Xolani Gwala Bio, Wiki

Xolani Gwala was a South African media personality who was born in 1975 and died in October 2019 at the age of 44 after succumbing to a lengthy battle with cancer. He is from the small town of Impendle outside of Pietermaritzburg, Xolani had more than two decades of experience in broadcast. Impendle is a small town that is located about 60 kilometres from Pietermaritzburg.  His experience in the industry includes working as a reporter, news anchor, producer, talk show host, and current affairs presenter and spans across radio and television.

Xolani Gwala Early Life & Education

Xolani attended St. Marys Secondary School, where he completed his Grade 12 education. He went ahead to study a diploma in Public Relations Management or Media Studies at Natal Technikon, Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, in 1993. He graduated with his diploma in 1995.

Xolani Gwala Family

Xolani Gwala was the eldest child in a family of five children. He had three brothers and one sister. Both his parents are alive and are happily married.

Xolani Gwala Career

Xolani Gwala was in the media industry for at least two decades now. His career began while he was still a student at Natal Technikon, Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal. In 1994, he landed his first job in the media. He was employed as a newsreader at the Durban-based Ukhozi FM. After a while, he moved to P4 Radio which is also based in Durban.

At Talk Radio 702, the media personality was ranked as a senior reporter, talk show host, and newsreader. In 2000, he secured another job with SABC Africa. At this new station, he became a talk show host of News Hour, on SABC 3. He exited SABC Africa in 2008 and joined 93.6 RAM FM, a Middle Eastern station as a news editor in the Palestinian territory station. After working abroad for some time, the journalist came back and joined the local media once again. This was after the Ramallah-based station closed down. He joined SA FM as the host of PM Live and Asikhulume on SABC 1. He also became a co-host on other shows at SA FM. In his free time, he reads news and other current issues.

Xolani Gwala Awards and recognitions

Xolani was recognised as one of the best and most influential male media personalities in South Africa. The recognitions and awards that he has earned from his career include;

• • He was nominated for the Best Male Programme Presenter award for his role in Asikhulume. The show was also nominated for Best Talk Show in 2004.
  • He was recognised in the list of top 300 Young South African media workers by Mail and Guardian in 2009.
  • Asikhulume was recognised as second out of the top five talk shows in South Africa. It ranked 755th out of all the 2127 shows in the country. The show has over 1 million viewers. His shows, Asikhulume and PM Live, were recognised at engaging and the best places to learn about politics and current affairs in South Africa and across the world.

Xolani Gwala (Peggy Sue Khumalo) Wife, Daughters

Xolani was married to Former Miss South Africa 1996, Peggy Sue Khumalo. He proposed to the beauty queen and investment banker on his fortieth birthday. The proposal happened at his celebration party that was held in Impendle, Kwa Zulu Natal. The two have two daughters.

Xolani Gwala Wife Peggy Sue Khumalo is now the Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank South Africa Wealth Division. The presenter is also a proud father of the two adorable girls. While it is alleged that the media personality has an ex-wife, not much is known about her.

Xolani Gwala Cancer

Xolani was diagnosed with cancer. In September 2017, Xolani confirmed that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer during an interview on 702. Chatting to Stephen Grootes at the time, Xolani said that the cancer was “quite advanced”. “After thorough investigations, they found that I have colon cancer which was advanced. Quite advanced.”

Before the diagnosis, he had a fever and was feeling ill. He was put on antibiotics but did not get better. His wife, Peggy Sue, suggested that he should seek further medical attention.

After conducting tests, the doctors discovered that he had cancer in the liver and traced it back to the colon. The disease was at an advanced stage, but the perfect health of his unaffected organs enabled him to get treatment immediately. Xolani Gwala oncologist has been observing him closely ever since the diagnosis was made.

As per his latest update, he was in remission from cancer. He credited the support from his wife, Peggy Sue, as the reason why he made it alive. He and his wife are also thankful to the medical team that took care of him, and for the overwhelming support, they received from South Africans.

Xolani Gwala Death & Cause 

Xolani Gwala died at the age of 44 after succumbing to a lengthy battle with cancer. The family confirmed the news on Friday, November 1st, 2019 on Talk Radio 702.

Devasted ? Go well #XolaniGwala XG you remain an inspiration. May the family and the @Radio702 remain strong during this painful period. Hamba Kahle Mphephethwa

— Panyaza Lesufi (@Lesufi) November 1, 2019