President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, Paul Mashatile, are among the many South Africans paying tribute to esteemed journalist Tshidi Madia, who died at the age of 42 following a short illness.

Her employer, Primedia Broadcasting, confirmed that she died on Wednesday in a hospital, leaving a significant void in South Africa’s media landscape and among her colleagues, friends, and followers.

Ramaphosa expressed his deepest condolences to Madia’s family, friends, and supporters, describing her as a “beloved newswoman” whose love for South Africa informed her tough questions and hopeful vision.

“My thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of journalists, political commentators, radio host, and moderator Tshidi Madia, who has passed away in the prime of her life,” said Ramaphosa.

“We shall continue to work for Tshidi’s South Africa, with her now-silent pen and voice in our memories and hearts.

“Her passing during Women’s Month reminds us of her stature as a remarkable citizen and thought leader presented to the nation as an outstanding woman. May her soul rest in peace.”

Mashatile said he had learnt with “utter shock and sadness” of Madia’s passing and extended his heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and the wider media fraternity.

“South Africa has lost a formidable voice – a voice that could be heard on EWN (Eyewitness News) and across a host of radio stations,” he said.

“Tshidi was one of the media’s most renowned, respected and well-loved members. If Samkele Maseko (SABC News political journalist) was known jocularly as the ‘Lord of the Media,’ Tshidi Madia was most certainly the ‘Darling of the Media’.”

Mashatile praised Madia as a consummate professional with a disarming smile and a gift for balancing warmth with journalistic rigour.

“She possessed that disarming smile and easy-going banter that made it difficult to refuse her an interview. And when granted, she had a unique skill: she would move you seamlessly from the easy, obvious questions to the most complex and controversial issues in the media environment – which is precisely where she had intended to drive you all along,” he said.

“But make no mistake; behind that sharp intellect and strategic approach to her craft was a profound and unwavering love for her country – a love only equalled by her passion for journalism. She believed fiercely in the role of a free press in a thriving democracy and held those in power to account with fairness and rigour.”

He added that Madia’s passing was a great loss to the nation and the broader media fraternity.

“We will miss her incisive journalism, her tenacious pursuit of the truth and her unparalleled ability to draw out the good stories that define and challenge South Africa.”

Political parties, including the ANC, DA, EFF, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, ActionSA, IFP and others, also released statements mourning her death.

Social media has since been flooded with tributes, as journalists, politicians, fans and colleagues express shock and sadness, while remembering her professionalism, kindness and influence.

Madia’s career began at Primedia Broadcasting, where she worked as an assistant on the EWN traffic desk. 

She later moved to Power FM as a reporter and presenter, before joining News24, where she became a prominent figure in South African political journalism.

She eventually returned to EWN as a senior political reporter and was later promoted to Associate Editor: Politics. 

She also hosted the well-regarded podcast Politricking with Tshidi Madia, which featured in-depth interviews with key political figures and offered insightful political commentary.

Family spokesperson Mahlatse Mahlatse said Madia was deeply dedicated to her craft and had an enduring love for South Africa.

“A respected journalist, she loved South Africa deeply and devoted her career to telling its stories,” Mahlatse said. 

“She brought joy and love to all who knew her, and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends.”

Funeral details will be shared in due course, the family said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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