Veteran Ukhozi FM‘s newscaster Scelo Mbokazi has been laid to rest.

Scelo who was described as a selfless and caring person and one of the most dedicated employees of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) died last week, after a long illness.

Scores of people including his colleagues attended his funeral service held at his rural village of eMacambini in Mandeni, on the Kwa-Zulu-Natal (KZN) North coast.

It was a well-deserved send off for a person described by many as a caring person, who not only put his job first, but also touched the lives of many people.

He began his career at the SABC’s Ligwalagwala FM, before moving to work for SABC in KZN, where he became a household name through the way he presented news and his cracking of jokes.

The Mbokazi family says his passing has left a huge void. His son, Menzi, described his father as one who despite his demanding work made time to spend with his family.

“I thought I knew my father, but today I am surprised with the large number of people attending his funeral service,” Menzi said.

“We are also thankful for the support shown by the SABC management and his colleagues. From the time of his death, his colleagues have been with us. They said to the family the SABC will never be the same after the passing of my father. My father was a person, who loved his family. He was always cracked jokes at work.”

Mbokazi’s neighbors described his death as a great loss to the entire community of Mandeni.

His past and present colleagues said Mbokazi had a good understanding of isiZulu and mentored most upcoming news readers. The SABC News management in KwaZulu-Natal Thembeka Simelane and Jabulani Miya Sibisi described Mbokazi as one of the most dedicated and committed employees.

KZN regional news editor Busani Mthembu said Mbokazi was the true face of the SABC because of his love for the people and his job.