RIP | SANEF mourns former Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe, 52
· The South African
Former Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe has died at the age of 52, his family has confirmed.
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Phasiwe died after suffering a seizure, according to his family. He had experienced seizures for several years.
At the time of his death, he was serving as head of corporate affairs and communications at Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS).
His death has prompted tributes across South Africa’s media and communications industry.
SANEF pays tribute
The South African National Editors’ Forum said it was “deeply saddened” by Phasiwe’s death.
SANEF executive director Reggy Moalusi described him as a respected former journalist and communications professional who had served both the media and several public institutions.
“He was a respected former journalist and communications professional who served us very well, not only in the media, but across various public sector institutions,” Moalusi said.
He added: “We have lost a professional and a professional that has contributed so much.”
Familiar voice during Eskom crisis
Phasiwe became one of the most recognisable faces of Eskom during some of the power utility’s most turbulent years.
He joined Eskom’s media desk in 2008, later served as deputy spokesperson and became national spokesperson in 2015. He remained in the role until leaving the utility in 2019.
His tenure coincided with years of load shedding, financial pressure, ageing power stations and intense scrutiny of Eskom’s leadership and governance.
Phasiwe regularly faced the media as South Africans demanded answers over electricity cuts and the stability of the national grid.
He resigned from Eskom in April 2019 after more than a decade at the utility.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) says they are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of former journalist and communications specialist, Khulu Phasiwe.… pic.twitter.com/t1T5J6OMqG
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 6, 2026
Career began in journalism
Before moving into corporate communications, Phasiwe worked as a financial journalist at Business Day and Business Report.
His career later included senior communications roles at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory and the Office of the Public Protector.
The Public Protector appointed him as spokesperson in May 2024. At the time, the institution said he brought more than 20 years of experience in financial journalism and corporate communications across the public and private sectors.
He later moved to ATNS, where he headed corporate affairs and communications at the time of his death.
Tributes pour in
The African Media & Communication Forum paid tribute to Phasiwe, saying it honoured his life and contribution to media and communications in Africa.
The South African National Editors’ Forum also described his death as untimely.
SANEF’s Reggy Molousi said Phasiwe had made a significant contribution both as a journalist and through his work at major public institutions.
His funeral is expected to take place at Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, on Saturday.