Emmanuel Akile mourned across South Sudan media
In Juba, South Sudan’s media fraternity has been mourning Emmanuel Joseph Akile, with tributes highlighting a career marked by professional courage. South African journalist and former JHR media trainer Jedi Ramalapa added his voice, describing Akile’s legacy as both practical and deeply principled (Eye Radio).
Jedi Ramalapa’s tribute to a public-interest journalist
Ramalapa portrayed the veteran Dawn Show host as an “invaluable asset” to people with limited power, arguing that Akile’s commitment to the Fourth Estate exceeded routine expectations. In his account, journalism for Akile was not a job title but a sustained pledge to protect truth and the public’s right to know (Eye Radio).
The Dawn producer and host remembered by colleagues
Akile worked as a producer and host of The Dawn, and Ramalapa suggested the word “worked” understates the depth of his engagement. He recalled a colleague who stayed late, helped peers, and steadied newcomers, treating solidarity as daily practice rather than newsroom rhetoric (Eye Radio).
Professional composure and clarity under pressure
Ramalapa emphasised Akile’s composure during tense moments, framing it as purposeful rather than distant. He linked that calm to an ability to keep reporting clear and grounded, arguing that a disciplined mind supported a disciplined mission in the newsroom (Eye Radio).
Why Akile’s reporting style earned respect
In Ramalapa’s telling, Akile’s strength was his capacity to absorb information beyond surface facts, including implications and human stakes embedded in official statements. He said Akile returned stories to audiences with sharper context, making events feel relevant and understandable (Eye Radio).
Humour and humanity inside the newsroom
Beyond professional traits, colleagues also remembered Akile’s humour and precise comedic timing. Ramalapa said that levity made stressful office situations easier to navigate, and he lamented the loss of Akile’s laughter and banter, describing him as “gone too soon” (Eye Radio).
A legacy framed as courage and service
Across the tributes, Akile is presented as a journalist guided by service, steadiness, and a strong ethical compass. Ramalapa’s message positions him as a benchmark for public-facing reporting, remembered for turning information into meaning while supporting colleagues along the way (Eye Radio).