The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is saddened to learn of the passing of veteran journalist Thandanani Dlamini.
Dlamini, 60, died on Sunday 15 January, at her home following a short illness. She was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in October last year.
Affectionately known as TDK amongst family, friends, and peers, she dedicated her youth to fighting for democracy having joined the ANC at the age of 19. On her return from exile, she briefly worked for the United Nations before joining the SABC as a journalist. She spent most of her adult life working as a radio journalist in both commercial and public media. More recently she joined the University of Eswatini sticking with her passion and teaching in the field of journalism.
Dlamini was a member of Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the ANC, and lived in Tanzania, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where she furthered her studies while continuing to serve her country and fight for democracy.
She was part of the pioneering team that successfully launched YFM in 1997 – the country’s first black urban youth radio station and read its inaugural news bulletin – a moment she reflected on often with a deep sense of pride and achievement. As the news editor of YFM, she worked tirelessly to ensure that the commercial platform reflected honestly and authentically on the realities facing young people. Today YFM remains a success story, etched in the DNA of radio in the country.
“She was principled and unflinching in her quest to protect the critical voices that she insisted were necessary for a new democratic South Africa. For that she often walked into many fires but remained unrepentant,” Dirk Hartford former YFM CEO said.
Dlamini later returned to the SABC serving as a senior producer and later executive producer of SAFM’s news current affairs programmes. She was proud to work at the national broadcaster at a time when the SABC pioneered dynamic and leading news and current affairs.
Former colleague Thoraya Pandy who worked with her during both stints at the SABC remembers Thandanani as a critical thinker who looked beyond the obvious angles, challenged authority when appropriate, and gave a voice to ordinary people. “She had an astonishing way of finding newsmakers from a small town in Sierra Leone to a spokesperson for the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. She simply wouldn’t give up and always got her story,” she recalls.
While at the University of Eswatini, she founded the campus radio station in 2021 that navigated the tumultuous unrest in that country.
“She loved working with young people, showing us the ropes, teaching the basics of journalism but importantly she taught us about respect for ourselves, our work, and our colleagues. The radio station and teaching us brought her so much joy,” Nonjabulo Mabunda a student at the university said.
She is survived by her son Pilani, grandchild Zweli, and siblings.
TDK will be buried on Saturday, 21 January, in Nsigweni, Ethulani in Swaziland. The service will commence at 5am.
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 through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information please contact:
Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 229-9708
Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za