The South African media industry has been dealt a heavy blow through the untimely passing of Wandile “Wara” Fana on June 11, an editor and publisher who uplifted rural communities with his work.
Fana was the publisher of Skawara News, a media entity that develops rural newspapers in Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape. He was also the president of the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and an adjudicator at the Press Council of South Africa (PCSA).
frayintermedia COO Des Latham and friend said Fana was driven by a deep love for South African people and left his mark in the industry.
“Everyone he touched could not avoid his positive light,” Latham said.
In a South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) statement, former AIP executive director Louise Vale said Fana fought for integrity in journalism.
“[He was] a radical advocate for the transformation of the media and creation of space for communities to speak in their own voice,” she said.
While he had a “huge” heart for people, former PCSA ombud Pippa Green said Fana never gave anyone an easy ride.
“He always asked tough questions, always pushed boundaries […] He was committed to the system of self-regulation of the media and his interventions were always robust but fair,” Green said.
Latham said Fana was feared by the political class of the past and present for his valiant fight against corruption.
“Exposing injustice in his beloved Eastern Cape came naturally,” Latham said
Fana was also a social entrepreneur and activist in the Eastern Cape.
“Last year during the hard lockdown he organised a feeding relief scheme for a poor rural area in the Eastern Cape,” Green said.
Fana, who passed away after COVID-19-related complications, is survived by his wife Heather and two children.
“He was a maverick who led by example and yet compassionate and caring – tough and uncompromising [...] I have no more words. Love you, my friend,” Latham said.
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