Rhodes pays tribute to Professor Govin Reddy

Professor Govin Reddy
Professor Govin Reddy

The Rhodes University community wishes to convey sincere heartfelt condolences to the Reddy Family, friends and colleagues. Reddy lost a very difficult and complicated battle after being victorious in many fields of his life.

One of the most memorable CEOs of SABC Radio, a founding member of SABC’s flagship station, SAFM, an anti-apartheid activist, Professor and Director of the Sol Plaatjie Media Leadership Institute here at Rhodes University; Reddy was always at the forefront of media leadership.

After his return to South Africa from exile in 1991, he has been one of the key figures in transforming state broadcasting agencies into independent public media houses.

As the first vice chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, he intensified his work in the custodianship of ethics, fairness and giving a voice to communities otherwise ostracised.

As a tertiary institution that produces some of the finest media practitioners, we are now sending them out to a poorer space of transformation in journalism in the absence of Reddy. He has groomed many careers whose principles are the thread holding the profession together to this day.

During his time at Rhodes University, Reddy was a passionate academic, activist and was key to the transformation endeavours of this institution, particularly in media leadership.

To Tessa, Priya, Sudeshan, Micah, Niall and grandchild, Eila, we are grateful that you allowed us to be part of his charming and admirable life.