Another talented Free State journalist has passed away

Local News/ 19 October 2022, 08:45am/ Mpho Mokoena

The late Journalist Michael Tlhakudi: image supplied

By Mpho Mokoena: One of the seasoned Free State Journalist Michael Tlhakudi, has passed away.

According to the Free State Publishers and Editors Forum chairperson, Lebona Lekoenea, the Journalist passed on Monday 17th October 2022, due to undisclosed illness.

Tlhakudi, who was in his early 40s worked for different media houses, including now defunct The New Age, Africa News Agency Network (ANN7), and also worked as a freelance reporter for both Local and National newspapers.

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

“His 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 affect the citizens of this country. FSPEF mourns Tlhakudi’s passing with an 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 sorely be missed,” Lekoenea adds.

Seasoned Bloemfontein Journalist, Martin Makoni, who is among those who worked with Mike described him as quite passionate with his work whenever they discussed stories with interesting points, which made it a pleasure to interact with all the time.

In December 2021, Free State Insider reported that another seasoned Free State journalist, Thapelo Molebatsi, also passed on after a sudden illness.

Meanwhile funeral details of the late Journalist are as follows:

Memorial Service:

Date: Friday, 21 October 2022

Time: 14h00pm-16h00pm

Venue: National Museum Auditorium

Aliwal Street, Bloemfontein, Free State Province.

Inquiries: 0818103485

Funeral Service:

Date: Saturday, 22 October 2022

Time: 08h00am-10h00 the funeral will proceed to graveyard.

Venue: 19162 Singonzo Street Bophelong Bloemfontein, Free State Province.