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Former Ligwalagwala FM presenter DF Simelane laid to rest

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The former South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on-air presenter at Ligwalagwala FM current affairs “Letiphuma Embiteni” Daniel Frans “DF” Simelane has been laid to rest at Ka-Msogwaba in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

Simelane died earlier this week from COVID-19 related complications at the age of aged 64. He joined the SABC in 1982.

Family members, friends, former colleagues, and supporters gathered to pay their last respects to Simelane affectionately known as “DF”.

Simelane has been described by his former colleagues as a person who was down to earth, quiet, and always willing to offer assistance. He was amongst the six employees of the then Radio Swazi when it was established in April 1982.

One of his children Hlengiwe Simelane says their father was a loving person. “To say we love our father would be an understatement, to say we miss him so much would even be a greater statement.  My father was a man of few words but when he opened up to make a comment it was usually something profound. Our father was an observer, we are forever grateful for him, his calm, his level-headed presence. He raised us with his strong confidence so that we behave ourselves, we will miss him.”

Simelane took early retirement from the public broadcaster in 2010 after serving for almost three decades. He decided to venture into the transport business. Former colleague and friend Elias Dladla says Simelane was a professional person and humble.

“He was one of those guys who never went to the studio if his translation was not up to standard.  In most cases, if he had something that worried him, he would go straight to the relevant person to seek information, so in other words, he was exemplary. He lived by his example. He was multi-talented,  a sports presenter, he would also present reggae music, that’s why we called rasta.”

The Ligwalagwala FM Current Affairs Executive Producer Muzi Nkosi says Simelane played an important role in developing the Siswati language.

“He was one of the rare species who speaks Siswati properly from the radio.”

Meanwhile, SABC Mpumalanga Editor Vusi Twala says Simelane has run his race. Many have learnt from his experience in the field of radio broadcasting.

“He had the ability to mentor and groom young talent without having seen it as a challenge. He was very passionate, we have learnt but I don’t think we have managed to grasp everything in relation to the skills that he possessed as a broadcaster .”

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