DJ Fresh is struggling to come to terms with the death of his ex-wife, Thabiso Sikwane.
The popular radio and TV personality died on Saturday, August 31, just weeks after celebrating her milestone 50th birthday.
According to online reports, Sikwane spent her birthday on a missionary trip, but had planned to host an elaborate celebration with her family and friends on the same day she passed away.
Fresh, who was married to Sikwane for 20 years before she filed for divorce in 2022, took to Instagram to post a video confirming her death.
According to Fresh, Sikwane’s death may have been the result of a cardiac arrest but they are still awaiting confirmation from the post mortem.
Fresh said that he made the video out of necessity to stop any fake news from spreading.
“I’m not going to make a sombre video ... This video is purely out of necessity because of the wild times we live in with misinformation and fake news.
“We did lose Thabiso this morning around 6.30, we are told that it could have been a cardiac arrest but what caused it hasn’t been ascertained, so we await a post mortem that will give everyone clarity, because it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t make sense to anyone how this will happen out of the blue.”
Fresh also shared a story about how Sikwane would always want him to “honour” his gig booking and said that for now, his planned gigs will go on.
“As our first born son said, ‘Dad I hope you going to honour you gig bookings because that’s what mom would want’ ... Just like she did when Wandi was born. Wandi is our 15 year old.
“Wandi arrived a tad early and I had a booking in Durban and I remember trying to cancel that and in between delivery she (Sikwane) was like ‘When this baby pops, if this baby pops today, you will honour your booking’.”
Fresh said that he would keep everybody updated on Sikwane’s memorial and funeral plans.
Meanwhile tributes are still pouring in on social media.
TV mogul Kee-Leen Irvine of Rapid Blue said: “Deep shock and sorrow on the sudden and tragic passing of the beautiful Thabiso Sikwane. 💔A talented broadcaster, strong, gracious and kind woman and exceptional mother.
“Soar with the angels beautiful lady.”
Just a day before her passing, Fresh dropped an episode of his “WAW! What A Week” podcast, where he interviewed her.
Thabiso Sikwane‼️ That’s post …
— DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) August 30, 2024
That’s the guest on WAW What A Week today. We have known each other since she read news on my show in 1998, & this is the first time I interview her.
I’M Excited & nervous ‼️
Media hun, businesswoman, author and #WAWwhatAweek podcast producer… pic.twitter.com/2fNGXUZUOg
Fans who watched the episode respected the media giants for having such a mature friendship despite being divorced.
@Ndlombango said: “What a beautiful episode. The mutual respect. The laughter between the two. These two are a perfect example of saying when two people divorce, they don’t have to be enemies.”
What a beautiful episode. The mutual respect. The laughter between the two. These two are a perfect example of saying when 2 people divorce, they don’t have to be enemies.
— Ndlombango ka Tomase. (@Ndlombango) August 30, 2024
@Blackroze777 said: “My level of respect for this woman is insane! loved her then still do even now! I love how you guys still respect each other, your kids have great role models honestly🤎.”
My level of Respect of this woman is insane! loved her then still do even now! i love how you guys still respect each other, your kids have great role models honestly🤎
@PovertykillerB said: “24 hours later after dropping and posting this podcast she passes on. Life is not fair sometimes. Watched this podcast yesterday and loved it💔 Rest in peace mama. @DJFreshSA stay strong buti, much love ❤️.”
24 hours later after dropping and posting this podcast she passes on. Life is not fair sometimes. Watched this podcast yesterday and loved it💔
— PovertyKiller_Official (@PovertykillerB) August 31, 2024
Rest in peace mama.@DJFreshSA stay strong buti, much love ❤️