Tributes from friends and colleagues alike have been pouring in since the death of Andy Galloway (60), founding editor of Express.
Galloway died at his home in Strand in the Western Cape on Saturday (08/01).
Express, which celebrated its 30-year anniversary in 2021, is saddened to report on the death of its founder.
A passionate painter and writer, Galloway was equally impassioned about the development of community journalism in the Free State and Northern Cape.
For 19 years he was at the helm of this publication, which received notable awards for its role as reliable source of news.
Born and raised in Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, he matriculated at the Postmasburg High School and studied at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.
Galloway is remembered fondly for his great spirit and his ability to touch people’s lives.
Sidwell Guduka, former sports editor and editor of Express, expresses his shock at Galloway’s death.
“I was so saddened when I heard of Andy’s passing. He was one of the greatest journalists I have ever had the pleasure of working with in my journalistic career of 15 years,” Guduka says.
“Galloway recruited me to join Express in 2008, and offered me free accommodation at his apartment in Bloemfontein while I looked for a place to stay. I stayed with him for three months before I moved to my own apartment.
“Andy was my mentor, my friend, my confidant during our spell at Media24. We laughed together and shared meals countless times. We used to call each other ‘Eagle’, because we both travelled by plane across the country on a regular basis.”
He describes Galloway as someone whose larger-than-life presence was both feared and respected.
“He was not only a well-known scribe and artist, but also a well-loved friend and mentor to many people throughout a life lived fully. He had a big personality and didn’t shy away from voicing his opinions.”
According to Guduka, Galloway will be missed by those who worked with him at Media24; by people across Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
“He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
“Galloway was a man who enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow journalists, whether in the crucible of meeting deadlines, or in the calm of a local restaurant afterwards. He was also one of the newspaper characters in the city. Like many of us, he not only lived the job, but loved it. Apart from his family and journalism, art was his life.”
According to Annelien Dean, former news editor of Express, Galloway seemed to have no constraints holding him back from being the person he wanted to be.
“It was wonderful to work for such a confident editor, because anything was possible, even for a completely inexperienced journalist like me. I had very little idea of what I was doing, but I drew confidence from his confidence in me,” Dean says.
“Andy made a big impact on my life. He gave me my first job and believed in me when I had nothing to show for myself. For the three years that I worked under him, he invested time and energy into helping me become a journalist.”
She says Galloway managed through influence rather than instruction.
“He channelled and encouraged, but did not direct. He was intuitive and could quickly spot a problem that needed addressing. He would do so in his effervescent way that would unblock the problem without causing additional damage.
“It seemed he was always pursuing one big thing after another, especially in the arts world. Too much to do to be bothered with petty issues, it seemed.”
According to Dean, Galloway was a visionary in setting Express in place.
“In Express, he has a legacy that lives on. His investment into the publication bears fruit year in and year out, and it is fitting that the publication takes a moment to reflect on his legacy as its founding editor.”
Boipelo Mere, who had a stint as editor of Express Northern Cape, sister publication to Express, says Galloway left a footprint as the mouthpiece for the community.
“Thank you for sharing your journalistic skills and passion with me. You played a huge role in my journey as a journalist. When I met you in 2010, I noted your passion towards community journalism and the people. You were such a free spirit, a motivator, a mentor. You created a home in the Express Group.”
Mere describes him as a peaceful character who could handle a crisis as a minor glitch.
“Interacting with you on social media has kept me striving to do what I am passionate about. Although it’s hard to accept that you are no more, I know that the Almighty has better plans for you. The Angels will welcome you with open arms. I couldn’t help but shed a tear when I learned about your tragic passing.
“An ignorant individual took the phone from my hand, looked at your picture on Facebook and asked me why I am crying for a white man. I responded that you weren’t white. Thank you for the role you played in my life.”
- In celebration of the publication’s milestone of 30 years of service to the community, Galloway wrote the following: I remember so many of you, and it would be unfair and impossible to single out names – not just of the editorial staff, but also of the lifeblood sales and administration staff, as well as the readers, role players and advertisers who became friends, colleagues and fellow builders of the Express dream.
Our names will be forgotten, but that’s not why we dreamt Express. We had a dream, and dreams must not disappear.
My personal wish is that Express will continue contributing to a community we can be proud of as new generations emerge.
