Pretoria - A journalist with strong, unshakeable ethics, a worthwhile mentor, go-to friend and fun-loving buddy are among terms used to describe former deputy editor of the Pretoria News, Jos Charle, who died on Friday.
The tributes streamed in as news of his death spread.
Charle cut his teeth as one of the first black journalists in Pretoria to brave the streets, covering protests, strikes and apartheid-era violence.
His rise to management was therefore no surprise as he had proven himself time and again as worthy of heading the direction of news coverage, steering the ship and guiding younger journalists and photographers.
The news was broken by the National Press Club, where he was an executive member for years, and manager at the time of his death.
Vice chairperson Willem van de Putte said: “It is with great shock and sadness that we heard about the passing of our colleague Jos Charle today.
“Jos was a stalwart at the National Press Club for many years and served in a variety of portfolios, including chairperson.”
He was working for Capital Media Group at the time of his death, after an illustrious era at Pretoria News, where he started in 1983 as a cub reporter.
He quickly learnt a lot from the likes of Deon du Plessis, Veleleni Mashumi, Lucas Banda, Sej Motau, Patrick Hlahla, Morris Legoabe, John Patten and Alan Dunn.
Pretoria News Live editor Damian Paterson said he was shocked: “I’ve known him for more than 30 years, from his Sowetan days when their offices were upstairs in the Pretoria New building, because we used to leave work and go out for a drink together.”
When he joined the Pretoria News team, their friendship was solidified. The two worked close together until Charle left in 2016.
They rose together through the ranks, as Charle went on to the news desk while Paterson took over as chief sub-editor.
“What can I say ... What a genuine person. I could go to him with anything, any time, and he would listen, to anything.”
Pretoria News chief reporter Zelda Venter said she had known Charle for probably her entire journalistic career.
“When I joined the Pretoria News at the end of 1997, he was my news editor and later as deputy editor. I looked up to him and I deeply respected him. But Jos was not just my boss, he was a dear, dear friend.
“While he was dedicated to his job and was known as a hard worker, he could also party hard. But most of all, I will cherish him for the lovely, kind-hearted person he was. I regarded him as family.”
She remembered back to how heartbroken he was when colleague Patrick Hlahla died.
“Today I cannot stop thinking of Patrick, because I know if Jos went first, Patrick would have been devastated.”
The two had been firm friends, working hard together, being at the Press Club together when it started, and as a result, their families also became firm friends.
Lali Meintjies, who also joined the team when Charle was deputy editor, said: “His ethics were unshakeable. For him to leave us so soon after Val Boje (the late former Pretoria News editor) ... it is so tragic.”
Remembering how they both worked hard, but also partied hard when at the National Press Club, she said: “They will have to save us a seat and some wine up there.”
Former Pretoria News reporter Yolande Du Preez said: “What terrible news. I just spoke to him. He will be terribly missed.”
Brenden Nell wrote: “Jos was a master and a gentleman. A good man. I learnt so much from him.”
Van de Putte said: “We will miss his gravitas, guidance and calm approach. Our deepest condolences to his family.”
Among others who reacted were embassies, institutions of higher learning and the GCIS, who yesterday said: “He was a great newspaperman and editor, a true professional dedicated to his craft and a wonderful human being.”
Director-general Phumla Williams said “He will be sorely missed by many.”
She said they were saddened by the death, of the general manager of the National Press Club. “The GCIS sends its deepest condolences to Charle's family, the National Press Club and the country’s media fraternity. Charle’s passing is a significant loss to the industry. He was a stalwart supporter of ethical journalism.”
She described him as a seasoned writer who served in many roles during his career, including executive editor of the Pretoria News.
“In 2013 he began leading the Press Club. Charle used his experience and knowledge gained during his expansive career to mentor younger, upcoming journalists so that the South African media industry was equipped with skilled professionals.
"The GCIS will miss its interaction with Charle. While his passing is a loss to the media fraternity and the country at large, we are confident that many upcoming journalists are enriched and equipped through his mentorship. May his soul rest in peace."
Charle’s former colleague and one time editor of Star newspaper Kevin Ritchie said: “Sincere condolences to Jos’ family and his friends at @npclub, and to Pretoria News.
“He was a great newspaperman and editor, a true professional dedicated to his craft and a wonderful human being. He will be sorely missed by many.”
Journalist Xolani Mbanjwa said: “Rest in peace Jos, it was a pleasure working and knowing you,” while former eNCA reporter and now police minister Bheki Cele’s spokesperson, Lirandzu Temba also sent her condolences to the family and industry.
On social media those who had interacted with him said they were shocked, at the death on Friday, of the father of two, who is also survived by his wife.
He left the ’News in 2016, to join Caxton’s Rekord, as a sub-editor, and, said Rekord’s group editor Sunette Visser, Charle was passionate about training and uplifting “especially the younger journalists, and made a big impact on many careers”.
Visser and others described him as a stalwart writer who served in many roles in his long-standing career as a storyteller, including that of communications director of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup organising committee.
Former Pretoria News photographer Peter Morey recalled memories of covering the 1980s riots with Charle, describing him as a man who never panicked under pressure.
“My memories with Jos go back to the early eighties. He was very casual and laid-back, but always got the work done.
“I sent him a message just the other day saying that he must get well because I heard he was ill. He replied, saying that he was not ready to check out, but sadly we never know when it’s our time.
“We will miss him greatly. May he rest in peace.”
Charle, besides being a wordsmith and executive editor at Pretoria News, also made time for other activities, including serving as chairman of Tshwane University of Technology’s journalism advisory committee.
He was also passionate and active in the Methodist Church of South Africa’s Mamelodi Central West Circuit.
He said in prayer he found healing, and his prayer was appreciated by his fellow congregants as prayer from a wise man, his colleagues said.
His family said they would communicate plans for services, memorials and the funeral, in due course.
Pretoria News