Marawa leaves Brazil to pay tribute to Eddie Zondi

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

Eddie Zondi leaves behind his wife
 Phakamile.(Sthembiso Sithole)

Metro FM sport presenter Robert Marawa has cut short his Brazil soccer World Cup trip to pay tribute to radio personality Eddie Zondi.

The 083 Sports@6 presenter Robert Marawa says Zondi was not just a colleague but also a friend. "I only got here this morning from Brazil. I was on World Cup duty and when you hear news like this, any form of duty comes to an end. The only duty you have is to support the family," says Marawa who also works for SuperSport.

Zondi passed away on Monday morning on the way to hospital after complaining of chest pains.

On Thursday, SABC and Metro FM held a special memorial service for Zondi who presented the Romantic Repertoire on Sundays between 3 and 6pm. The service attended by members of the public took place at Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg.

Speaker after speaker paid homage to Zondi. Metro FM presenter Wilson B Nkosi described the radio icon as someone who had a big heart.

Programme director at the memorial, Nothemba Madumo, said Zondi should be remembered for the person he was "and how he touched every one of us. Because everyone has a different experience with Eddie."

She added, "He spread a lot of love, compassion and caring."

His daughters Khanyisile, Zetheme and Siphesihle shared memories that they had with their father. Siphesihle described his father as a caring dad who always made time for his family.

Makhosonke as he was affectionately known leaves behind his wife Phakamile.

The 47-year-old radio DJ will be buried at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg. His funeral service will be held at University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus.

Click here to watch live Twitter updates from the memorial serive.

Click here to watch photos from memorial service: (PhotoSnack)

Metro FM dedicated an hour on air to pay tribute to Zondi who passed away on Monday morning.  Metro FM's Amon Mokoena and Siphokazi January took the calls from listeners who paid tribute to the renowned radio personality.

Listeners were given a chance to share their memories on the show.

Click below to listen to the full show:

http://iono.fm/e/87651

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

M&G to meet ANC leadership over 'unfair' reporting accusations

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Mail and Guardian editor, Angela Quintal
accepting ANCYL memorundum in Rosebank.(Sthembiso Sithole)

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has every right to express their views, that’s according to Mail and Guardian editor, Angela Quintal.

Her comment follows a march organized by the youth league to the M&G's office in Johannesburg, over the papers coverage of the May 7 elections. According to the ANCYL, the M&G was biased against the ANC in its reporting during the elections.

The league says: "The Mail&Guardian is one of media houses which have become willing propagandist of a counter-revolution against the ANC in support of the opposition instead of fair, objective, balanced and accurate reporting."

Speaking exclusively to SABC Digital News, Quintal says they will meet next week with the ANC leadership to discuss concerns that the party has regarding the newspaper’s election coverage.

"We are in a democratic country. We will engage with the leadership. We are looking forward to meeting them and we will have a robust debate," says Quintal.

During the march, close to 200 ANCYL supporters and Congress of the South African Student (Cosas) members sang anti-M&G songs outside the newspapers offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Some of the protestors were pupils from different schools in Gauteng. A learner from the Bona-Lesedi High school in Mamelodi, Thabang Mahlomuza, says he was told to join march.

Mahlomuza says "he has never read M&G, but knows that it's biased." He added, "The paper is not fair. We are here to defend our president. Tomorrow I am writing English paper 1, I told myself that I need to be here."

Cosas Provincial Secretary, Khulekani Skosana says the M&G must print the truth about President Jacob Zuma. He says if they don't they will deal with the paper's management.

ANCYL convener, Alex Mashilo shares the same sentiments with Mahlomuza. He says they demand fair reporting from the paper. He has also accused the paper of endorsing the Democratic Alliance during the elections.

The M&G says it will study the memorandum and will give feedback to the party's leadership during their meeting with them.

Click here to watch photos of the march: (PhotoSnack)

For live tweet updates from the march, click here

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.