Tributes continue to pour in after the untimely death of much-loved Ukhozi FM presenter Bongani Mavuso, who passed away at Umhlanga Hospital, north of Durban on Tuesday.
The senior producer and presenter of Ukhozi FM’s Ezangempelasonto and Abasiki Bebunda fell ill and was admitted to the hospital on Monday.
The shock of the presenter’s passing was more telling because he had been on air at the weekend.
Mavuso died two days before his 46th birthday.
Two years ago Mavuso was hospitalised after suffering from a kidney ailment.
SowetanLive quotes the deceased’s brother, Majuba Mavuso, as saying: “Bongani was rushed to hospital … but we did not think it will be serious.
“His death has come as a shock to us as the family.”
Mavuso, who was from eDumbe, is survived by his brother, Majuba, and his mom.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) offered “its sincere condolences” and paid tribute to the award-winning journalist, poet and creative artist.
“He will be remembered for his passion for preserving and uplifting the isiZulu language – as a writer, author, poet, and mentor to up-and-coming writers,” said the IFP
“He was known as a fountain of knowledge, and wisdom. As a journalist, he had a sharp mind, and was highly respected by his peers for his professionalism and sociable nature.”
The African National Congress (ANC) said: “This is a man who has been an invaluable asset not only to the people of KwaZulu-Natal but to the whole country and Africans in the Diaspora.”
The ANC added: “What saddens us most is that his departure is a depletion of a solid and clear pool of journalists available to the nation”.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said: “Mavuso’s love for African culture & heritage is heartening. It is with sadness that we send him off before he experienced the return of our land which is the crux of our heritage & culture.”
The National Freedom Party (NFP) secretary-general, Canaan Mdletshe, a former journalist, hailed Mavuso as an “ethical journalist to the very end”.
REMEMBERED FONDLY: UKhozi FM Presenter Bongani Mavuso
