KZN COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO XOLANI GWALA AT A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE SABC IN DURBAN

(XOLANI GWALA 1975 - 2019)

Colleagues and friends of journalist and broadcaster, Xolani Gwala, attended his memorial service in their numbers at the SABC M1 Auditorium in Durban this afternoon (Nov 7). Gwala, 44, passed away in Johannesburg in the early hours of Friday, Nov 1 (2019).

The Durban tribute to Gwala coincided with similar events in Johannesburg this week. His former colleagues in Durban, Nhlaknipho Zulu, Jabulani “Mjay” Sibisi, Alex Mthiyane, Ms Zandile Tembe, Judy Sandison, who represented SANEF; and friend Njabulo Miya; KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala; family member Simo Gwala; and Busani Mthembu, who represented the SABC, all paid glowing tributes to Gwala. They all described Gwala as an upright journalist who left behind a rich legacy of fairness, impartiality, and a no nonsense interviewer of politicians and others. They called on the younger journalists of today to follow in the footsteps of Gwala as not only a vibrant and determined journalist but as a humble human being. They all called on the people not to mourn his death but to celebrate his life as a journalist and human being. They said he made a major impact in the new democratic South Africa and he vociferously promoted all the principles of the new democratic order. One of SABC’s SAFM presenters, Bongi Gwala, also paid his rich tribute to Gwala when he moved the vote of thanks and gave details about the funeral ceremony that would be held at Gwala’s home village of Impendhle in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Saturday, Nov 9 (2019).

Colleagues and friends were asked to make donations in Gwala’s name to the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. The details are: Investment Bank Ltd; Account No: 100111311625; Branch Code 580105; Branch name: 100 Grayston Drive. Nedbank Bank Ltd; Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children; Account No: 1944183361; Branch Code: 194405; Branch Name: Parktown.