Mzansi mourns the loss of Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi: beloved Lotus FM icon and Urdu language advocate

The South African media landscape has been shaken by the passing of Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi, a beloved Lotus FM radio presenter and Master of Ceremonies (MC).

Recognised for her vibrant personality and her devotion to uplifting others, Siddiqi's influence extended across the airwaves and into the hearts of many.

Reports indicate that Siddiqi was recovering at home after initially suffering a heart attack.

However, her condition took a turn for the worse. And in the morning of Friday, November 21, she succumbed to a coma before ultimately passing away.

The announcement of her death has left a profound shockwave, particularly within the radio industry and her fanbase, who regarded her as an inspirational figure.

Alan Khan, a fellow radio presenter, expressed his sorrow and reflected on Siddiqi's remarkable legacy.

"I was blessed to have worked with Zakia for a number of years at Lotus FM at the SABC," Khan stated.

"Her warm and loving personality always matched her kindness and joyful smile. This is a tremendous loss on so many levels. My sincere condolences to Zakia's family, friends, fans, and her colleagues across the media and entertainment industry."

Khan’s sentiments echo the grief felt by many, especially as her death comes shortly after Siddiqi was announced as a nominee for Best Talk Show at the upcoming 2025 Telkom Radio Awards.

Gift of the Givers conveyed their condolences, highlighting the deep bond Siddiqi shared with the organisation’s founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.

“Zakia was always a source of laughter and joy, bringing positivity and warmth to every space she entered,” they noted.

“Her life was rooted in deep faith, integrity, and honesty. She consistently offered kind words and upliftment to those around her.” 

Further tributes came from Niven Lalmund, a pastor and fellow presenter at Lotus FM, who shared his heartbreak, stating, “Rest in Peace, our precious Zakia Ahmed Siddiqi. We are heartbroken. A great loss to the industry.”

Shashika Mooruth, an Urdu music performer and educator, also commemorated Siddiqi, mourning the loss of a dear friend and lauding her vibrant energy and passion for life and music.

"She was bubbly, full of excitement, and lit up instantly at the mention of nostalgic songs I would sing. Her presentations were brilliant, her energy infectious, and her love for music so genuine that one could not help but feel uplifted in her presence.

"To me, she was not just a friend. She was a companion in the journey of music, someone who understood the magic, celebrated it, and amplified it for the world."

Throughout her life, Siddiqi was not only an influential broadcaster but was also a dedicated advocate for the preservation of the Urdu language, inspired by her late husband, renowned poet Safee Siddiqi.

She passionately campaigned for the importance of mother tongue education, stating, “Language has so much to do with our culture. It is part of who we are.”

She spoke Urdu, Afrikaans, English and Hindi, and through her initiatives, including the Safee Siddiqi Foundation, she aimed to inspire a new generation to engage with their Urdu linguistic heritage.

Siddiqi is survived by her two children, and her legacy is bound to live on through the countless lives she touched and her dedication to music, community and kindness.