The South African media landscape was shaken on August 31st, as news broke that beloved radio broadcaster Thabiso Sikwane had passed away just hours before her long-awaited 50th birthday celebration. Known for her iconic voice on stations like Voice of Soweto, SAFM, PowerFM, and Kaya FM, Thabiso’s sudden death has left a void in the hearts of many.
Thabiso Sikwane, a seasoned broadcaster with a career spanning decades, had turned 50 on July 3rd. However, due to her commitment to a missionary trip, she postponed her birthday festivities to a later date, opting to spend her milestone birthday in service to the Lord. Her family had been looking forward to celebrating her life on August 31st, a day that was meant to be filled with joy, laughter, and fond memories.
The day, however, took a devastating turn when Thabiso fell ill on August 28th, just three days before the scheduled party. She was admitted to the hospital, where her condition rapidly deteriorated. In the early hours of Saturday morning, Thabiso transitioned to glory, leaving her loved ones in shock and mourning.
Speaking to SMag, family spokesperson Thami Ngubeni shared the sorrowful details. “It was a belated birthday celebration scheduled yesterday [Saturday] in Johannesburg. Thabiso turned 50 on July 3. She was on a missionary trip and she decided to celebrate her birthday in the service of the Lord,” Ngubeni said. “She only managed to schedule her 50th on August 31 to celebrate it with everyone.”
Thabiso Sikwane was more than just a voice on the radio; she was a beloved mother, friend, and mentor to many. She was previously married to renowned radio broadcaster Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane, with whom she shared 20 years of marriage. Together, they had three children, who now face the difficult journey of navigating life without their mother.
DJ Fresh took to social media to share his grief, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding her passing. “We did lose Thabiso this morning around 6:30 am. We are told it could have been a cardiac event, but [what] could have caused it hasn’t been ascertained, so we await a postmortem. We will give everyone clarity because it doesn’t make sense to anyone. We will keep you updated on memorial and all of that,” he wrote.
Despite the unimaginable loss, DJ Fresh expressed that he was “in two minds” about whether to continue with his scheduled bookings. However, he knows that Thabiso would have wanted him to keep going, to keep doing what he loves. “She would have wanted me to keep working,” he added.
