Who Called Iqbal What?!

It Was late afternoon on the 27th of November 2014 and Tony Weaver paused and looked back at the Cape Times newsroom which he was leaving after having served as one of its most respected reporters and columnists for close on a quarter of century.

- Ed Herbst

The new editor, Gasant Abarder and his deputy, Aneez Salie, who had worked assiduously to drive out Weaver and other long-serving white staff members, had not organised the farewell party which was customary on such occasions and had not acknowledged his departure.

He heard the ping of an incoming email on his computer and hesitated for a moment, then he turned back. Perhaps it was a message from a wellwisher.

He was already late for his farewell party at the hotel on nearby Greenmarket Square. ANC acolytes Karima Brown and Vukani Mde, who had been appointed by the company’s new owner, Iqbal Survé, and had written an article “Takeover is focused on transformation” in which white staff members were overtly and presciently threatened, were not expected to attend.

Age and infirmity prevented me from attending, but I was later told that Weaver arrived at the party pale and shaking with rage.

He quickly realised that the email – which was sent to him in error – had been addressed by Gasant Abarder to the now-retired deputy executive chairman, Tony Howard.