- Journalist Karima Brown was severely ill in hospital in recent weeks.
- She contracted Covid-19.
- Brown was a leading media figure, with an extensive career covering print, television and radio.
Veteran journalist Karima Brown has died, her family announced on Thursday morning.
She had recently contracted Covid-19.
"It is with deep sadness that we inform the public that our beloved sister and mother, Karima Brown, passed away this morning. She died from Covid-19-related complications," her relatives said in a statement.
"Karima was not just a prolific and well-known South African journalist and commentator, with deep footprints in print and broadcast media, but also and more importantly a well-loved friend, mentor, mother, colleague, daughter and confidante to countless people throughout a life lived fully, and with deep commitment to her most cherished values and principles."
The Semaar family said they were "enormously proud of the fierce determination she had shown, since her early years, to get involved in bringing about a more just, inclusive and anti-racist South Africa".
The family said they were "massively grateful for and humbled by the countless messages of support, and prayers, during Karima's recent hospitalisation".
"These comfort us as a family during this profoundly painful experience of loss."
Ms Karima Brown’s passing is sudden and heartbreaking. She was a brilliant journalist and now broadcaster. Sending my deepest condolences to her family, her friends and colleagues. South African media has lost one of its loudest voice - I’ll miss our robust engagements. pic.twitter.com/kYXd7Ujz22
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) March 4, 2021
Career in print and broadcasting
Brown held a number of senior media positions, including political editor at Business Day and group executive editor at Independent Media.
She also hosted several television and radio shows, including programmes on CNBC Africa and 702 Talk Radio.
Most recently she hosted the programme The Fix on eNCA.
The news channel's managing director Norman Munzhelele said Brown had been "a robust voice in South Africa's media landscape".
"She had a big personality and didn't shy away from voicing her opinions. Karima believed in hope. She was also a loving mother, a loyal friend and a committed colleague. Her death leaves a massive void for many," Munzhelele said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are with her son, family and friends at this sad time," eNCA said.
As news of her death broke, journalists and politicians alike shared their condolences, memories and tributes to Brown and her family.
Karima was always kind to me. A friend tells me she was always kind to young, women journalists.
— Khadija Patel (@khadijapatel) March 4, 2021
Courage and fearlessness personified. May Karina Brown’s soul Rest In Peace. Condolences to her family. Strength and love.
— Clement Manyathela (@TheRealClementM) March 4, 2021
Absolutely devastated to hear that we have lost Karima Brown to COVID-19. I've known her since the 1980s in Cape Town fighting for justice, democracy and non-racialism in UDF structures. She never stopped that fight. Long live her fighting spirit, long live! #RIPKarimaBrown
— Madeleine Fullard (@mfullard2) March 4, 2021
We join the nation in mourning the passing of veteran journalist Karima Brown. Her contribution to the journalistic profession & fearlessness in carrying out her job will sorely be missed. Our deepest condolences to the Brown family, her friends and colleagues. #RIPKarimaBrown ?? pic.twitter.com/j9xcs7Bxvi
— Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (@Khu_Ntshavheni) March 4, 2021