Katsande, a 2020 Vodacom Journalist of the Year regional award winner, in the breaking news category, died on 11 March at a hospital in Pretoria, Gauteng, from heart complications. 

According to the public broadcaster, the 48-year-old hosted reggae and current affairs shows at Lesedi FM in addition to his many other talents.

Also Read: Friends and family say goodbye to SABC video journalist

Katsande’s death has come as a shock to the Free State media fraternity, with his colleagues at the public broadcaster expressing the significance of his mentorship and guidance. 

Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, echoed this sentiment during a memorial service honouring the journalist and broadcaster held at Rose Hall in Mangaung on Thursday. She said that the media fraternity in the province is poorer without Katsande, who was affectionately known as ‘Moruti’ amongst his peers.  

“There’s an iconic picture of Thabo, on top of their outside broadcast van, with his camera set up. I particularly love that photo for it demonstrates that Thabo would indeed go to extremes to get the job done. 

"In an era where there are people who do not value their jobs and a sense of entitlement has consumed them, Thabo’s work ethic was admirable. Through his work, Thabo helped us to tell our story. The Free State story. He captured the minds of the people with the way he told our stories, the good and the bad. The beautiful and the not so beautiful. Thabo told it all, without fear or favour,” said Ntombela.

OFM News