How Franklin Sonn helped shape democratic SA

SOUTH Africa’s first ambassador to the US Dr Franklin Sonn’s investment in the education of the youth will be one of his greatest legacies.

This is according to Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Vice-Chancellor Professor  Chris Nhlapo following the passing of the institution’s former Rector. 

“His hard work and dedication in laying the foundations for our university as we now know it, will never be underestimated nor forgotten. Dr Sonn returned regularly over the years to engage myself and the management team and his insights, guidance as well as the time he continued to generously give our institution was always greatly appreciated,” said Nhlapo.

Born in October 1939 in Vosburg, he grew up in the Eastern Cape, and later his family moved to Cape Town. He began his career as a teacher and became principal of Spes Bona High School in Athlone.

He was President of the Cape Teachers’ Professional Association before his appointment as Rector of the then Peninsula Technikon (now CPUT), a post he held until his diplomatic posting.

He held 12 honorary doctorates and received the National Order Counsellor of the Baobab Silver in 2008 from former President Thabo Mbeki.

The Presidency hailed him a pioneering champion of broad-based economic empowerment, who exercised his vision for a just South Africa as a board member in significant corporate businesses and as a co-founder of large black-owned enterprises.

“I join the Sonns and Franklin’s diverse friends and associates in mourning the loss of a leader whose life exemplified the essence of the Order of the Baobab. Franklin Sonn inspired the young lives entrusted to him in his early career as a teacher. He provided similar inspiration to the teachers he mobilised in the Cape Teachers’ Professional Association at a time when all sectors were mobilised against apartheid. We remember him as an advocate and activist for the accelerated transformation of our country after the end of apartheid and the upliftment of historically marginalised communities,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

University of the Western Cape (UWC) Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Balfour, said: “UWC honours Dr Franklin Sonn not only as an alumnus but as a symbol of principled leadership and visionary service. He was a courageous educator, diplomat and nation-builder whose life’s work helped shape a more just and democratic South Africa. His legacy of integrity, leadership and unwavering service will continue to inspire generations of scholars, citizens and all who remain committed to building the country he so deeply loved.”

Mayor Geordin Hill- Lewis said Cape Town has lost one of its great moral and civic architects. 

“Our thoughts are with his family. We also remember that Dr Sonn was a recipient of Cape Town Civic Honours,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

Cape Times