Latest news with #FoxtonCommunicating
News24
5 days ago
- Business
- News24
Fly away, Dick Foxton; your work is done
When someone passes away, there is a line that gets trotted out during tributes that it has largely lost meaning: 'He/she touched a lot of lives.' Then there are those times when it actually means exactly that. And more. This was the case with Richard Foxton, more commonly known as Dick or by the fun nickname Foxy. Foxton passed away at the weekend at the age of 82 after a life lived to the full. A veteran media man, he managed Newsweek's operations for nearly a decade during the early days of African independence. He shuttled between his beloved Nairobi and Johannesburg, the city he would later learn to love more than any other. Although born in India, he spent his formative youth years in Kenya, a period about which he had warm memories. Moving to South Africa in 1971, he joined the famed Group Editors, a public relations firm made up of some of Johannesburg's newsroom veterans. It grew to be one of the country's most influential communications companies, boasting blue chip clients who wanted the brains and experience housed under that roof. Ever the consummate networker, he was ready to branch off on his own by 1981 and launched Foxton Communicating. This lowly newspaperman often reminded him that the reason the business became so successful was that it was started in the year the great Tottenham Hotspur won the 100th edition of the FA Cup in a classic victory over Manchester City. It was in this role as the founder and head of Foxton Communicating that Foxton's larger-than-life persona became legendary. The business model was innovative. He represented chairmen (yes, that's what they were called), CEOs and most of the deputy CEOs as well. The uniqueness of the model was that he would connect the company leadership directly to editors so that they could get a picture of the state of play first-hand. Over long, liquid lunches, editors would also share their perspectives on how they saw the respective companies. At results time or when a crisis hit, a direct line had been established. Moreover, the editors had a better understanding of the headwinds and undercurrents affecting the business climate. But there was an added benefit for the CEOs: they were interacting with individuals who had the pulse of the nation and could get insights that would be useful in their strategic planning and in future interactions with government policymakers and decision-makers. Everybody was the winner: the editors and industry leaders got inside each other's heads and the facilitator obviously got his cheques. But, for Foxton, it was not just about a payday. He genuinely enjoyed connecting people and relished the conversations he was privy to, and he appreciated it even more when they were no longer dependent on him. His connections extended to the political sphere, stretching to the highest offices in the land, where he proffered his services and advice on a pro bono basis. His generous pro bono work also extended to causes he believed in, touching the lives of many. But it wasn't just his work that made Foxton the person who filled up the room with his personality; it was the gregarious, humorous raconteur in him that made him irresistible company. In a tribute to him in Business Day this week, the newspaper's former editor Peter Bruce fondly recalled that 'he was a fabulous name-dropper and he had really been around'. And around he certainly had been. If you have lived the life that he lived, you can be given a free pass on that so nobody begrudged the stories, which were often on repeat and delivered with such panache. Many were serious stories, some were cautionary tales and several were hilarious takes. The 'name-dropping' consisted of encounters with heads of state, ministers, sporting legends, religious leaders and corporate titans. Not many of us can regale others with stories from dinners, lunches or just audiences with figures as diverse as Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Mother Teresa, FW de Klerk, George Matanzima, Harry Oppenheimer, Donald Bradman, Middle East royalty and global music stars. There would be jokes galore, also often told on repeat. But each time they were told, it would be just as funny as the first time. The liquids would flow forever, with Foxton encouraging willing and reluctant participants to have another, another and yet another. He colourfully encouraged his lunch partners to 'drink like monks at the end of Lent' or to 'drink like there's an army of bloodthirsty terrorists marching up the road'. Foxton would always talk about his children and grandchildren, and made a point of keeping up to date about yours. Close friend Khulu Mbatha wrote in City Press this week how he had always had stories about Lelo 3, Lelo 4 and Lelo 5. This was in reference to a little grandchild who updated her name according to her age. As anyone who interacted with Foxton would attest, no conversation would be complete without an ode to Thuli Madonsela, his life partner and absolute love of his life. To the rest of the world, she was the courageous former public protector and social justice activist, but, to Foxton, she was the summer rain that made his life verdant. Foxton never held high office in the public or private sector, but the life he lived had much impact on South African society. Most importantly, however, he was just a blerry nice guy. As we bid goodbye to this amazing South African, it is worth sending him off with the words of Bob Marley and the Wailers' song Rastaman Chant. 'One bright morning when my work is over Man will fly away home One bright morning when my work is over Man will fly away home Say one bright morning when my work is over Man will fly away home.' Your work is over now, Dick. You may fly away home to that sweet place called Paradise.
News24
6 days ago
- Business
- News24
Tribute to the ‘man with no name'
This past Saturday morning, 21 June, our beloved man with no name, took his last breath and passed away peacefully in his sleep. I was shattered by the news, and I reckoned that this was how Richard 'Dick' Foxton would have preferred to leave us, quietly without a storm or commotion. And that's how he lived his life, calm, composed and always looking for serenity. As a public relations professional, there was no task too big for him. Those who worked with him know that he was a go-getter. He always took the initiative, working hard to achieve his goals even when there were challenges that seemed insurmountable. Foxton Communicating, his company, handled communication of corporate groups – from the mining sector to all sorts of organisations in the private sector, institutions and sports organisations. The customers were vast and multilayered and Dick managed their reputations, disseminating information to shape, influence and maintain a positive public perception. For this, the media space was his playground as he managed both positive and crisis communication. What set him apart from his rivals was that he was rooted in the history and politics of his time, both nationally and internationally, especially the countries he had lived in as a child, grew up and chose to settle in – such as his beloved SA. For example, in a meeting with him held after the Marikana massacre of 2012, when the mining industry was in crisis, in particular the platinum and gold sectors, and the CEOs were still concerned about the future, Dick took the initiative and suggested that government, while addressing other pressing matters, should express full confidence in the abilities of the management of the mining industry in the country to run the mines sustainably. He also pointed out that government should recognise the important contribution that the trade unions make to the running of the mining industry. He concluded: 'Such a statement has many implications for the reputation, status and standing of our country nationally and internationally.' Khulu Mbatha He travelled the eight-decade road from the backwaters of Agra in India to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, from Kenya to the UK and finally to SA, with aplomb, sometimes a little recklessly, occasionally even bravely, but always with a wry sense of humour. Dick was full of anecdotes, like no other person I've known in my life. He encountered public figures such as His Majesty Sultan Bin Said, Katharine Graham, Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Christopher Forbes, David Frost, Harry Oppenheimer, Helen Suzman, Barry Davidson, Stephen Mulholland, Aubrey Sussens, Sir George Martin, Michael Jackson, Nelson Mandela, FW De Klerk, Margaret Thatcher, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Michael Spicer, Gary Player, Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe – politicians, business people, sportspeople and media gurus. His life partner, Professor Thuli Madonsela, once said: 'Richard thrives on bringing people together; and on understanding people and helping them strategically target their messaging.' I will dearly miss the time we spent together over the past decade and a half, and more so the dejeuners we had at restaurants around Johannesburg. He knew all the restaurant managers, the waiters and waitresses, and almost all the patrons of these restaurants by name and had a special seat reserved for him in all these eateries. As a devout Christian, he always started his meal with a prayer. He was well known and liked and he respected all, young and old, black and white. His one-of-a-kind memoir, The Man With No Name, is one of the best accounts of and a window into corporate SA's public relations before and after 1994. As a family man, I will miss the stories he related to me about Melo 3 Grand Pa, Melo 4 Grand Pa and Melo 5 Grand Pa. These were stories about one of his granddaughters who always reminded Dick how old she had become. My heartfelt condolences to his dear life partner, the children, the grandchildren, the whole Foxton and the Madonsela families and his many friends. Rest in peace, my friend. Hamba kahle. Mbatha is an author and a retired diplomat.
The Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Thuli Madonsela's spouse, ex PR exec Richard Edward Foxton, has died at 82
Experienced PR executive and spouse of former public protector Thuli Madonsela, Richard Edward Foxton, affectionately known as Dick or "Mr Foxton", has died at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully in his bed, the Thuli Madonsela Foundation announced in a statement. Foxton was a father, grandfather and founder of the South African communications firm Foxton Communicating. He was also a founding patron of the Thuli Madonsela Foundation. Beyond his professional success, the foundation remembered him as a devoted family man who was a deeply religious Christian. "He was a proud father and a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren, all of whom were a central part of his life. "His life partner, Madonsela, was his steadfast companion in personal and professional matters, and together they were a symbol of mutual respect, love and integrity. "Foxton's impact on South Africa's business and political landscape, his commitment to social change and his deep love for his family and faith will not be forgotten. His warmth, kindness, huge personality and boundless generosity touched the lives of many, and his contributions will continue to resonate for years to come. "His passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his influence will live on in the lives he touched and the work he pioneered." A memorial service will be held at the Rosebank Catholic Church on Friday at 2pm, followed by a celebration of his life at the Bryanston Country Club. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
25-06-2025
- General
- TimesLIVE
Thuli Madonsela's spouse, ex PR exec Richard Edward Foxton, has died at 82
Experienced PR executive and spouse of former public protector Thuli Madonsela, Richard Edward Foxton, affectionately known as Dick or "Mr Foxton", has died at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully in his bed, the Thuli Madonsela Foundation announced in a statement. Foxton was a father, grandfather and founder of the South African communications firm Foxton Communicating. He was also a founding patron of the Thuli Madonsela Foundation. Beyond his professional success, the foundation remembered him as a devoted family man who was a deeply religious Christian. "He was a proud father and a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren, all of whom were a central part of his life. "His life partner, Madonsela, was his steadfast companion in personal and professional matters, and together they were a symbol of mutual respect, love and integrity. "Foxton's impact on South Africa's business and political landscape, his commitment to social change and his deep love for his family and faith will not be forgotten. His warmth, kindness, huge personality and boundless generosity touched the lives of many, and his contributions will continue to resonate for years to come. "His passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his influence will live on in the lives he touched and the work he pioneered." A memorial service will be held at the Rosebank Catholic Church on Friday at 2pm, followed by a celebration of his life at the Bryanston Country Club.
