'It will never be the same': Radio listeners, colleagues & politicians praise Tshidi Madia

JOHANNESBURG - It has been a morning of continued tributes, memories and love for EWN's politics associate editor, Tshidi Madia, following her passing.

Madia's friends and colleagues and politicians have described her as a bold and courageous political journalist.

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Madia passed away in hospital on Wednesdayat the age of 42 following a short illness.

Madia played a major role contributing political commentary on all Primedia's radio stations and digital platforms, including the podcast, Politricking with Tshidi Madia.

Madia presented some shows, often standing in on the Midday Report and the Clement Manyathela Show, connecting with listeners from all walks of life.

Many have said that they will miss her.

"It is really, really sad and I'm heartbroken. It will never be the same. As we mourn the passing of Tshidi, I wish you strength day-to-day as well as ask listeners, because we've become such a tight family," a listener said

"We will miss you, my sister. May your soul rest in eternal peace," another listener said.

"The first time I met her, there was a strike in Tembisa. We were striking about the electricity at the time the mayor was still Tania Campbell. I met Sis Tshidi at Mehlareng Stadium. I waved at her, she waved back. She looked at me and I kept on waving and then I went through security and then I went to her and greeted her. There's not even a single Politricking show of Tshidi that I've missed," a third listener said.

Former EWN Editor-in-Chief Sbu Ngalwa said Madia played an important in South Africa's media landscape.

"When I arrived at EWN, Tshidi was the senior politics reporter, and I appointed her as associate editor for politics, and I was clear to her with my message. I said: 'Tshidi, you are my Messi to my Barcelona. You are going to lift our political coverage. We will build our political coverage around you, and you will take it to the next level.' And that's a role she carried with great aplomb."

African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has remembered that she did not pull any punches.

"She's not the kind of person who's show you go on and you choose issues. 'No, no, no, no Mbaks. I've got to ask you questions.' You wouldn't bear a grudge with Tshidi because she would give you a fair chance but there's no question she wouldn't ask you."