Panafrican News Agency

Popular South African broadcaster dies at 44

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Tributes are flooding in for veteran South African broadcaster Xolani Gwala has succumbed to colon cancer in the early hours of Friday.

He was 44. The popular personality announced that he was ill in 2017. 

He was revered as a reporter, news anchor, producer, talk show host and news editor on radio and television.

His wife, Peggy Sue Khumalo, said “our dearest XG, father, friend, broadcasting icon and campaigner for cancer awareness tragically lost his brave battle against this veracious decease”.

"His medical team has been amazing, and we have enormous admiration for the work they are doing in advancing cancer treatment. While the miracle did not materialise, these last few months have been precious and we are eternally grateful that Xolani has been able to spend them with us as a family this journey has made our family much stronger and has brought us together,” she said.

The South African government issued a statement saying: “We send our condolences to the friends and family of the seasoned broadcaster Xolani Gwala whose work ethic and command earned him respect in the industry. We will surely miss him on the radio waves”.

Fellow broadcaster Stephen Grootes said Gwala had the ability to hold political leadership to account while also showing respect.

Former colleague Eusebius McKaiser said, “we knew that the news was coming, but one can never be prepared for the unreality of that which was inevitable”. 

“When I think of Xolani, I think not of his broadcasting excellence… but his infectious laugh and his affable smile, and he is a gentleman,” he said.

–0– PANA CU/AR 1Nov2019