Zwelakhe Sisulu was the first black CEO of the beleaguered South African public broadcaster between 1994 and 1997.
Zwelakhe Sisulu was also the founding president of the Writers Association of South Africa (Wasa) and the founding president of the Media Workers Association of South Africa (Mwasa).
Zwelakhe Sisulu has also been a board member of Urban Brew Studios which produces a large amount of local TV content for the SABC.
In 2006 he co-chaired the commission of enquiry investigating the SABC's use of independent political analysts and the broadcaster's blacklisting of certain commentators, finding in the report released in October 2006 that "the SABC's news division reflects a climate of fear".
"Zwelakhe Sisulu steered the organisation post the apartheid era and helped transform it from a state broadcaster into the public service it is today," says the SABC in a just-released statement.
"The SABC board and management on behalf of the corporation sends our condolences and prayers to the Sisulu family during this difficult time and would like to comfort the family with the thought that Zwelakhe Sisulu played an important role in society and his endeavours and contribution to South Africa will never be forgotten," says the SABC.
