Former Radio Grahamstown DJ, Eugene Siyabulela Tokwe, who died in a taxi accident on 23 December last year, has been described by friends and former colleagues as “an outspoken soldier with a vision”.
Tokwe and his friend, Vusumzi Lubelwane were travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town in a Toyota Quantum taxi on business in December.
Former Radio Grahamstown DJ, Eugene Siyabulela Tokwe, who died in a taxi accident on 23 December last year, has been described by friends and former colleagues as “an outspoken soldier with a vision”.
Tokwe and his friend, Vusumzi Lubelwane were travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town in a Toyota Quantum taxi on business in December.
It is alleged that the taxi driver was suffering from severe fatigue and that following numerous failed attempts to get Tokwe to drive, the driver lost control of the vehicle which rolled near Richmond in the Northern Cape.
Four people died instantly and others were injured. When the emergency team and police arrived on the scene, the driver had already fled the scene of the accident.
Tokwe’s father, Ngenisile said the last time he saw his son was when he went to look for a job in Johannesburg in July and it has been a “painful experience for the family” as they had not spent time with him over Christmas.
“When my daughter delivered the sad news I was horrified because I had just spoken to him on the phone,” he said.
Ngenisile also said that such drivers should not be allowed on the road because “they don’t respect the fact that they have our children’s lives onboard”.
A former colleague, Thenjiswa Nkosinkulu said she recieved a phonecall from Eugene’s girlfriend in Cape Town who told her he had passed away. “I couldn’t believe that it had really happened so I asked to speak to the police, who confirmed it,” she said. “We lost a young lion,” she added.
Before leaving for Johannesburg, Tokwe was accused of causing chaos at Radio Grahamstown while he was drunk which lead to his dismissal.
His former colleagues say that although he had behavioural issues at the radio station, he had realised his mistakes and that he hadn’t given up on his career in radio.
Luvuyo Gcule known as Dj Luvo, described Tokwe as “a dedicated guerilla who worked hard to bring the radio station back on air”.
Ngenisile says he would like to offer his gratitude to the Grahamstown youth, friends, the Methodist Church and his colleagues who were with the family during this trying time.
A memorial service was held on 31 December and he was laid to rest on 2 January. He will be sadly missed by his father, five siblings, six-year-old son Donny, friends, fans and colleagues
