What can one say when writing about Pearl Sebolao, the late executive editor of Sowetan. Its difficult to reflect about this beautiful lady who meant so much to us, and more especially to her family and children.
We affectionately called Pearl Phelindaba, Pearlisto or simply Pearly. To borrow an overused description, Pearl was pure dynamite. There are not enough adjectives or nouns to describe who Pearl was. All one can say is that she was a beautiful soul that approached life with vigour, a strident drive and resolute determination.
I first met Pearl when I joined Absa as deputy head of group communications. At the time, Pearl was responsible for our group publications and online platforms.
We hit it off from day one. She was a hard-working journalist who loved new media and the media in general. Her passion and approach to the work was beyond question and pegged at a different level all together.
You could tell this was someone who had operated at a senior level in the newsroom. Having operated as editor and managing editor of Business Day at different intervals earned her much respect in the team and more so from me as I remained a firm admirer of her work.