Tony Heard: his life as a journalist

TONY HEARD: HIS LIFE AS A JOURNALIST

Janet Heard, journalist

Tuesday 28 January  1.00 pm  COURSE FEES R110; Staff and students R55

Armed with a Pitman’s shorthand and typing course and a curious mind, Tony Heard became a cub reporter at the Cape Times in 1955, just after he completed matric. He studied part-time at UCT as he rose rapidly through the ranks of the liberal media during apartheid. Heard displayed a curious mix of caution and courage. Several events and decisions shaped his life, and that of his family.

In March 1960, the young reporter covered a march from Langa to Caledon Square police station. It was led by young Pan Africanist Congress activist Philip Kgosana, whose courage saved the day and many lives. Heard retained a lifelong respect for Kgosana and, decades later, successfully petitioned the City of Cape Town to rename De Waal Drive Philip Kgosana Drive. As Cape Times editor in 1985, Heard was arrested after he published an interview with exiled ANC leader Oliver Tambo. The following year, he and reporters at the Cape Times also faced the wrath of the authorities over a determination to uncover the truth behind the killing of the ‘Gugs 7’. Heard was fired the following year.

Journalism runs in the family’s blood. Heard’s brother Ray and both parents were journalists. His mother Vida was a magazine editor and author. His father, George, disappeared without trace in 1945, which led to a lifelong family quest to seek the truth. This talk on Heard, who passed away aged 86 on 27 March 2024, is delivered by his journalist daughter Janet.

Recommended reading

Heard, T. 1991. The Cape of Storms: A Personal History of the Crisis in South Africa. Johannesburg: Ravan Press (out of print).

https://www.news24.com/news24/opinions/columnists/guestcolumn/opinion-tony-heard-lessons-from- sharpeville-and-the-cape-town-anti-pass-revolt-20220331

https://www.news24.com/news24/obituaries/obituary-tony-heard-an-editorial-light-in-a-time-of- darkness-20240328

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-04-21-philip-kgosana-the-meaning-of-his-courage-today/  https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-03-27-tony-heard-a-journalists-journalist-and-one-of-the-

bravest-men-i-have-known/

https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2024-03-27-obituary-tony-heard

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