Veteran Bloem journo passes on

By Staff Reporter

One of Central South Africa’s seasoned journalists has passed on. The Free State Publishers and Editors Forum chairperson, Lebona Lekoenea, broke the news on Monday 17 October 2022 about the passing of Michael Tlhakudi, who was in his early 40s.

Tlhakudi worked for different media publications, including the former Africa News Agency Network (ANN7), and also did freelance reporting for OFM News, among others. 

Lekoenea described Tlhakudi, who was affectionately known as Mike, as a talented journalist, media practitioner and communicator par excellence who played a positive role in ensuring that the media, journalism, in particular, received attention from the government, communities and all news-making stakeholders in the province and the entire country.

In December 2021, another seasoned Bloemfontein journalist, Thapelo Molebatsi, also passed on after a sudden illness.
“His Tlhakudi’s passing is a great loss to the media fraternity in the Free State. We wish the family strength in this difficult time. As a journalist, Mike travelled across the length and breadth of South Africa, covering good and bad stories that affected the citizens of this country.

“FSPEF mourns Tlhakudi’s passing with the understanding that the Free State and South African Media fraternity has not only lost a humble man but lost an agent of progress, especially someone who always sought cooperation among stakeholders. We convey our deepest condolences to Tlhakudi’s family, FSPEF members and the entire journalism fraternity. Indeed, death has robbed us of a noble and honest man who will be sorely missed,” Lekoenea added.

Meanwhile, another seasoned Bloemfontein journalist, Martin Makoni, who is among those who had working relations with the deceased, said he found Tlhakudi quite passionate with his work whenever they discussed stories with interesting points, which made it a pleasure to interact with.

“His passing is a great loss to the media fraternity in the Free State. We wish the family strength in this difficult time,” Makoni added.

In January 2022, the feature writer at City Press, Poloko Tau, also passed on while at his home in Mmabatho in Mahikeng.