Late Dr Franklin Sonn honoured for his patriotism & service to SA

Dr Franklin Sonn has been formally honoured for his patriotism and service to South Africa.

His son, Crispin Sonn, spoke glowingly of his father’s distinguished career, particularly his time as ambassador to the United States.

Speaking as the family spokesperson, he remembered his father with warmth and admiration for his significant contributions to the country.

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Crispin Sonn recalled his father’s great intellect, which was evident in both its theoretical and practical application, and which saw his career span across the fields of education, business, and high-ranking diplomacy.

He also shared that his father's most endearing trait was his mischievous sense of humour.

Dr Sonn was appointed as ambassador to the US by the late President Nelson Mandela in 1995. Crispin Sonn shared detail about his father's pivotal, though perhaps less-known, role in the sensitive negotiations around US sanctions on South Africa concerning the breach of the arms protocol.

"President Mandela inherited that and he had to negotiate an agreement with the US government to withdraw the sanctions and arms embargo on South Africa. And that I think was one of the first things that he had to deal with, one of the more difficult things," Crispin Sonn recounted.

Dr Sonn is survived by his wife, two children, and grandchildren.