Farewell to ‘highly prized gem’ Pearl Sebolao and ‘Quiet Giant’ Ike Segola
South African National Editors’ Forum
SANEF joins the journalism community in mourning the passing of two stalwarts of South African media — Sowetan’s Executive Editor Pearl Sebolao and veteran sub-editor Ike Segola. Their passing, within days of each other, has left a profound void in the newsrooms they helped shape and in the hearts of those who knew and worked alongside them.
Celebrating the life and legacy of Pearl Sebolao
Pearl passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning following a short illness at the age of 50. She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her death at the Johannesburg Surgical Hospital in Northcliff.
At the time of her passing, she was the Executive Editor of the Sowetan and its digital platform, leading one of the country’s most influential newsrooms.
A seasoned journalist and media executive, Sebolao leaves behind two children and her sister, Lerato, who described her as ‘a darling and a shining diamond of our family … the woman who held our family together’
Her peers remembered her in the online Sunday World tribute as a ‘quiet, determined force’. Nwabisa Makunga, managing director of News and Media at Arena Holdings, praised Sebolao as a ‘quiet force … deeply committed to editorial excellence’, noting that her editorial contributions to Sowetan and BusinessLive shaped newsrooms and guided teams with distinction.
Her commitment to mentoring young journalists and ensuring editorial excellence was widely acknowledged. Sowetan Editor Sibongakonke Shoba described her as ‘an important pillar of the Sowetan newsroom’ and ‘a meticulous editor … dedicated to mentorship and skills training’. Makunga and Shoba are quoted from an internal staff note that went out.
Former Arena Holdings’ Chief Executive, Mzi Malunga, said: ‘Pearl was an underrated editor who was very diligent in her work … the last person I expected to speak about in the past tense’
Kabelo Khumalo, Business Day editor, summed up her legacy beautifully: ‘Pearl, as her name suggests, was a highly prized gem. Calm under pressure, kind and considerate. The next generation of journalists has been deprived of a mentor.’
Former colleague Tefo Mothibeli shared a personal tribute: ‘Pearl was such a great person … She was jolly and respectful. I spent many holidays at her home. Her passing is deeply painful.’
Honouring the Quiet Giant: Ike Segola
SANEF also pays tribute to Ike Segola, a veteran subeditor remembered by his peers as ‘an unsung hero of South African journalism’. Segola was one of the invisible yet indispensable figures who shaped the voice and quality of Sowetan as the country’s largest-circulating daily newspaper.
Renowned journalist Joe Thloloe, writing in the Sowetan, called him ‘one of the behind-the-scenes giants’. Noting that thousands of readers benefited from his meticulous editing, even though few knew his name, Thloloe said he painted a picture of their shared youth, friendship, and commitment to storytelling born out of the classrooms of Orlando High School.
‘”The Rock” prepared us for the life of storytelling that became our love.’
Mutloatse Mothobi, veteran journalist and publisher, described Segola’s unique courage: ‘I salute Rre Segola for having transitioned to that area most journalists feared – subbing – even in his mature years. Robala ka Kagiso, mogaecho’
Colleagues recalled his humour, dedication and deep sense of camaraderie. Mathatha Tsedu reflected on Ike’s years at the Media Workers Association of South Africa where he held the fort when others were banned, and how, even in declining health, he attended a recent gathering of veteran journalists out of deep loyalty and spirit.
The flood of tributes on social media and WhatsApp groups from respected veterans speaks volumes about Ike Segola’s influence — not only as a guardian of journalistic standards but as a friend, mentor and beloved elder in the profession.
SANEF extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of both Pearl Sebolao and Ike Segola.
Their contributions to journalism were immense — one shaping headlines from the front, the other ensuring clarity and quality from behind the scenes. Together, they helped define a generation of principled South African journalism
We honour their memory and express our gratitude for their unwavering commitment to truth, mentorship, and the written word. Their work lives on in the journalists they nurtured, the stories they shaped and the readers they served.
May their souls rest in eternal peace.
- This tribute was first published here
