Friends and colleagues fondly remember the late Val Boje

THE immense void which the death of former Pretoria News editor Val Boje left in not only the media fraternity, but also in the lives of those who knew her, was evident when the National Press Club celebrated her life on Thursday evening.

Boje was the chairperson of the press club before her sudden death a week ago while undergoing surgery at Zuid Afrikaans Hospital in Pretoria.

Members of the club, old friends and colleagues, as well as among others, representatives from the Government Communication and Information System, SA National Editors Forum and various embassies, raised a glass in remembrance of Boje, who had clearly touched the lives of many. Friends and colleagues shared their love and admiration for Boje during the function hosted by the Unisa media office. As her husband Roy Devenish remarked, it was sad that she was not there to hear all the wonderful words of praise.

Professor Danie du Plessis of Unisa communication’s department remarked on the leadership Boje had taken in presenting the annual Percy Qhoboza lecture, which was dear to her heart.

The lecture has been hosted for many years together with Unisa and will once again be held next week in celebration of Qoboza’s legacy. Du Plessis remarked that the legacy of both Qoboza and Boje is not only about the past, but much about the future.

He also referred to how Boje mentored young students, who would always look up to her as setting the standard for journalism and professionalism.

Doreen Gough, former colleague and long standing friend, remembered Boje’s sense of humanity. She recalled how Boje started to work at the Pretoria News as a cub reporter at 21 and later married former news editor Roy Devenish.

Gough also shared the first story she and Boje ever went out on together. It was that of chickens running all over the city after they escaped. Not only did they report on it, but they also rescued the chickens. “Val always had a plan. My only regret is that she never knew how much she was appreciated or the impact she had on others’ lives.”

Former colleague and friend, Kevin Ritchie, said she was not only a faithful servant to the Pretoria News and the press club, but also to the people. Her legacy would be a tough act to follow.

SA National Editors Forum executive director Reggy Moalusi shared these sentiments. “Her incredible presence in our lives, mandates us to always refer to her in the present. Her work, wider than journalism, will remain in our memories.”

Jos Charle, general manager of the press club, remembered Boje as someone who embraced the new, although she was an old school journalist. She was aware that times were changing in the electronic era of media and she kept up with the times, without ever compromising her standards or ethics, he said.

Devenish said he would’ve very much wanted to go home and tell his wife how much she meant to all who knew her.