Friends and relatives of radio personality Thabiso Sikwane, who died yesterday, said she was set to celebrate her 50th birthday at an exclusive venue known only to invited guests on the day of her passing.
But the country reeled from shock yesterday when her family announced she had died.
The invite sent to friends is titled Baby Girl Thabiso Celebration, 50, and carries a passage from Psalm 118:1 saying, “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.”
Sikwane was previously married to another legendary radio personality, Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane, and had four children.
She worked for various top radio stations in the country such as YFM, Kaya, SA FM as well as Power FM.
In another tragic development, the family of well-known praise poet Jessica Mbangeni announced her untimely death.
The demise of the two celebrated South Africans has been met with shock by industry
colleagues. Political parties, including the EFF, also sent their condolences. Rise Mzansi sent its condolences to the families of Sikwane and Mbangeni.
TV star Andile Gaelesiwe said she was deeply saddened.
“May their souls rest in peace and strength to the families.”
Businesswoman Uyanda Mbuli said she was saddened by the passing of the two
phenomenal women.
“I admired and respected both women. Thabiso and Jessica were forces to be reckoned with and their resilience and spirited passion about their crafts proved to many South Africans that anything was possible where passion met talent. I send condolences to their families and loved ones, and may the great Lord strengthen them in these trying times. May their souls rest in peace,” said Mbuli.
Socialite and dancer Amstel “Diva” Makwane said, “as we say goodbye to Mbangeni and Sikwane, it is with heavy hearts, yet with immense gratitude for the gifts they shared with
the country”.
“Their beautiful and colourful personalities as well as strong sense of culture proved that they loved the people of this country and believed in the success of rainbow nation. Their spirits will continue to inspire us and their legacies will continue to live on,” said Makwane.
Cosatu president Zingisa Losi described Mbangeni as a giant that was larger than life.
“When I first met her, it was like old souls reconnecting. Jessica had a way of connecting with a person beyond a physical, she tapped into your soul.
“She was a cultivator of a warrior in you. She was a gift to an African child, a spiritual healer and a teacher. May your journey to the ancestors be peaceful, and may your soul find eternal rest.”
Kaya FM music show host Nicky Blumenfeld said she was “devastated to hear of the
passing of such a beautiful woman. Condolences to DJ Fresh and family”.
Sikwane’s former colleague at YFM and now a presenter at Power FM AK “Mgaga” Tshabalala said: “I’m just taken by a huge surprise. I’m thinking about her family, especially her sister, DJ fresh and their offspring . What an intelligent broadcaster, silahlekelwe.”
