Phindile Xaba, 53, died on Saturday after losing her battle with cancer at her home in Diepkloof, Soweto. She was a renowned journalist and former Sowetan Women Editor.
KAMPALA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Journalist and former publisher of Sowetan Women, Phindile Xaba died on Saturday. A South African icon, Xaba, 53, lost her battle with cancer at home in Diepkloof, Soweto.
- The celebrated South African journalist and former Sowetan Women Editor Phindile Xaba has passed away. She lost her battle with cancer at her home in Diepkloof, Soweto, on Saturday.
- Known as ‘Maphindi’ in the industry, journalist Phindile Xaba was a long-time and distinguished journalist.
- At 17, Xaba began her career in print media. After graduating from Wits University, she moved on to the TV industry, where she worked as a television production manager, scriptwriter, publicist, producer/director, language advisor/trainer, and researcher; some of her work has been showcased on SABC and M-Net.
- Her previous work experience includes running the Sowetan Women’s Club at Sowetan and editing REAL Magazine at Media24 where she created a platform to promote women.
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Mpho Mothapo, her family spokesperson, says: “Her family is devastated by her passing yet is comforted by the outpouring of messages of support from her friends and industry colleagues”.
Mpho Mothapo, a spokesperson for her family, said: “Her family is devastated by her passing yet is comforted by the outpouring of messages of support from her friends and industry colleagues”.
The details of Xaba’s funeral will be revealed in due course, Mothapo added.
The eminent journalist Phindile Xaba, known in the industry as ‘Maphindi,‘ was a formidable figure in her field.
Having begun her career in print media at 17 years of age, the Wits University alumna, moved on to explore the world of television, where she worked as a television production manager, a scriptwriter, a publicist, a producer/director, a language advisor/trainer and a researcher, with some of her work being featured on SABC and M-Net.
Her stints with Sowetan and Media24 saw her creating platforms to celebrate women when she ran the Sowetan Women’s Club and the REAL Magazine, respectively.
In addition to her work at the Mail & Guardian as editor of The Teacher, Xaba has contributed to True Love, City Press, St. Petersburg Times (USA), The Journalist, and The New Age, among others.
Phindile Xaba you fought a good fight, sad that cancer won. It has been a pleasure working with u these past 6 years. I am grateful for nominating me for the Sunday World Heroic Women. It spoke volumes of your confidence in me. Rest easy now. My heart is broken 💔 #RIPPhindiXaba pic.twitter.com/uMXNCs9bzu
— MoneyThulz (@ThuliMagubane) May 8, 2022
Devastated to hear of #PhindileXaba passing. A beautiful woman of many talents, an accomplished #media professional with a gorgeous smile & respect for everyone she encountered. It was a pleasure knowing you, Phindile. We never got to talk about your next degree 💔 pic.twitter.com/3f4GMdV8RS
— Dinesh Balliah (@DineshBalliah) May 8, 2022
In the office of deputy minister of public service and administration Chana Pilane-Majake, Phindile Xaba was in charge of communications at the time of her death.
