South Africa Mourns the Loss of Renowned Journalist Tshidi Madia
Natalie Nyathi
South Africa’s media landscape is in mourning following the death of Tshidi Madia, the esteemed Associate Editor for Politics at Eyewitness News (EWN). Madia passed away in hospital on Wednesday morning, August 27, 2025, at the age of 42, after a short illness. The Madia family confirmed her passing, stating that she loved South Africa deeply and devoted her career to telling its stories. They added that she brought joy and love to all who knew her, and her memory will forever remain in the hearts of her family and friends. Funeral details will be shared in due course.
Tshidi Madia was a leading voice in South African political journalism, known for her insightful analysis, in-depth interviews, and commitment to objective reporting. Colleagues and fellow journalists have described her as a powerhouse, a jewel in EWN’s crown, and a consummate professional who worked tirelessly in pursuit of the truth.
Madia’s career began at Primedia Broadcasting as an assistant at EWN’s traffic desk. She quickly rose through the ranks, joining Power FM as a reporter and presenter before moving to News24, where she played a pivotal role in the outlet’s political reporting. She returned to EWN as a senior political reporter and was later promoted to Associate Editor: Politics, leading a team of political journalists and mentoring new reporters. EWN Editor-in-Chief Nisa Allie highlighted Madia’s role as a mentor, stating that she led by example, mentoring and training many young political journalists. Allie added that Madia formed a formidable politics team, which she was so proud of, delivering one exclusive after the next with absolute humility and professionalism.
Throughout her career, Tshidi Madia achieved several significant milestones. She hosted the popular podcast “Politricking with Tshidi Madia,” where she engaged with leading political figures from across South Africa. Madia was the only reporter to secure a one-on-one interview with President Cyril Ramaphosa before the 2024 elections. Her tenacious pursuit of an interview with former President Jacob Zuma at his Nkandla homestead demonstrated her relentless approach to journalism. In May 2025, Madia reported from the Oval Office at the White House, covering the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa. She was also lauded for standing up to an American journalist on the spread of fake news about the purported genocide against white Afrikaners.
The news of Madia’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, politicians, and the public. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi described Madia as not only a journalist of exceptional calibre but also a voice of reason and fairness. He added that her fearless pursuit of accountability enriched the country’s democratic discourse. Primedia Broadcasting’s Chief Content Officer, Mzo Jojwana, said that Tshidi made sense of and guided the public through the South African political narrative. He noted that she was known for her ability to engage with politicians across the political spectrum, asking tough questions while maintaining a professional and respectful approach. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba remarked that although Madia’s life was short, it was deeply impactful and meaningful.
Tshidi Madia’s passing is a significant loss to South African journalism and the broader community. Her dedication to truth, her mentorship of young journalists, and her insightful analysis will be deeply missed.
