SA media man Allister Sparks passes away

Veteran journalist Allister Sparks passed away in Johannesburg on Monday at the age of 83.

Sparks, former editor of the Rand Daily Mail and internationally acclaimed author, suffered a heart attack while in the Morningside Clinic.

Media24 reports that a memorial is being planned for Friday, 14 October at 11am at the Braamfontein Crematorium.

The local media industry shared their condolences in the social media space:

#AllisterSparks A pen of the finest pedigree draws in its ink. To rest after bearing witness then. And now. A journalist's journalist.
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) September 20, 2016

Last night spoke to @helenzille on the late #AllisterSparks "he was my mentor" https://t.co/DjzeLvowWn
— Koketso R Sachane (@KoketsoSachane) September 20, 2016

A great #Journalist who "inculcated a spirit of robustness in SA civil society" bc "journalism comes w/ responsibility" RIP #AllisterSparks pic.twitter.com/QksEVzn9H7
— sofia moreira sousa (@sofiamoreir) September 19, 2016

Click here for the Cape Town Press Club's tribute to Sparks.