Tshidi Madia Biography: Life and Death of the South African Journalist
Matshidiso Tshidi Madia (August 23, 1983 – August 27, 2025) was a South African political journalist who worked as the Associate Editor for Politics at Eyewitness News (EWN). She was well regarded in political and media circles for her sharp analysis, mentorship, and commitment to journalistic honesty.
Tshidi Madia Education
Tshidi Madia graduated from the University of Johannesburg in 2008 with a degree in Communications, specialising in journalism and politics.
Career
Madia began her journalism career at Primedia Broadcasting, working as an assistant on the Eyewitness News (EWN) traffic desk. Her early positions paved the way for a renowned career characterised by diversity and swift ascent.
Madia was a member of the first crew at Power FM (later Power 98.7), where she refined her abilities as a reporter and presenter, influencing the station’s early political coverage. She went on to become a senior political correspondent at News24.
Her editorial vision and embracing of new formats, particularly political podcasting, garnered her acclaim for changing the way politics was covered on digital platforms. Madia returned to the Primedia family in 2022, this time as EWN’s Associate Editor for Politics.
Her accession was largely regarded as a substantial boost to the outlet’s political coverage, cementing its reputation for credibility and intelligence. As Associate Editor, Madia established a political reporting team, mentored young journalists, and delivered exclusive stories with humility and professionalism. Nisa Allie, EWN’s Editor-in-Chief, praised her as the “jewel in EWN’s crown.”
One of Madia’s most significant achievements was her weekly podcast, Politricking with Tshidi Madia, which became a popular forum for political discourse in South Africa. Through this medium, she conducted high-profile interviews with major political figures, including Julius Malema, Helen Zille, and Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, providing audiences with nuanced insights into national politics and government.
Madia is the only journalist to have conducted a one-on-one interview with President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the 2024 general elections. She famously sought an exclusive interview with former President Jacob Zuma at his Nkandla home.
Madia reported from the Oval Office in 2025, when Presidents Donald Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa met. Notably, she fought misleading narratives, like accusations of “white genocide” in South Africa, while abroad, displaying her devotion to truth on a global scale.
Tshidi Madia Death
Madia died on August 27, 2025, at the age of 42, after a brief illness and hospitalisation. Her family released a statement confirming the news, characterising her as “a respected journalist” who “loved South Africa deeply and devoted her career to telling its stories.
Social Media
X: @tshidi_lee