A new book seeks to salvage the reputation of Joe Modise

By Staff Reporter | Published Oct 27, 2024

MARK LEVINDays before Joe Modise died in November 2001, President Thabo Mbeki arrived at the Modise home to carry out a deathbed award of the “Order of the Star of South Africa (non military) class1: Grand Cross (Gold). Some wondered why the award was made so desperately late in the day since Modise had been in declining health for so long, detractors who had been grieving away at his reputation, questioned whether he actually deserved the award.