The passing of Mthobeli "KCi" August, went unnoticed for several days after his demise, leaving his family heartbroken.
"We tried calling him on Christmas Day but couldn't reach him, little did we know that during that time he was in trouble."
The former presenter of Umhlobo Wenene FM tragically passed away at the age of 47, with news of his death being announced on the evening of December 29, shortly after his body was found in his Johannesburg residence.
Addressing the speculations surrounding KCi's death, his friend Luphumlo Ngcayisa urged the public to wait for experts to confirm the cause. Ngcayisa mentioned that forensic experts suspect it might have been a panic or heart attack, as it seemed like he had just stepped out of the bath and may have experienced distress. It appeared that he was reaching for his phone when he fell.
KCi captured the hearts of numerous listeners when he took over the afternoon drive slot in 2005 on Umhlobo Wenene FM, entertaining them with his hilarious skits and prank calls. Known for his quick wit, unique presenting style, and close connection with his fans both on and off the air, he left a lasting impression.
During a memorial service held on Thursday, he was remembered as a trailblazer in the realm of prank calls and skits on radio.
In 2007, KCi was dismissed from the SABC radio station after refusing to play the station's predetermined playlisted songs. However, his loyal supporters demanded his return, leading to his reinstatement in the afternoon drive slot in 2012.
A year later, he was assigned to co-host the Masigoduke afternoon drive show with Luyanda "Luks" Gidane, which some fans perceived as a demotion. During this period, the usually vibrant KCi appeared more reserved while co-hosting.
In 2017, the seasoned broadcaster was relegated to the late-night weekend slot from 10 pm to 1 am, and the following year, his contract was not renewed.
KCi will be laid to rest on Saturday in his hometown of Adelaide in the Eastern Cape, as family, friends, and fans bid farewell to the cherished individual who left an indelible mark on the airwaves.
