DR KGOŠI MAEPA | Tshidi Madia, you were a special, rare journalist

I met Tshidi 7 years ago, as the newly elected Chairperson of the ANC in Tshwane Region [2018] - we had a lot of media escapades as the regional leadership and Tshidi was in the thick of it as a journalist field reporter on Tshwane Council work for Eye Witness News.

At the outset let me say that Tshidi was a very intelligent journalist, articulate and informed. She did a lot of political research, very thorough and was deeply involved with the milieu of politics in South Africa.

I remember Tshidi's rigorous one-on-one long lunchtime interviews [@ Groenkloof Old Cafe 41], the laughing and pure joy we had. I remember Tshidi for how she protected her sources and her provocative questioning at times, how she insisted on getting answers relentlessly in search for the truth.

To say that Tshidi was one of the most informed journalist about the R12 Billion DA-led government in Tshwane [2018 - 2024] is to tell the truth. Tshidi walked the Tshwane House corridors [i.e. The municipal offices], she confronted the authorities and probed like a seasoned investigative political journalist she was.

Tshidi was just 42 years, but she leaves behind a journalism legacy and work ethic that will inspire generations to come and almost surpassed by a few. She was hugely impressive in her work, she spoke her truth to power in a way that very few people could do it. She spoke to Presidents, Ministers, Mayors with relative ease.

Not so long ago, Tshidi took an International platform on CNN and answered questions about the South African delegation that visited the White House to see President Donald Trump - her responses were just magnanimous, purely representative and outstanding. Tshidi was a patriot, a modern South African journalist in post-Apartheid era with an intention to report news ethically, fair and use the newsroom to improve the living conditions of our people - squalor and abject poverty.

At the funeral of Moses Mbheki Mabhida held in Maputo Mozambique - 29 March 1986, OR Tambo said:

"It is rarely given to a people that they should produce a single person who epitomises their hopes and expresses their common resolve as Moses Mabhida did. In simple language he could convey the aspirations of all our people in their magnificent variety, explain the fears and prejudices of the unorganised and sense the feelings of even the most humble among our people.

Moses Mabhida could do all this because he was of the people, a product of the stern university of mass struggle and the life experience of the exploited and downtrodden workers and peasants of our country."

It is befitting to use almost the same words of Isithwalandwe/Seaparankwe OR Tambo [i.e. The longest serving President General of the ANC in its history] on this occasion of Tshidi Madia's sudden demise and say that:

Tshidi Madia was a special journalist, she epitomised our people's hopes and expressed their common resolve as Moses Mabhida did. In simple language, Tshidi could convey the aspirations of all our people in their magnificent variety, explain the fears and prejudices of the unorganised and sense the feelings of even the most humble among our people in her reporting as a journalist.

It is also important to mention at this point, that Tshidi was an honest, ethical and forthright journalist who understood her trade of journalism. She did her work diligently and was always prepared to go an extra mile. After everything is said and done, Tshidi will be remembered for her kindness, the way she treated and loved people, her laughter and most of all, her genuine love for her journalist work.

In summary, Tshidi was a special and rare journalist, Editor and a great human being.

Hamba kahle Mbokoto Tshidi Madia, your actions, deeds and work will follow you!

Condolences to the Madia family and loved ones.

The struggle for a better life continues and victory is CERTAIN!

Matla ke a rona!