Sanef is saddened by the passing of former Sunday Sun editor, Prince Chauke
13 January 2025
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) mourns the untimely passing of former journalist and editor, Prince Chauke (47).
After a short illness, Chauke passed away on Saturday in his flat in Cape Town. Chauke worked for the now-defunct Sunday Sun, owned by Media24, for more than ten years until the newspaper closed its doors.
He was known for his infectious energy, laugh, and passion for covering celebrity news, which was what the Sunday Sun used to focus on.
Nahima Ahmed, a former colleague at Media24, said: “Prince was known as Malome to some and Papa Bear to others, but to me, he was always Comrade. We were a solid team on our news desks, collaborating and sharing stories. As news editors at Sunday Sun and Daily Sun, we thrived on breaking exclusives, mentoring our teams, and winning awards—from Legends Awards to Standard Bank Sikuvile Awards and in-house accolades.
“Even after leaving the media industry, our bond remained strong. We spoke often, sometimes just to catch up.”
The Legends Awards are run internally by Media24 to recognise its staff members.
“Our last conversation now feels like a farewell. That day, he reminded me, “Comrade, we are multiple Legends winners. We achieved a lot and gained recognition. Five years in a row, we took home Legends in Cape Town, and every year, our teams won the Sikuvile Awards. We must never forget that. Push that company of yours and make enough money. His words were exactly what I needed to hear in the new year. Prince’s passing was a shock. I will miss my comrade — his loud voice, his laughter, his presence. Rest in peace, Comrade Prince,” said Ahmed.
Lerato Matsoso, a former colleague at Sunday Sun, said: “Prince or Papa Bear as I affectionately called him in the newsroom was both the cure and the cause.
He would deliver the biggest “good morning” when he walked speeding into the Sunday Sun offices but deliver the biggest “stress” when he wanted his diary. I walked into the Daily Sun and Sunday Sun offices fresh from tertiary as an intern, became a freelancer for about a year and he offered me a permanent contract at Sunday Sun. At 24 years old, both Prince and then editor-in-chief, Reggy Moalusi, believed so much in me they appointed me the Daily and Sunday Sun’s entertainment editor.
“A role that shaped and gave birth to the name Lerato Matsoso in the entertainment business. He shaped the celebrity news culture in SA and was a good leader. Not just my former boss but my mentor and a big brother who even when we both left the newspaper industry still held my hand.
I have so many memories but the biggest is that he was an amazing, yet peculiar person. A lover of life and music. Rest in peace Papa Bear.”
Ngwako Malatji, the acting editor of Sunday World, said: “Chauke and I met in 2005 when he was a freelance journalist for Sowetan. Our professional relationship blossomed into a friendship and brotherhood when he moved into my house in Joburg when he joined Sunday Sun a few years later. While living in my house, he forged a close relationship with my daughter who called him “Uncle Prince”.
“Chauke and I spoke about everything under the sun, from politics, sports, and music to challenges facing our industry. We continued to do so even after he moved to his new pad in Joburg north.
“The last time I spoke to him was when he informed me about the death of legendary kwaito star, Doc Shebeleza. When I heard of his untimely death, I was so devastated, and heartbroken. In him, my family and I have lost an uncle, a brother, and a caring friend. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Dr. Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415
Makhudu Sefara – Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Sisanda Nkoala – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za
