'My girl was always ready for a fight': Colleagues, friends & loved ones share fond memories of Tshidi Madia

CAPE TOWN - Colleagues, friends and loved ones gathered on Tuesday afternoon in memory of associate editor for politics at Eyewitness News, Tshidi Madia.
 
Madia died in hospital last week after a short illness.
 
She was known for her fierce style of journalism, her patriotism and warmth.
 
Madia was remembered on Tuesday as part of the rhythm of the office, the voice of reason in the chaos and a steady presence when things got tough.

Madia's friend and colleague, Clement Manyathela, remembered her fondly.
 
"In our friends circle, we called her Mantwa, which means fighter, because my girl was always ready for a fight. In fact, on her Twitter page she has this pinned tweet of this naughty but content little dog that is at peace and is sipping on a drink and the tag line is: 'Me at peace after I chose violence.' And Tshidi pinned that on her Twitter [page] and said 'Beke le beke' meaning 'I'm ready any day.'"
 
Manyathela said that Madia had a great love for her country.

"Some of you called her South Africa's head girl because she did represent and defend this country, both here and abroad. In fact, I remember when we were in Washington DC, when Trump dimmed the lights and was talking non-stop, I remember that Tshidi was shouting 'When are you giving our president a chance to respond?' We were shouting questions. Tshidi was busy saying 'When is Ramaphosa going to respond?' and that really tells you a story about Tshidi and the love that she has for this country."

EWN's Editor-in-Chief Nisa Allie described Madia as fearless.
 
"As a leader, she was fearless on every level and she was respected for that. I would smile when she sends an email in pink font but in recent weeks, Tshidi was motivating her pitches, using words like 'strategic objectives'. It was half taking the Mickey and half stepping into her ever-evolving power."
 
Allie says she was in awe of Madia.
 
"As if a news job, being on air hosting shows wasn't enough, Tshidi recently went back to studying, driven by her motivation to be better. It added yet another element to her life. I would often tell her, in recent months, that I was in awe of her and that future Tshidi would be so proud of all she had achieved."
 
Allie has this message for her friend and colleague.

"To my dearest friend, sister and ally, you and I have spent many an hour doing broadcast plans. This was never a plan I imagined doing. May your beautiful soul rest in peace."

PRESENCE AND PURPOSE

Friend and mentor, Mahlatse Mahlase: "The past weeks have been hard. Sometimes I close my eyes and I hear it. That bold, warm, unmistakable greeting: 'Hello everybody'. That was Tshidi. Whether she was on air, walking into a newsroom, she just didn't walk into rooms, she arrived. She arrived with presence, she arrived with purpose."

Mahlase has highlighted Madia's contagious laughter.

"And that laugh, the one that could disarm the president, paired with a curious mind that could get them to reveal everything with just one question. Her laugh didn't just fill a room, it wrapped around, me especially, like pure love."

EWN reporter, Alpha Ramushwana, said that Madia cared about young people.

"The guidance, the teachings, the fights... we fought all the time about my music taste, about religion, it was a big conversation in the office all the time, but the next moment we would be laughing all the time as if we didn't just have a massive argument. That's the type of person Tshidi was, definitely didn't hold grudges."

Ramushwana said that Tshidi was more than a manager; she was a person who cared for her team's well-being and wanted to see them flourish.

"In February this year, I was supposed to be working the first weekend of February but I was also supposed to be baptised at church and I said to Tshidi: 'Let me go to church, I should be done by 10.30 and I'll come to work after my baptism' and she said: 'No, no, no, go and get baptised. If you need me to come, I'll be there, there's no need for you to work. Take some time off on Monday and be thankful for this journey you're starting with Christ.'"