Government saddened by the death of Darren Scott
Scott was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma, a battle he fought for decades.
The Hot 102.7FM presenter was a household name whose voice and presence shaped South African radio for over four decades.
In a statement on Wednesday, Government Communication and Information System Acting Director- General Nomonde Mnukwa said Scott's legacy as a broadcaster and passionate storyteller will forever be remembered.
'His talent and versatility earned him over 30 Liberty Radio Award nominations and 14 wins, including multiple Best Breakfast Presenter accolades.
'His legacy as a broadcaster and passionate storyteller will forever be remembered. May his soul rest in peace,' Mnukwa said.
On Tuesday, Hot 102.7FM said he was a beloved voice on the airwaves who had showed grit, humour and determination in dealing with his illness.
The station said he will be remembered for his passion for radio, wit, creativity and charitable work.
Darren Scott marked 40 years in radio last year and was inducted into the Radio Awards Hall of Fame, which Hot 102.7FM said was a fitting honour for a man who gave everything to the medium he loved.
The station added that Scott was many things: a gifted communicator, a music lover, a sports encyclopaedia, a deeply spiritual soul, and a loyal friend. But above all, he was radio.
Over the course of four decades, he made his mark at some of the country's most recognisable stations from Radio Bop and 5FM to Jacaranda, East Coast Radio, and eventually Hot 102.7FM, where his voice became a cornerstone of the brand. Post your condolences below, by …
Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Kippie Moeketsi's global influence: what made the South African saxophonist so great
One of the most influential artists in South Africa's rich history of jazz is Kippie Moeketsi. He was born on July 27 2025 and passed away at only 57. Like Moeketsi, Salim Washington plays the saxophone and composes jazz. As a professor of global jazz studies, he also teaches students about Moeketsi's work and researches South African jazz. As part of our coverage of Moeketsi's centenary we asked him about the music behind the man. Who was Kippie Moeketsi? Kippie Moeketsi was born Jeremiah Morolong Moeketsi on July 27 1925. He was a jazz virtuoso, a modernist and cultural icon from South Africa, active from the 1940s to the 1970s. He was highly regarded among his peers and enjoys the reputation of being a musical genius. He garnered his reputation early on as a member of the famous South African group, the Manhattan Brothers. He came of age among a coterie of outstanding local artists, including Mackay Davashe, and younger lights such as Dollar Brand (now Abdullah Ibrahim) and Miriam Makeba. During the early part of his career he was a close associate of fellow musical visionary, pianist, composer and arranger Pat Matshikiza. With him he recorded Tshona and the more experimental Umgababa. Why is he often compared to Charlie Parker? Perhaps Moeketsi's most enduring contribution is as a member of the Afro-Diasporic modernists. The musical modernists were celebrated in the US as so-called beboppers. The musicians themselves did not come up with the term bebop; they preferred the term modern music for their artistry. That movement was centred on another genius saxophonist, US jazz star Charlie Parker, known as Bird, who died at 35 in 1955. Because Kippie admired Bird, and because he was of the same generation, and because his mythology (including his penchant for drinking too much) resembled Parker's, Bra Kippie was often compared to Bird and was even referred to as South Africa's Charlie Parker. This is more about the mythologies erected around these two giants; the musical record does not warrant the conflation of their legacies. (In the US one could rather make a musical case for saxophonist Sonny Stitt, or in South Africa one could think of saxophonist Barney Rachabane, as disciples of Parker.) However, Moeketsi did inhabit many of the attributes that made Bird so important. First of all, he was a modernist who mastered the art of double timing (playing twice as fast as normal, 16 notes rather than eight) and could seamlessly employ this method wherever he felt musically justified.
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Malusi Gigaba praises fiancée: 'My greatest love'
Malusi Gigaba has paid tribute to the new woman in his life, fiancée Nomfundo Fakudze. The former Minister of Finance and Home Affairs was previously married to IT businesswoman Norma Mngoma, who recently made headlines with a TV tell-all on their marriage and divorce. Before Norma, he was married to Thabong Nxumalo. In a recent Instagram post, Malusi Gigaba wished his fiancée Nomfundo Fakudze a happy birthday. The 53-year-old posted a video montage of his financial investor partner. He captioned the sentimental post: 'There are no words grand enough to truly express how much you mean to me, and how happy I wish you to be on your birthday. You are my best friend, my anchor, my greatest love, and my reason for smiling every day. 'I hope your birthday is filled with all the love and happiness you deserve, because you deserve the absolute world'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malusi Gigaba (@malusi_gigaba) In the comments section, Nomfundo thanked her partner, responding: 'The future looks too bright and it's definitely not an accident'. Before serenading his current partner, Malusi Gigaba was married to Norma Mngoma from 2014 to 2021. The IT businesswoman is the mother of his two sons. His first wife, Thabong Nxumalo -whom he divorced in 2014 – is the mother of his daughter. According to Norma – whose bombshell tell-all on Showmax's Untied had tongues wagging – Malusi Gigaba allegedly bedded several mistresses during their marriage. Norma Mngoma claims she caught her then-husband Malusi Gigaba in bed with another via Instagram: @ During her interview, Norma claimed she received countless messages from women who claimed that they had sexual relations with her then-husband. She brushed them off, as her then-husband contended that they were 'jealous' of their relationship. In 2020, Norma claims she caught Malusi in bed with another woman, who she claimed moved into their home several days later. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10 hours ago
- The South African
Tristan Tate defends Dricus against 'racist' comments
Tristan Tate – the brother of Andrew Tate – has defended Dricus du Plessis against critics who labelled him a 'racist'. Like the former UFC Middleweight World Champion, Tristan is known for his outspoken views on farm killings, 'white genocide,' and his endorsement of US President Donald Trump. Tristan, like Andrew, is also a former professional kickboxer. On his X account, Tristan Tate defended Dricus du Plessis against his critics. Tagging the former UFC Middleweight World Champion, Tristan posted: 'The hate @dricusduplessis is getting from people is totally unjustified.' He added, 'Chin up, champ, ignore the noise'. Tristan previously defended Dricus after fellow UFC fighter Israel 'Izzy' Adesanya claimed that the South African was 'not African'. He posted: 'Saying @dricusduplessis isn't African because he's white is super racist. 'He's African and so is Elon, do none of you know basic history?'. On X, many South Africans have accused Dricus of being a 'racist' after he publicly praised US President Donald Trump, who accused South Africa of promoting a 'white genocide'. Earlier this year, the 31-year-old said of the newly re-elected statesman: 'He is amazing, and I've had the privilege of meeting him. 'He said good changes are coming. He's holding many people and countries accountable for everything, and it's amazing to see'. Dricus also gave a 'big shout out to fellow South African Elon Musk for also doing the right thing.' Dricus du Plessis has praised Donald Trump and Elon Musk for speaking out about South Africa. Images via Instagram: @ufc Dricus – who has been vocal about farm killings – also infamously criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Speaking to US interviewer Nina Drama ahead of his UFC title fight last year, the Pretoria MMA fighter accused the government of 'screwing up' the country. He said: 'It's the worst government in the world by a long shot. We are truly and exceptionally s**t…it's the most corrupt in the world.' He continued: 'Our country is beautiful, the people are amazing…..There are a lot of great people doing great work. But I have to say, the government is terrible. Do I admit the tenacity with which they screw up? It's astonishing'. Of President Cyril Ramaphosa, he added: 'He takes all the money.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
