by Thinus Ferreira
The South African TV news cameraman Lungile Tom (45) who worked for e.tv's eNews and eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel died on Wednesday morning from the Covid-19 coronavirus after he was hospitalised on Sunday night.
Sources told TVwithThinus on Wednesday morning that Lungile Tom was hospitalised and that e.tv's Cape Town office has shuttered the floor where he worked for the time being and staffers told to work from home.
Lungile Tom, fondly known as "Marawa" joined eNCA in December 2013 from CNBC Africa (DStv 410). He leaves behind his wife Nandipha and their children.
So far there's been no comment or statement from e.tv who was asked about the developments.
In an internal email to staffers that TVwithThinus has seen, eMedia Investments said that "the company is saddened by the loss of one of our cameraman, Lungile Tom, our colleague and friend, working for eNCA, based in Cape Town".
Below is the communique that has now been sent to e.tv staffers:
Dear All, The Company is saddened by the loss of one of our cameraman, Lungile Tom, our colleague and friend, working for eNCA, based in Cape Town. Lungile was admitted into hospital on Sunday night, May 10, with COVID-19 related symptoms. His test results confirmed last night that he had COVID-19 and he passed away in hospital this morning, Wednesday May 13. Lungile joined eNCA in December 2013 as an ENG Camera Operator bringing his skills from CNBC Africa. Lungile was known for his larger than life personality and his dedication to his craft. His buoyant laughter will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, Nandipha and his children. In adherence to government regulations, we have disinfected and closed the affected floor at the Cape Town offices. The Company has informed the Department of Labour, and in the meanwhile instituted a tracing and tracking process. All employees who have had contact with Lungile have been advised to stay at home, will be tested and go into self-isolation.
UPDATE: Wednesday 13 May 2020 11:30 - eMedia Investments has issued a statement about the death of Lungile Tom:
"eMedia Investments is
saddened by the loss of one of its camera operators who was based at the eNCA
Cape Town office.
Our colleague was
admitted to hospital on Sunday night, May 10, with COVID-19 related symptoms. He
was subsequently tested and admitted to intensive care when his test results
confirmed that he had COVID-19.
He passed away in
hospital this morning, Wednesday, May 13.
eMedia Chief Operating
Officer, Antonio Lee, said the cameraman joined eNCA in December 2013 as a Camera
Operator. He was previously with CNBC Africa.
“He was known for his
larger than life personality and dedication to his craft. His buoyant laughter
will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his wife, as well as his
children.” Lee said.
eNCA will adhere to all government
regulations and have taken the necessary precautions to disinfect all areas and
equipment.
We have also instituted
a tracing and tracking process. All employees who had contact with him have
been advised to stay at home. They will be tested and will go into
self-isolation.
eMedia is making plans
to honour our colleague’s memory."
Here is how eNCA reported the death of Lungile Tom on Wednesday afternoon at 12:00:
The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) in a statement on Wednesday afternoon about the death of Lungile Tom said:
"The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lungile Tom, a cameraman, who worked at eNCA at the company’s Cape Town office. Lungile was turning 46 this year."
"SANEF believes that this tragic death points to the very dangerous work that journalists do, working on the frontline."
"We call on all media companies to assist journalists with protective gear and for journalists to be extra careful and follow all safety precautions. We also call on media companies, where possible, to assist journalists with trauma counselling."
"SANEF sends its heartfelt condolences to Lungile’s family, friends and colleagues."
ALSO READ: etv News boss Nisa Allie pays tribute to cameraman Lungile Tom who died from Covid-19: The loyal 'fist-pumping guy who documented everything and who liked a muffin and coffee for breakfast'.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: eNCA anchor Sally Burdett on the Covid-19 death of cameraman Lungile Tom as more details are revealed: 'It's just so sudden and so shocking and so desperately sad.'
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Lockdown of eMedia Investments' e.tv building in Cape Town for a Covid-19 deep-clean after cameraman Lungile Tom's death, over 70 staffers sent into home-quarantine to self-isolate for 14 days.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Tributes flow after Covid-19 death of etv News and eNCA cameraman Lungile Tom: 'A tender, older-brother figure whose physical size made you feel safe and secure no matter where we were reporting from'.
Here is how eNCA reported the death of Lungile Tom on Wednesday afternoon at 12:00:
Coronavirus: @eNCA (@DStv 403) reports about the death of the @etv cameraman Lungile Tom from Covid-19 who was fondly known as 'Darama': pic.twitter.com/ZfxiCovJFX— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) May 13, 2020
The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) in a statement on Wednesday afternoon about the death of Lungile Tom said:
"The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lungile Tom, a cameraman, who worked at eNCA at the company’s Cape Town office. Lungile was turning 46 this year."
"SANEF believes that this tragic death points to the very dangerous work that journalists do, working on the frontline."
"We call on all media companies to assist journalists with protective gear and for journalists to be extra careful and follow all safety precautions. We also call on media companies, where possible, to assist journalists with trauma counselling."
"SANEF sends its heartfelt condolences to Lungile’s family, friends and colleagues."
ALSO READ: etv News boss Nisa Allie pays tribute to cameraman Lungile Tom who died from Covid-19: The loyal 'fist-pumping guy who documented everything and who liked a muffin and coffee for breakfast'.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: eNCA anchor Sally Burdett on the Covid-19 death of cameraman Lungile Tom as more details are revealed: 'It's just so sudden and so shocking and so desperately sad.'
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Lockdown of eMedia Investments' e.tv building in Cape Town for a Covid-19 deep-clean after cameraman Lungile Tom's death, over 70 staffers sent into home-quarantine to self-isolate for 14 days.
ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Tributes flow after Covid-19 death of etv News and eNCA cameraman Lungile Tom: 'A tender, older-brother figure whose physical size made you feel safe and secure no matter where we were reporting from'.
