South Africans gather to celebrate legacy of Tshidi Madia
The life of renowned political journalist and broadcaster Tshidi Madia will be celebrated this week, with a memorial service due to take place on Tuesday and her funeral on Thursday.
Madia passed away on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, just days after celebrating her 42nd birthday.
She died following a short illness.
Her memorial will take place at the offices of her employer, Primedia, in Sandton on Tuesday.
She will be laid to rest at San Salvador Catholic Church in Germiston on Thursday morning.
The family encouraged mourners to wear bold and colourful attire honouring Madia’s vibrant personality and love for colour.
Madia, who was the associate politics editor at Eyewitness News, is being remembered as one of South Africa’s finest journalists, respected across the political spectrum for her professionalism, integrity, and fearless pursuit of the truth.
The African National Congress described her as a patriot whose legacy will endure.
"Tshidi was an important person to South Africa as a journalist. We believe she conducted herself with integrity. As South Africans from all walks of life, we’ve converged with one message around Tshidi: she was a patriot,” said ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula during a visit to her family home on Monday.
He urged her family to take pride in the nation’s outpouring of love.
"We told the family they should be proud to see how South Africans have reacted to the passing of Tshidi.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa also paid tribute, reflecting on her role in strengthening democracy.
"Tshidi loved our country, and this was the backdrop to her tough questions and hopeful vision of a South Africa that can and should be better. We shall continue to work for Tshidi’s South Africa with her now silent pen and voice in our memories and hearts,” he said.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile described her as a beloved figure in the media fraternity.
"Tshidi was one of the media’s most respected and well-loved members. If Samkele Maseko was known as the Lord of the Media, Tshidi Madia was most certainly the Darling of the Media.”
Her colleagues at Eyewitness News called her a powerhouse who combined sharp political insight with compassion and fairness.
They praised her ability to hold politicians accountable while engaging them with respect.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi echoed these sentiments, hailing her as a journalist who enriched the country’s democratic discourse.
"Her fearless pursuit of accountability was invaluable. Her passing is a devastating loss to the media fraternity, our democracy, and all South Africans who relied on her sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth.”
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