Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
Veteran journalist Joseph Joe Latakgomo, affectionately known as the “journalists’ journalist”, who was the founding editor of The Sowetan, has been laid to rest following a special official provincial funeral service at the Atteridgeville Community Hall in Pretoria.
Latakgomo is remembered for his courageous reporting during one of South Africa’s darkest chapters. He exposed the brutality inflicted on unarmed students during the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976 — a day that has since been commemorated annually as Youth Day.
VISUALS | The funeral service for veteran journalist Joseph “Joe” Latakgomo is under way in Pretoria. The Journalist’s Journalist as he was affectionately known died at Kalafong Hospital on Sunday. Latakgomo was the founding editor of Sowetan newspaper and also served as the… pic.twitter.com/NBlh2Moa0w
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 28, 2026
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described him as “the eyes of society,” saying that without him and his colleagues, the full impact of June 16 may never have been known.
Lesufi says, “If it were not for him and his colleagues, we would not have known the impact and effect of the Soweto Uprising. In the absence of social media, we deem them the bloggers and influencers of that time. Having captured the essence of our past under very difficult times, where they had to write or take pictures whilst bearing in mind that they may be hit by a bullet.”
His granddaughter, Ashley Matlala, describes him as a firm believer in the transformative power of education. She says he encouraged discipline and commitment to learning within his family.
“He is one person who believes in education very much. He was very, very chilled but strict, and he was loved by his children, Thabo and Refiloe, as well as my late uncle Latakgomo. He was a very loving man and made sure that we felt and understood the warmth of a home”, she says.
Meanwhile, colleague and veteran journalist Len Kalane recalled the challenges of transforming The Sowetan from a regional publication into a national newspaper.
“When we started the Sowetan, Latakgomo was our editor, and those were really dark times. The first challenge was to take a title called the “Sowetan”, which suggested that it was a paper for the people of Soweto. Bra Joe and I worked hard to make it national, and today it is where it is because of our bravery and sacrifices.”
Video | Veteran journalist Joseph Joe Latakgomo laid to rest
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/latakgomo-honoured-at-special-provincial-funeral-service/
