A natural on air and a lover of words

“Rhymes With Bruised”. This was Steven Gruzd’s byline, social media handle, and something he would often say. It captured him perfectly: funny, intelligent, descriptive, and reflective of his love for playing with words. These characteristics of Steven were present in whatever he did. And he did a great deal with them. 

I got to know Steven when he worked at the South African Jewish Board of Deputies between 2011 and 2013. He was a fantastic colleague. No matter how stressful a situation was, he would find the humour in it. He was also able to laugh at himself. 

Steven left an indelible mark on the Board. He threw himself fully into every task he undertook, with enthusiasm and commitment. Our connection with him was further maintained through his regularly approaching us for comment and input for the articles he wrote, for the SA Jewish Report and other publications. 

What Steven perhaps loved most of all was being the first host of Jewish Board Talk on ChaiFM. I was his producer. We would brainstorm guests, and he would pick me up on the way to the studio on a Wednesday evening. Steven was a natural on air. He loved the guests, he loved the topics, and he loved chatting. Of every guest from out of town, he would begin by asking about the weather. It became a standing joke, and a tradition that I took on in honour of him. For his last show, I remember interviewing him about his stay at the Board and his return to the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). 

While he worked at the Board, he also wrote a “dad” column for Living & Loving magazine. He was that “dad”. He loved that column. He loved his daughters, Lauren and Megan, and was involved in every aspect of their lives. He loved his wife, Mandy. And he loved writing about their escapades in a funny and relatable way. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them and was so extremely proud of every single one of them. He shared and celebrated their every achievement. He would come into the office and recount some of the descriptions he used – and we would laugh about it. 

His time at the Board as senior researcher and diplomatic liaison fell between two stints at the SAIIA, where he headed the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme. He also worked at its Africa-Russia project. He loved the job and the travel (apart from the fact that it took him away from home). 

My last proper correspondence with Steven (apart from him sending me his latest piece in the SA Jewish Report, which he did with pride in everything he wrote) was his offer to be my guest to talk about his latest SAIIA project on “Middle Powers and the Evolving Global Order”. As with every project he was involved in, he was deeply passionate about that. 

But Steven’s true passion was Scrabble. He loved the words, the challenge, and travelled the world, winning several prizes. He was always magnanimous about his opponents. He was instrumental in growing the game, and so generous that he even offered to coach my young children, an offer that was never taken up. Scrabble allowed him to express his word-power and his formidable intellect. 

News of the brutal way in which he was killed, and his tragic death, went around the world in days. The loss is being felt widely. People from so many different walks of life have paid tribute to him, with many reaching out to me personally. Steven was both loved and respected. His loss has impacted us all. 

My deepest condolences go to Mandy, Lauren, and Megan, his broader family, friends, and colleagues. May his memory be a blessing. 

• Charisse Zeifert is the head of communications for the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.