Veteran journalist and former Ilanga MD Arthur Konigkramer dies

Former Ilanga editor and MD Arthur Konigkramer will be remembered for his role in sustaining one of the oldest isiZulu newspapers in South Africa.

Veteran journalist and former Ilanga Newspapers managing director Arthur Konigkramer has died at the age of 84.

His death was confirmed by Ilanga news editor Philani Mgwaba , who described Konigkramer as “Mr Ilanga” and said his contribution to the newspaper had been immense.

Mgwaba said Konigkramer had been associated with Ilanga for decades and played a key role during a period when the newspaper enjoyed strong circulation and commercial success.

“His contribution to Ilanga has been immense. He really is kind of seen in some circles as Mr Ilanga,” Mgwaba said.

Konigkramer, who was born in Durban, had a long career in journalism. He worked as a journalist at the SABC, Natal Mercury and Daily News before becoming editorial director of Ilanga in the 1970s.

He was appointed to lead the newspaper after its purchase by Inkatha in 1986. A fluent isiZulu speaker, he was credited with understanding the newspaper’s readership and the communities it served.

“He understood the target market of Ilanga . I'm sure you might be aware of the fact that he could speak Zulu and so he understood the target market,” he said.

According to Mgwaba, Konigkramer’s understanding of isiZulu and Zulu history was one of the reasons he was brought into the newspaper.

"We mourn his loss because although he retired last year, he was still closely associated with Ilanga. So we're very sad that he's passed."

Digital creator Nonhlanhla OkaMashobane KaVela, who worked at Ilanga with Konigkramer, said, " While death is always painful, in isiZulu we would say at 85 years of age, he has gone home to rest after a full life."

She said their journey together "was not without difficulty", her losing her job at Ilanga in 2012. However, the two had later reconciled and she remembered him "with grace".

KaVela said Konigkramer had steered Ilanga through a complex and changing period for print media, and his role in sustaining one of South Africa's oldest isiZulu newspapers would form part of his legacy.