South African Politicians Pay Tribute As Journalist Tshidi Madia Dies
- Veteran journalist and Eyewitness News' Associate Editor of politics, Tshidi Madia, passed away on 27 August 2025
- She died after a short illness, and the publication mourned her loss, hailing her as a brave powerhouse
- South African politicians, including Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Fikile Mbalula, conveyed their condolences, and South Africans were saddened
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For seven years, Tebogo Mokwena, a journalist at Briefly News in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of topics, including accidents, fires, outbreaks, nature, weather, and natural disaster-related incidents, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: UGC
JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG — Politicians, including the African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, conveyed condolences to Eyewitness News' Associate Editor of Politics, Tshidi Madia, on 27 August 2025.
According to Eyewitness News, Madia passed away in the morning after a battle with a short illness. Madia obtained a degree in communications from the University of Johannesburg in 2008 and began her career at EWN's traffic desk.
Tshidi Madia's career and accolades
Madiathen joined Power FM and moved to News24 before returning to EWN as a senior political reporter, where she was promoted. Madia was the only journalist to have a one-on-one interview with President Cyril Ramaphosa before the 2024 general elections, during which no political party won a majority.
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Madia was also part of a group of journalists who were present in the White House in Washington, USA, during President Cyril Ramaphosa's bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. She went viral for an interview she had with an American journalist and refuted the false claim of white genocide.
Politicians pay tributes
The Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, conveyed his condolences to her family after her passing. Lesufi said that Madia was a respected journalist with integrity, passion for truth, and commitment to holding power to account.
"Tshidi was not only a journalist of exceptional calibre, but also a voice of reason and fairness. Her passing is a devastating loss to the media fraternity, our democracy, and to all South Africans who relied on her sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth," he said.
Mbalula also conveyed his condolences and said her death was a loss. He hailed her as an outstanding journalist and patriot.
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South Africans also convey condolences
Netizens commented on X and shared their heartfelt condolences.
Xian Brookes said:
"Such an amazing talent. I feel like I really only discovered her a few months ago and was loving her views, her voice, and was enjoying learning a lot from her."
Themba said:
"Xolani Gwala, Eusebius McKaiser, Karima Brown, and now Tshidi. Gone too soon."
Sarcastic Suzie said:
"Oh no, she had places to go. Definitely taken too soon."
The Enemy said:
"This is sad. A well-informed journalist, skilled and experienced in her craft."
Roms said:
"Life is shorter than what we think. May she rest in peace."
Gayton McKenzie shares how he assisted Nandi Nyembe after Lerato Mvelase’s attack
Meanwhile, Gayton McKenzie hit back at critics, accusing him of abandoning the late Nandi Nyembe and other struggling entertainers. McKenzie became a trending topic on Thursday, 28 August 2025, after actress Lerato Mvelase tore into him when she took to the podium during Nandi Nyembe’s memorial service.
McKenzie had initially ignored the criticism, but Mvelase’s blistering attack at Nandi Nyembe’s memorial was the tipping point.
Taking to his official X account on the same day, McKenzie highlighted that he was being unfairly targeted despite stepping in to assist Mam’Nyembe and other struggling entertainers. He confirmed that he donated R20,000 when Nyembe initially opened up about her financial struggles. The post was captioned:
“I will never take this abuse and lies. Upon hearing of the dire situation of Ma Nandi Nyembe, I immediately sent her R20,000; she thanked me profusely. Upon being notified of her death, I took the first flight out of Cape Town to visit the children. I was warmly received."
Euphonik celebrates Prince Chauke's death
In a related article, Briefly News reported that DJ Euphonik celebrated the death of former Sunday Sun editor Prince Chauke. Chauke died in January.
Euphonik accused Chauke of being responsible for allegations of sexual assault against him. South Africans reacted to his celebration of Chauke's death.
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Source: Briefly News
