the male dominated media department,fortunately she was fully endowed with well-dog tenacity for success of no turning back plus deep seated love for success hence her forte’ for writing deepen into almost all the newspaper houses on the Reef.

Firstly :The Eyethu” organ then a stint with the “City Press” followed by the “The World”  the daily township organ.lt during this period whilst she was a journalist for “The World” .She was given an assignment by Percy Qoboza to cover a protest march against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Soweto.She was suppose to be accompanied by Bra Dan Tleketle senior photographer but an urgent call came through that there was big story shaping up in Germiston.Then a junior photographer by the name of Sam Nzima was assigned to accompany Mme Sophie Tema to Soweto.

According to Mme Tema when they arrived in 0rlando there were students in the streets carrying placards and singing “Senzeni na”? (What have done wrong).The white police came in numbers with their dogs and they started firing and she a young boy carrying an injured young boy.She said ” her woman instinct kicked in” she rushed the injured young boy to the nearby 0rlando West Clinic.She literally saw an injured young boy(Hector Zolani Pieterson) take his last breath.

At this matured stage,she was snapped by the prestigious “Rand Daily Mail” where she joined Miss Helen Zille and Bra Jon Qwelane.Her swansong was sung in the township  favourite “The City Press”.ln essence having accured all this wealth of knowledge,expertise and the hordes of life,Mme Sophie was now fully armed to fill in any position in the co-operate world.

Mr Mosimane,Mme Sophie loving and caring hubby passed on,without her hubby’s presence it was conspicious that her moral energy was being depleted by the day but with her tenacity she plugged up courage to join the likes of Mme Helen Suzman and Judge Krigler in the country’s inspectorate of Prison counselling long term prisoner simultaneously in 1994 per Mme Suzman’s recommendation,Mme Sophie offered voter education to the newly voters of our country.

She passed on Sunday 26 April 2015.We miss you Mam Mme MoAfrika  Sophie Philade Mosimane nee’ Tema. Daughter 0f The Soil.

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