Paddy Harper, a true to the bone journalist with an unwavering commitment to the craft

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Thu 30 Mar   [ron_derby] To some, journalism is a dying profession as anyone and their dog can put together a string of words, make a voice or video recording and place it on anyone of the myriad of social platforms and you have an audience. Well, we can debate on that and I suggest that the Mail & Guardian in the very future is going to have a session with either the Stellenbosch University or Wits University on the subject of journalism. Watch this space. But I digress, the reason why I opened this newsletter on journalism and its form, is the work of Paddy Harper. He is the die-hard, veteran journalist fitting all the stereotypical definitions of what a journalist is, and while the modern age of storytelling has seen many younger journalists steal the limelight from men and women such as him – he is what I consider the real deal. Ever since I’ve been at the Mail & Guardian, I’ve wanted readers to get more from him and I must say that in recent weeks and in fact months, his work has been stellar. My only problem is that he is based out of Durban. I’m not an editor to single out individuals for special attention, especially publicly, taken from leadership skills learned from the former manager of my favourite team, Arsene Wenger. But there are special moments, and special people that you come across in your career — that sometimes you just need to acknowledge. It’s Paddy’s turn. I’m going to urge readers to follow his work on Umgeni Water, the work on the Zulu Monarch in last week’s leading story. This is journalism and it’s for people like myself blessed to be custodians of such a hallowed publication like the Mail & Guardian to ensure there’s a stage for such men, and hope their work inspires the younger generation of journalists that we are blessed with. Clearly I was feeling a bit mushy about Paddy, this is in dedication to him. Ron Derby | Editor-in-Chief [@Ronderby]( [ANC campaigns chairperson Senzo Mchunu wants the party to heed the 'Thuma Mina' call.]( Premium [Umgeni Water board challenges its disbandment]( The former members have said that an interim board has been appointed illegally and without being vetted This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [violence women000_1K379P]( Premium [Rape law challenge driven by emotion, ego – justice ministry]( The department is opposing a bid to declare unconstitutional the defence a rape accused can use — that they believed the victim had consented This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [The new requirements for nurses to be trained at higher educational institutions is creating a difficult situation for colleges seeking accreditation.]( [How much do state nurses, porters and cleaners earn?]( State health workers will remain cash-strapped as the government battles to rein in its massive public sector wage bill [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [The good, the bad and the ugly: Leaders have a choice]( A conscious leader instils a culture of help and service to others and does not pursue the bottom line at all cost [// Read more]( [‘I left Zimbabwe for SA. I want to go back but it’s difficult’]( I had to leave Zimbabwe because I could not support my family. I have lived legally in South Africa but now I will be forced to return to poverty [// Read more]( [The economics of trophy hunting]( Some argue trophy hunting helps conservation and communities, others believe it is a ‘hobby for the rich that benefits the rich’ and is detrimental to both [// Read more]( [Africa must up resilience to food insecurity caused by the Ukraine war]( The continent needs to call on its international partners to provide assistance and share their expertise [// Read more]( [Democratic Alliance’s Cilliers Brink elected Tshwane mayor]( Brink called for cooperation between parties, characterising the past weeks at the Tshwane council as unfortunate [// Read more]( Pic of the day [china rocket] A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket carrying four meteorological satellites belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation blasts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on March 22, 2023 in Jiuquan, Gansu Province of China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa