by Thinus Ferreira
The South African TV and radio newsroom manager and news reader Ragani Archary died on Sunday afternoon from Covid-19 complications. She was 47.
Ragani Archary leaves behind her husband Mark and two children, Bradley and Kiren.
Ragani Archary was the head of news and news anchoring at the HOT 102.7 FM radio station in Johannesburg at the time of her death.
Ragani Archary previously worked at Media where she was the former head of input and head of assignments at the eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel, and was a former senior copy editor at the SABC News (DStv 404) channel.
"Ragani was a treasured colleague and the entire HOT 102.7FM family are devastated at her passing,” says Lloyd Madurai, HOT 102.7’s managing director, in a statement.
"We have lost a very dear colleague and friend, someone who was loved by all at the station and respected by her peers in the industry."
"Ragani brought an element of professionalism to her work and, in particular to our news reportage, introducing external reporters whose contributions added substantial value to the news bulletins."
"She was also known for her quick wit and for being a key member of Joburg’s Hottest Breakfast. We are thankful for the time we had with her, for her contribution to the station and for her commitment. We will remember her very fondly and miss her."
"We extend our condolences to her husband Mark, her sons, Bradley and Kiren, whom we will hold in our thoughts and prayers that they may find comfort at this time of immense sadness."
The political reporter Samkelo Maseko wrote that "There are so many young journalists who can boldly say it's Rags who gave me an opportunity to work at eNCA on the desk and on-screen".
"You had an eye for talent alongside Mapie Mhlangu. She wasn't afraid to put you in the deep end and tell you to swim with the sharks, that’s the only way you will learn."
"When I joined eNCA in 2017 she and Mapie had hired me as a newsgatherer. The way she believed in young journalists was out of this world, when you had authority, knowledge, sources and background of your chosen beat all she did was polish the diamond, channel it in the right direction and most important give you 100% support."
"When things went wrong she never threw you under the bus, she endured the stormy weather with you. Thank you for believing in young people, thank you for granting us an opportunity when many were afraid to do so."
