Brilliant youth with an old soul

THE media industry has suffered a loss with the sudden death of Tiisetso Makube, pictured .

He was found dead at his parents Johnny and Thoko Makube ’ s home at Tsakane in Brakpan, Gauteng, on Wednesday. Makube ’ s mother is working in London in the UK as a nurse.

Makube, described as a youthful man with a brilliant mind trapped in an old man ’ s soul by fellow journalist Sonia Motaung, wrote with a typically irreverent style, mostly on politics, jazz and other lifestyle issues.

He was associated with publications including Sowetan, Sunday World, Mail & Guardian and City Press. Motaung is the mother of his 12-year-old daughter, Nathalie.

“We named her Nathalie, Nat in short, because Tiisetso and I are fans of literature and writers of the ’ 50s and ’ 60s, with Nat Nakasa being our favourite,” she said.

“Tiisetso loved jazz, loved writing about jazz and was an avid reader, which has rubbed off onto Nathalie. She, too, has a beautiful mind, like her dad, and is already penning thought-provoking poetry. Her father always bought her books, instead of toys. She is now continuing the literary legacy.”

Motaung suspects Makube may have had an epileptic fit. “He developed seizures recently, but it did not seem too serious.”

Makube also leaves a younger sister Mpho. He was born in GaRankuwa, Pretoria, on July 10 1979. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. – Victor Mecoamere