The nation bid farewell to an educator and diplomat, Dr Franklin Abrahams Sonn, during a dignified funeral service held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the historic NG Kerk (Die Groote Kerk) in Cape Town.
Dr Sonn, who served as the Rector of Peninsula Technikon from 1978 to 1994 and later became South Africa’s first Black U.S. Ambassador under President Nelson Mandela, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at his home in Century City, Cape Town. He was 86 years old.
Born on October 11, 1939, in Vosburg, Dr Franklin Sonn was the son of educators Peter Martin and Magdeline Sonn. Their dedication to learning and faith profoundly influenced his life’s mission: to uplift, educate, and restore dignity to marginalised communities.
From 1967 to 1988, Dr Sonn led the Cape Teachers’ Professional Association with distinction, transforming it from a modest organisation of 2,000 members to a formidable body of more than 24,000. His courageous engagements with apartheid policymakers helped pave the way for meaningful reforms in education. In 1974, he was appointed Headmaster of Spes Bona High School in Athlone, where his reputation for integrity and visionary leadership continued to grow.
Dr Sonn’s leadership trajectory culminated in his appointment as Rector of Peninsula Technikon, where he became a transformative force during some of South Africa’s most turbulent years. Under his stewardship, the institution defied apartheid segregation by transitioning from a so-called “Coloured institution” into an inclusive space that welcomed African students.
One of his most defining acts of defiance was the admission of Gerald Majola, the first African student to reside in the technikon’s housing facilities—directly challenging the apartheid government’s racial segregation policies. This bold step opened doors for countless African students to pursue higher education at Peninsula Technikon.
Throughout the 1980s, Dr Sonn endured threats of expulsion for his opposition to apartheid and his determination to align the institution with the broader liberation struggle. He worked closely with the Student Representative Council (SRC) to ensure the technikon’s voice remained on the side of justice.
During his tenure, Dr Sonn assembled a leadership team, which included Prof. Figaji (Student Affairs), Prof. Johan Tromp (Academic Affairs), Mauritz Slabbert (Chief Financial Officer), and faculty deans such as Prof. Brian O’Connell and Prof. Oswald Franks. His collaborative approach extended beyond academia—he regularly engaged with leading anti-apartheid figures, including Dullah Omar, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Jakes Gerwel, ensuring the institution’s alignment with the nation’s broader struggle for change.
Between 1992 and 1994, Dr Sonn played an important role in establishing the Access Program, which created pathways for Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) ex-combatants returning from Tanzania and Zambia to pursue higher education. He also facilitated the repatriation and academic reintegration of young political exiles from institutions like Solomon Mahlangu College (SOMAFCO).
Beyond his contributions to education, Dr Sonn’s commitment to public service extended to the diplomatic arena. In 1994, he was appointed South Africa’s first Black Ambassador to the United States—a fitting recognition of his lifelong dedication to the country’s liberation and transformation.
His legacy is rooted in the conviction that education is a tool for liberation and dignity. Nelson Mandela himself drew inspiration from the initiatives championed by Dr Sonn, which played a vital role in shaping the democratic South Africa we know today.
Dr Franklin Abrahams Sonn’s life was a testament to courage, compassion, and the unyielding pursuit of justice. His work continues to inspire educators, leaders, and ordinary citizens alike, reminding us that through knowledge and integrity, true transformation is possible.
