Celebrating media freedom

Apartheid govt launched an assault on the press.

- Lenka Bula

CRACKDOWN: 19 OCTOBER 1977 WAS A DARK MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY

As South Africa marks the 47th anniversary of Black Wednesday, we reflect on one of the darkest moments in our history when the apartheid government launched an aggressive assault on media freedom.

On 19 October 1977, a day when newsrooms were raided, newspapers were banned and journalists were detained for daring to expose the brutal realities of apartheid.

At the forefront of this struggle was Percy Qoboza, a fearless journalist and editor of The World newspaper, who used his pen to challenge the injustices of the time.

Detained alongside his colleagues, Qoboza became a symbol of resistance and courage, embodying the critical role that journalism plays in holding power to account.

His voice, though temporarily silenced, left an indelible mark on the fight for freedom and justice in South Africa.

At Unisa, we are proud to honour Qoboza's legacy both as a pioneering journalist and an alumnus of our institution. His commitment to truth, social justice and the empowerment of the marginalised resonates deeply with Unisa's core mission.