Khulu Phasiwe, a prominent figure in corporate communications in South Africa and the former national spokesperson for Eskom, died at 52.
Family sources confirmed that Phasiwe passed away due to a medical emergency.
Relatives disclosed that he had been facing health issues related to seizures for several years before he ultimately succumbed.
Phasiwe was held in high regard within the media and communications industry in South Africa, boasting a career that spanned over twenty years.
He began his career as a financial journalist, contributing to well-known publications such as Business Day and Business Report before moving into corporate public relations.
He became widely recognized in South Africa during his decade-long service with the government-owned Eskom, where he acted as the national spokesperson from 2015 until stepping down in 2019.
Throughout this demanding period, Phasiwe represented Eskom to the public, managing communications during significant national load shedding events, organizational crises, and considerable public examination.
He once characterized the relentless demands of the position as “tantamount to being in a war zone” due to the ongoing challenges.
After leaving Eskom, Phasiwe applied his skills to various notable public institutions.
He oversaw communications for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, briefly served as the spokesperson for the Office of the Public Protector, and recently led corporate affairs and communications for Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).
Tributes have begun to emerge from peers, journalists, and media organizations.
The African Media & Communication Forum (AMCF) expressed its sincere condolences to his family, recognizing Phasiwe’s significant professional contributions to the media landscape in Africa.
Funeral and memorial service details will be shared by the family in the coming days.
