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City Press mourns the passing of features writer Poloko Tau, who died at his residence in Mmabatho, Mahikeng, in North West, on Friday afternoon.
Tau’s passing was confirmed by his younger brother, Onkemetse Tau, who said the family was devastated by his sudden death.
“It is a difficult moment for the family as we are still trying to come to terms with what has just happened,” said Onkemetse, disclosing that Tau died a week before his 42nd birthday.
“I know he had plans for his birthday, but now he is gone.”
City Press editor in chief Mondli Makhanya was equally devastated.
“Poloko was a journalist’s journalist. You could just sense from his posture and mannerisms that this man lived and breathed his craft. He had that unique thing that we in our tribe immediately recognise when someone is true . He had an eye for detail and an amazing doggedness when he was on a story chase. The corrupt and inept whom he exposed would attest to that.
“But one quality that stood out for us at City Press was his empathy. Poloko had a heart that really felt and that came through in his journalism. We will terribly miss this gentle soul who laughed easily and regaled us with many a tale,” said Makhanya.
News editor Timothy Molobi said it was hard to fathom Tau’s passing.
He described Tau as a gentle giant who was always readily available to take on any assignment.
“When we needed someone to go cover the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, we didn’t think twice, as we knew he was the right man for the job. I have no doubt in my mind that his coverage of service delivery issues in different municipalities across the country had an impact on the outcome of the recent local government elections. He was a rare gem. But, most importantly, he was a gentleman in the newsroom,” said Molobi.
Further details of Tau’s tragic passing and farewell will be communicated via our various platforms in due course.
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