Govt: Rossouw's death a huge loss
2013-03-12 09:50
Johannesburg - The government has sent its condolences to the family of journalist Mandy Rossouw who died at the age of 33 on Monday.
"Government expresses its deepest condolences to her family, friends and the media industry. Her death is a huge loss to the media industry and South Africa," Government Communications and Information System acting CEO Phumla Williams said on Tuesday.
Earlier, City Press editor Ferial Haffajee described Rossouw as a talented writer who gave her all to her work.
"She was a queen-pin and scoop-getter of our newsroom and a talented all-rounder. Beyond that, she was a dear friend for whom no effort was ever too much," Haffajee said in statement.
"Her body was found yesterday [Monday] after she uncharacteristically did not answer her phone. We are devastated at the sudden and shocking loss of a beloved, kind and talented colleague."
Rossouw was treated for gastric complications on Saturday night and told family, friends and colleagues on Sunday that she was feeling better.
Body being flown to Cape Town
Rossouw was Media24's international correspondent and City Press’s political reporter. She also worked at Eyewitness News as a political reporter, and had worked for Beeld as a political reporter.
"Her death is a huge loss for us," Tim du Plessis, head of Afrikaans newspapers at Media24, said in a report in Beeld newspaper.
Last year, Rossouw released the book Kings and Kingmakers before the African National Congress's national elective conference in Mangaung in the Free State.
Her body would be flown to Cape Town and funeral arrangements would be relayed as soon as they were available.
Media24 CEO Esmaré Weideman said in a statement: “Today we mourn the sudden passing of Mandy Rossouw, one of our brightest journalistic minds and a dear and much admired colleague.
“Condolences to her colleagues, friends and family. What a devastating blow to journalism, politics and Media24.”
- SAPA
