1 November 2019
The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveys heartfelt condolences to the family of Xolani Gwala, a much admired and respected broadcaster, who died today, Friday 1 November 2019, after a courageous fight with colon cancer. May his wife, Peggy Sue Khumalo, and his children be comforted.
The SACP also conveys condolences to Gwala’s colleagues at Radio 702, as well as the media fraternity and the people of South Africa.
Gwala inspired many people in his broadcasting abilities as well as his professional demeanour in conducting radio and TV interviews; tough and direct questions, yet courteous to all his interviewees, leading to informative journalism.
The SACP is also inspired by Gwala’s campaign for cancer awareness and early detection. The SACP in this regard calls for improved health care for all, particularly the working class, including the urgent necessity to implement the National Health Insurance.
The SACP further calls for reflections on the importance of free media, a key value of our democracy which Gwala, along with many other journalists, advocated for and defended. Deepened media freedom necessarily involves the breaking up of the overly-concentrated media ownership patterns. Diversification in media ownership recognises that diversity of ownership is not an end in itself, but a means to an end – the ultimate objective being to ensure that all South Africans are armed with the necessary information and have access to the contesting options they require to make informed choices, through provision of a diversity of perspectives.
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY | SACP
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