Tributes pour in for veteran journalist

Journalists mourned the loss of “legendary” reporter Royston “Roy” Barnard this week, and tributes have poured in for the veteran journalist from around the world and from all walks of life.

Barnard died at the age of 78 at Entabeni Hospital on Monday. He had had a heart-related illness.

Dianne Kohler Barnard, his ex-wife, said he had been fitted with a pacemaker two days before his death.

“Doctors told us he would be fine and back to normal, but on Monday morning he just did not wake up,” she said.

Barnard is survived by his son, attorney Peter Barnard.

Kohler Barnard said he had started his career at a bank, at his mother’s request. “He hated his bank job, so he left and walked into the SABC and asked for a job. After working at the SABC for a while, he began working for a newspaper and then went back to the SABC, before working for a newspaper again. We went overseas for a while and started a news agency before coming back home. He wrote a column for the Independent on Saturday, called ‘Fly on the Wall’, which he only stopped writing a few months ago when he became ill,” she said.

Kohler Barnard said that her Facebook profile had seen an influx of condolence messages – ranging from young reporters to seasoned journalists. After posting a message about news of his death, Kohler Barnard received condolences from people in different industries and from as far as England and Australia.

Themi Venturas, who runs the Catalina Theatre in Durban, posted: “My thoughts go out to you and Peter (his son).” DA MP Haniff Hoosen, who is standing as a candidate to become the DA chairman in KZN, posted: “That is really really sad news. I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. I pray that God grant you and your family strength and courage.”

Veteran journalist Marianne Thamm posted: “My deepest, deepest condolences at yours, Peter and the rest of your family’s great loss.”

Journalist Sally Scott posted: “They are few and very far between, good men and good investigative journalists. Strength and love to you and yours, Dianne.” Mercury columnist Rod E Smith posted: “RIP – with love from Rod, Thulani, and Nathanael in Indianapolis.”

Kohler Barnard said a wake would be held at the German Club at 3pm on Sunday – a place where, she said, he had enjoyed being with his friends.