Tshidi Madia, the highly respected Associate Editor for Politics at Eyewitness News (EWN), has sadly passed away following a brief illness. The news of her death on Wednesday morning has sent shockwaves through the South African journalism community, as many remember Madia not just for her exceptional work, but also for her indomitable spirit and dedication to the craft of reporting.
In a heartfelt statement released by EWN, Editor-in-Chief Nisa Allie reflected on Madia’s remarkable contributions to the field, referring to her as “the jewel in EWN’s crown,” and praising her for raising the bar in political reporting across the nation. Madia was known for her fierce commitment to delivering accurate and insightful news, ensuring that her audience was always well-informed about the complex political landscape of South Africa.
Her career was marked by several notable achievements, including a groundbreaking report from the Oval Office in Washington in May, where she covered a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump. This significant moment underlined her tenacity as a journalist willing to go the extra mile in pursuit of the truth.
Perhaps one of the highlights of her illustrious career was securing a one-on-one interview with President Ramaphosa ahead of the 2024 elections—an accomplishment that showcased her ability to engage with high-profile figures while offering her audience exclusive insights. Her colleagues have expressed profound sadness at her passing and have described her as a voice that will be deeply missed by those who followed her work.
Madia’s contributions extended far beyond her reporting. She was a familiar presence to listeners, viewers, and readers who admired her tenacity, knowledge, and fearless approach to political journalism.