Percy Qoboza, influential anti-Apartheid journalist, dies

Well-known South African anti-apartheid journalist and former editor of The World newspaper, Percy Qoboza, died on his fiftieth birthday in Johannesburg after having a heart attack and falling into a coma.

Qoboza was known for the barrage of criticism he directed at the Apartheid regime especially after the June 16 Uprisings in Soweto. At the time of his death, Qoboza was editor of the weekly newspaper City Press. Under his leadership, the newspaper became South Africa's most popular Black-edited publication. 

The National Association of Black Journalists in the United States named in Percy Qoboza's honour. They state that it is "Awarded to a foreign journalist who has done extraordinary work while overcoming tremendous obstacles that contributes to the enrichment, understanding or advancement of people or issues in the African diaspora. The honour is not open to journalists working for American-based publications."

It is notable that this day in history marks both the birth and death of this important figure in South African journalism and its history.