The South African radio fraternity is mourning the death of Munghana Lonene FM presenter Foster “Mafosi” Chauke, a broadcaster and musician who spent years contributing to Xitsonga radio and traditional music.
Chauke was known to listeners for his distinctive personality, humour and passion for Xitsonga music. His death has prompted tributes from those who knew him through broadcasting and the music industry.
The station confirmed his death on Saturday, 26 September 2026, however did no disclose the cause of his death.
A career rooted in music and radio
Mafosi’s relationship with entertainment stretched well beyond his work behind the microphone.
A 2016 profile by Zoutnet described him as an award-winning radio journalist and musician who had been involved in music from a young age. He was also associated with Giyani Community Radio, where he presented programmes including Xitsonga Top 20 and a religious show.
His connection to music was also shaped by his upbringing. In a 2024 interview, Mafosi said he had grown up in a family of entertainers, with family members involved in music and comedy.
His career eventually brought him to the SABC’s Munghana Lonene FM, one of the country’s key broadcasters serving the Xitsonga-speaking community.
A familiar voice on Munghana Lonene FM
Mafosi became particularly associated with the station’s Xitsonga traditional music programming.
In its 2023-2024 programming announcement, the SABC confirmed that Quinton “The Quintinizer” Baloyi and Foster “Mafosi – Try by Force” Chauke would host Timintsu ta Xitsonga on Saturday afternoons.
The programme gave the pair a platform to celebrate traditional music while also profiling musicians and artists.
Munghana Lonene FM’s own programme information continues to identify Mafosi Chauke as part of the Timintsu ta Xitsonga crew.
The SABC again listed Chauke as part of the programme’s presenting team in its 2024-2025 line-up, while also identifying him as the presenter responsible for documentaries linked to the station’s monthly themes.
He was recognised for his contribution to Xitsonga music
In October 2024, Mafosi and Baloyi were nominated for Presenter of the Year in the traditional music category at the South African Traditional Music Achievement Awards.
Speaking about the nomination, Mafosi said the recognition was meaningful because the pair had not entered themselves for the award.
“A nomination on its own is a win for us. Winning will be just the cherry on top. Being nominated shows that they recognise the work we are doing as a team and we are humbled by that,” he said.
The pair were recognised for their work on Timintsu ta Xitsonga, where their humour and personalities became part of the programme’s appeal.
A link to the wider Xitsonga music industry
Mafosi’s work was not confined to radio.
He was also part of a wider network of musicians and performers in Limpopo’s Xitsonga music scene. A profile of veteran producer Joe Shirimani listed Mafosi among the artists connected to his stable, alongside established names in Xitsonga music.
His earlier radio career also included work at Giyani Community Radio, demonstrating the path he took from community broadcasting into the national SABC radio environment.
That progression reflected the importance of regional and community radio in developing broadcasters who understand the language, culture and musical traditions of the audiences they serve.
Munghana Lonene FM and its cultural role
Munghana Lonene FM forms part of the SABC’s regional radio offering and has played a longstanding role in broadcasting in Xitsonga.
The station’s programming combines news, current affairs, music, entertainment, community content and cultural programming. Its traditional music shows are an important part of its mandate to serve Xitsonga-speaking audiences.
In announcing its 2024-2025 line-up, the SABC said the station wanted to preserve historical events and personal stories while celebrating the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Vatsonga.
Mafosi’s work fitted into that broader role, particularly through his focus on traditional music and documentary storytelling.
A voice remembered by listeners
For listeners of Munghana Lonene FM, Mafosi will be remembered as more than a presenter.
He was a broadcaster who brought humour, music and Xitsonga cultural expression to the airwaves, while also using his platform to profile artists and contribute to the preservation of traditional music.
His 2024 words following his SATMA nomination now carry added significance.
“A nomination on its own is a win for us,” he said at the time.
For the radio fraternity and the audiences who followed his work, Chauke’s passing marks the loss of a familiar voice in Limpopo broadcasting and the wider Xitsonga entertainment community.
