Cape Town - Well-known financial journalist David Carte (67) on Thursday died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, progressive form of lung disease characterised by fibrosis of the supporting framework of the lungs.
Carte, who was director at Meropa Communications until his death, was among others editor at large of Moneyweb Holdings, editor of Sunday Times Business Times, assistant editor at Finance Week and contributory editor at Financial Mail.
In a tribute to Carte, Meropa CEO Peter Mann said: "South Africa has lost a fine journalist and an even greater human being."
One of his former journalist colleagues, Barry Sergeant, on Thursday morning tweeted “a finer fellow you will not find”.
Said Mann in his tribute letter sent to Fin24:
"It’s fashionable to praise people after they have died, but David truly was an extraordinary person. He was filled with humility and integrity, and his life was guided by the strong Christian faith he shared with his wife Monique.
"He was a great and loving father to his three daughters, Vanessa, Soul and Nicci; and with their husbands and grandkids as they filled these, his last days.
"David knew only one path. It was to always do the right thing, to the best of his ability. He was outraged by deceit and dishonesty, and expected the best of all he came into contact with.
"He was a great journalist - thoughtful, measured and balanced. He had a great zest for life and loved the outdoors - particularly the Drakensberg from where his family hails.
"David was wise and kind and always saw the best in people. He was a good boss who cared for his staff and earned their loyalty.
"At Meropa we mourn a friend, a former colleague, director and shareholder. His contribution to our company was immense.
"David joined us in 1990 directly from the Sunday Times Business Times where he was editor and wrote the extraordinarily popular Carte Blanche column.
"He left us in 2005 to return to journalism - his first love- and to spend time with his beloved wife and family.
"I had a forthright conversation with him when he was diagnosed with a progressive lung disease.
"I was trying to persuade him to seek the lung transplant that could save his life. 'I’m not scared of dying. I am looking forward to meeting my maker. It is life’s last great adventure,' he said.
"All of us who know David wish him well as he experiences whatever that adventure is – and we offer our love and care to his family and friends as they celebrate an extraordinary life that was well lived."
Carte, who was director at Meropa Communications until his death, was among others editor at large of Moneyweb Holdings, editor of Sunday Times Business Times, assistant editor at Finance Week and contributory editor at Financial Mail.
In a tribute to Carte, Meropa CEO Peter Mann said: "South Africa has lost a fine journalist and an even greater human being."
One of his former journalist colleagues, Barry Sergeant, on Thursday morning tweeted “a finer fellow you will not find”.
Said Mann in his tribute letter sent to Fin24:
"It’s fashionable to praise people after they have died, but David truly was an extraordinary person. He was filled with humility and integrity, and his life was guided by the strong Christian faith he shared with his wife Monique.
"He was a great and loving father to his three daughters, Vanessa, Soul and Nicci; and with their husbands and grandkids as they filled these, his last days.
"David knew only one path. It was to always do the right thing, to the best of his ability. He was outraged by deceit and dishonesty, and expected the best of all he came into contact with.
"He was a great journalist - thoughtful, measured and balanced. He had a great zest for life and loved the outdoors - particularly the Drakensberg from where his family hails.
"David was wise and kind and always saw the best in people. He was a good boss who cared for his staff and earned their loyalty.
"At Meropa we mourn a friend, a former colleague, director and shareholder. His contribution to our company was immense.
"David joined us in 1990 directly from the Sunday Times Business Times where he was editor and wrote the extraordinarily popular Carte Blanche column.
"He left us in 2005 to return to journalism - his first love- and to spend time with his beloved wife and family.
"I had a forthright conversation with him when he was diagnosed with a progressive lung disease.
"I was trying to persuade him to seek the lung transplant that could save his life. 'I’m not scared of dying. I am looking forward to meeting my maker. It is life’s last great adventure,' he said.
"All of us who know David wish him well as he experiences whatever that adventure is – and we offer our love and care to his family and friends as they celebrate an extraordinary life that was well lived."