Versatile broadcaster Pearl Shongwe dies at age 35

Pearl Shongwe

Cape Town – Metro FM newsreader, Pearl Shongwe, has passed away at the age of 35.

According to SABC News, it is understood that she died at her Polo Fields home north of Johannesburg. The cause of death is unknown.

Shongwe was a multi-talented and versatile broadcaster who was an important member of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) team.

She presented the children’s sports show ‘Sports Buzz’, and co-anchored the news and current affairs programme ‘Weekend Live’. Additionally, she served as a sports host of “Sports Live” on the SABC’s 24-hour news channel.

She also anchored the hugely popular show ‘One Day Leader’ on SABC 1. At the time of her untimely death, Shongwe was a newsreader and presenter on the popular radio and television shows ‘The Touchdown’ show on Metro FM and SABC 1’s youth programme ‘Daily Thetha’. 

She was also a well-known voice-over artist, displaying her versatility in various forms of media.

According to a statement by SABC, Kina Nhlengethwa, Metro FM Business Manager said that Pearl still had a lot to offer.

“Words cannot explain how great a loss it is for Metro FM, of this beautiful, vibrant and intelligent woman. It was a privilege to work with Pearl, for those that had the opportunity to meet her. She was a rising star, and still had a lot to offer in the industry,” she was quoted as saying.

“We wish to send our condolences to the family, her colleagues, our listeners and everyone who was close to her. She may be gone from our sight, but never from our hearts,” she added.

Tributes for Pearl poured in on social media, with many of her peers highlighting how much they enjoyed not only working with her, but being around her as well.

Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Picture: Instagram/ @pearlshongwe

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com 

Compiled by Junaid Benjamin

Article written by