Renowned Radio Presenter broadcaster described as a gifted communicator
NJHAKANJHAKA: The Xitsonga-speaking community, media fraternity, friends and family gathered at Njhakanjhaka Village outside Giyani to bid farewell to veteran Munghana Lonene FM presenter and producer Tiveka Foster “Mafosi – Try by Force” Chauke on Saturday.
Chauke, 49, died last week following a collision on the N1 near Bandelierkop, leaving his wife, four children, colleagues and thousands of listeners mourning the loss of a familiar voice on the airwaves.
The funeral was held at the Calvary Revival Centre in Njhakanjhaka, Bungeni, where mourners gathered and paid their final respects to the broadcaster who dedicated much of his career to Xitsonga language, music and culture.
Mafosi was well known to listeners through Munghana Lonene FM’s “Timintsu Ta Xitsonga”.
Before joining the SABC station, he worked at Giyani Community Radio and Vision FM, building a career that earned him a loyal following across the Xitsonga-speaking community.
His death has also drawn tributes from political and community organisations.
The Afrika Mayibuye Movement described Chauke as a vibrant broadcaster who played an important role in promoting Xitsonga culture, while its national spokesperson, Sydney Baloyi, a former colleague of Mafosi, remembered him as a warm and joyful person.
The broadcaster’s influence extended beyond the radio studio. Friends, businesspeople, professionals, community leaders and public figures rallied behind his family, with a fundraising campaign reaching R82,900 before his funeral. Among those who contributed were Vhembe District Municipality Executive Mayor Miyelani “Ma Banana” Chauke and businessman Howard Mashaba, who each donated R10,000.
The Executive Mayor described him as a gifted communicator and a great human being who touched the lives of many through his work and unique ability to connect to people.
The funeral comes after a memorial service hosted by Munghana Lonene FM in Polokwane on Friday, where former colleagues, friends and family gathered to celebrate his life and contribution to broadcasting.
As mourners gathered for his final journey, Chauke was remembered not only as a radio personality, but also as a passionate advocate of Xitsonga culture whose voice connected communities through music, language and storytelling.
