Who was David Kekana? David Kekana was a well-known South African television personality, school teacher and football analyst whose voice became familiar to soccer fans across the country. Over nearly two decades at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Kekana earned a reputation for calm, thoughtful analysis and a commitment to explaining the tactical and social sides of the game. Colleagues praised his mentorship and journalistic integrity; viewers appreciated that he could break down complex football topics in ways both experts and casual fans could follow.
Kekana was born in the early 1970s and remained a private figure when it came to his personal life. Rather than speculate about every detail, reputable outlets focused on his professional contributions and his role in South African sports broadcasting. He passed away on 25 August 2019 after a long battle with chronic diabetes. His passing was widely mourned across the sporting fraternity.
David Kekana Biography
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | David Kekana |
| Born | 02 November 1972 (commonly reported) |
| Passed away | 25 August 2019 |
| Age at passing | Mid-40s (public reports vary) |
| Occupation | Television personality, school teacher, soccer analyst |
| Employer | South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) — ~18 years |
| Spouse | Lesley Jane Kekana |
| Children | Reported names: Trevor, Thandeka (details limited) |
| Known for | Objective, tactical football analysis; mentorship; sports broadcasting |
| Net worth (est.) | $150,000 |
Early life & background
Public documentation about David Kekana’s childhood and early family life is limited in mainstream sources. He is widely remembered for how he arrived at broadcasting from education — bringing classroom clarity to sports commentary. That teaching background informed his broadcast style: patient, methodical and focused on educating audiences about the game.
Career highlights
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Long service at SABC: Kekana worked at the South African Broadcasting Corporation for roughly 18 years. During this time he served in roles that included anchoring, match analysis and hosting football-related shows and segments.
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Trusted analyst: He was known for objective, critical analysis grounded in deep tactical understanding, and delivered opinions that balanced critique with fairness.
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Mentor & colleague: Many younger broadcasters and reporters remember Kekana as someone who made time to mentor, offering practical guidance on how to combine journalistic rigour with respect for the game and its stakeholders.
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Public voice for sport and society: Beyond match commentary, Kekana participated in discussions about sport’s role in social cohesion and policy, arguing that football could be used as a platform for community-building and constructive debate.
Personal life: wife, children & tribe
David Kekana kept much of his private life away from the spotlight. Available reporting and public tributes indicate:
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Wife: Lesley Jane Kekana is widely named as his spouse in public remembrances.
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Children: Names that have appeared in reporting include Trevor and Thandeka. Specific public records about their birth dates and other details are sparse and, in at least one report, inconsistent with other timelines — so most outlets avoid repeating uncertain specifics. Out of respect for privacy and accuracy, it’s best to say he is survived by family members who were frequently mentioned in tributes.
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Tribe / ethnic background: Public obituaries and sports coverage emphasize his South African heritage. Specific tribal affiliation is not commonly cited in mainstream coverage; this appears to have been a private aspect of his identity.
Health and passing
David Kekana battled chronic diabetes for several years. He passed away on 25 August 2019. Coverage and tributes at the time highlighted his courage facing long-term illness and the respect he commanded across broadcasting and football communities. The tone of most reports was one of gratitude for his contributions and sadness at the loss of a steady, informed voice in South African sports media.
Net worth
Public estimates place David Kekana’s net worth at approximately $150,000. As with many broadcasters and journalists, available figures are estimates based on years of professional work, typical industry pay levels, secondary activities (such as punditry and speaking) and public disclosures. Net worth figures for media personalities should be treated as approximate unless derived from verified financial documents.
Writing style & legacy
David Kekana’s broadcast style married the teacher’s instinct with the analyst’s discipline. He explained formations, substitutions and referee dynamics in terms that educated viewers without alienating casual fans. He was particularly valued for:
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Clarity: Using simple metaphors and step-by-step explanations to communicate tactics and match momentum.
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Fairness: Offering criticism when warranted but avoiding sensationalism.
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Mentorship: Guiding younger journalists and analysts, helping raise standards in sports coverage.
Because of those qualities, many tributes emphasized his steadying influence — a professional who treated sport as both spectacle and social instrument.
FAQs
Q: When did David Kekana die?
A: David Kekana passed away on 25 August 2019 after a long battle with chronic diabetes.
Q: What was David Kekana’s role at SABC?
A: He worked for the South African Broadcasting Corporation for roughly 18 years as an anchor, match analyst and presenter focused primarily on soccer.
Q: Who was David Kekana’s wife?
A: Public reports name Lesley Jane Kekana as his wife.
Q: How old was David Kekana when he passed away?
A: Public reports place him in his mid-40s at the time of his passing. Some sources list his birth year as 1972; by that timeline he would have been in his mid-40s.
Q: Did David Kekana have children?
A: Some tributes and reports mention children, including names such as Trevor and Thandeka. Exact public records and dates are limited; media coverage tended to focus on his career.
Q: What was David Kekana’s net worth?
A: Public estimates place his net worth at about $150,000. This is an approximation based on typical industry factors and available public information.
Q: What made David Kekana respected as an analyst?
A: His combination of detailed tactical knowledge, clear explanation, journalistic integrity and willingness to mentor others made him a trusted voice in South African football broadcasting.
Conclusion
David Kekana left a clear footprint on South African sports broadcasting. His career at SABC and his reputation as a teacher-turned-analyst ensured that many fans remember him not only for on-air moments but for the steady, educational approach he brought to football coverage. While personal details about his early life and family remain relatively private, the public record preserves the professional legacy he built: a voice that explained, educated and uplifted a generation of viewers and fellow broadcasters. His passing in August 2019 triggered tributes that reflected gratitude for his calm professionalism and the many lessons he shared with colleagues and audiences alike. May his memory continue to inspire fair, thoughtful sports journalism in South Africa.
