CHARLES MATSEKE | A tribute to the late Tshidi Madia

Tshidi Madia was a force to be reckoned with. Her editorial prowess, journalistic rigor, and unrelenting spirit made her not only a formidable journalist, but also a trusted voice for ordinary South Africans.

She was the embodiment of the people’s voice, translating the raw frustrations of citizens into sharp, courageous, and uncompromising questions that pierced the veil of political spin.

Whether during election cycles or on her iconic Politricking with Tshidi Madia podcast, Tshidi had that rare ability to bridge the divide between the public and the powerful.

You could be sitting at home ranting about the state of politics, and Tshidi would be right there, giving voice to your thoughts, channeling them into questions that demanded accountability. She did not flinch. She did not pander. She asked only what needed to be asked and did so with dignity, depth, and bravery.

For me personally, Tshidi was more than a journalist. She was a mentor I admired from afar, a figure of confidence whose bravery gave courage to many of us pursuing the craft of political writing.

My own journey with EWN, writing political articles, was in many ways a path paved toward the hope of one day sitting across from Tshidi, joining her on Politricking to dissect the complex realities of South African politics.

I had envisioned myself as one of her researchers, sharpening the questions that would echo in the corridors of power. That dream, like so many others, has been taken away, not only from me, but from the Madia family, from Primedia, from EWN, and from a nation that deeply needed her voice.

What Tshidi leaves behind, however, is not silence, but a living repository of courage and brilliance. Her body of work, including her interviews, her writings, her podcasts, stand as a legacy that endures.

They are guideposts for future journalists, researchers, and citizens who believe in democracy and accountability. Her voice continues to remind us of the importance of truth in a time when deception and misinformation often reign.

Beyond the newsroom, Tshidi represented South Africa on the global stage, carrying herself withdignity and defending the honor of our nation. She reminded the world that South Africans are not passive observers of their fate, but active agents in shaping their destiny.

There are no words, no measure of eloquence, that can fully describe the depth of our loss. But what we do know is that Tshidi Madia lived a life that mattered. She uplifted others, gave voice to the voiceless, and lit a torch that we must now carry forward.

As the book of Ecclesiastes reminds us: there is a season for everything. Tshidi’s season may have ended far too soon, but the seeds she planted, in journalism, in public discourse, in the hearts of countless South Africans, will continue to grow.

Rest in power, dear sister. Your voice echoes still.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Charles Matseke (MPhil in Politics and International Relations) is a researcher and writer with a keen interest in contemporary political dynamics. His research focuses on electoral politics, foreign policy analysis, and international relations, with a particular emphasis on the Global South and Africa's role in global affairs.

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