‘Legend of radio and TV broadcasting' — tributes pour in for Darren Scott
The Hot 102.7FM presenter, who suffered from melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, for more than 38 years, died on Tuesday.
He is survived by his sons Mark and Matthew.
Tributes from colleagues are mounting on social media as people express their sadness about his passing.
Darren is remembered for the impact he made on the airwaves, having worked for stations including Radio Bop, 5FM, Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio and Hot 102.7FM.
'We salute a South African radio legend who made a massive impact in shaping 5FM. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in power, Darren Scott,' read a statement shared by 5FM.
'Rest in peace #DarrenScott, legend of radio and television broadcasting. Gutted to hear this news but know Darren has been suffering for a long, long time. Was privileged to have worked closely with him on SuperSport broadcasts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The ultimate professional with a real sense of humour and quick wit like no other. His love of broadcasting probably lay in radio, but his ease of presenting on television in shows such as # BootsAndAll and all the many #rugby and other sports encounters was second to none,' wrote performance coach and consultant Dave Nosworthy.
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The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Oudtshoorn's hills to come alive with the sounds of music
It's that time of the year again to head for Oudtshoorn, situated on the edge of the Garden Route, to soak up some classical music and cultural offerings at the Klein Karoo Klassique (KKK). This festival of classical music, art, books, food and wine is being presented for the 16th time in Oudtshoorn, from Friday August 8 to Sunday the 10th, in the town's civic centre. The organisers say a more diverse and exciting menu than ever is in store for 2025, and just a glance at the programme confirms this. A highlight will be listening to 65 choristers from the Voces Cordis Choir as they take to the KKK stage for the first time. Maestro Richard Cock and the Cape Town Festival Orchestra are returning for a Klassique Gala Concert (August 9) and they will be joined on stage by the ever-popular Charl du Plessis Trio and rising opera star Nonhlanhla Yende. The programme includes Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata , opera arias by Mozart and other classics by Vivaldi and Bach. Yende, a mezzo-soprano making waves on SA's music scene, will perform some of the most popular opera arias to round off this memorable concert. Zorada Temmingh is regarded as one of SA's foremost improvisers on the organ, performing works by popular organ composers such as Johann Pachelbel and Léon Boëllmann, along with her own compositions and improvisations on church hymns. She will be playing on August 9. For Alive String Quartet in Concert on August 8 you will find Petrus de Beer (violin), Renée van der Westhuizen (violin), Emile de Roubaix (viola) and Anjulie de Vos-Nock (cello) blending classical and contemporary music with engaging storytelling and compelling narration. Beloved classics by composers such as Vivaldi, Haydn, Beethoven and Piazzolla are included, alongside modern hits infused with a classical touch by The Beatles, Coldplay and more. Then there's a highlight when 65 choristers from the Voces Cordis choir will take centre stage. The production will be conducted by award-winning choir director Andre van der Merwe on August 10. They will be presenting sacred choral works by composers such as Andrey Makor and Jacob Handl, contemporary pieces by Laura Jēkabsone and Jacob Collier, a Latvian folk song, and Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel by Mia Makaroff. The choir will also share their interpretation of the beloved Afrikaans piece, Voshaarnooi . Choral music enthusiasts can expect an absolute feast, Van der Merwe says. 'Klein Karoo Klassique not only unites the town of Oudtshoorn but also creates a vibrant platform for classical music to be expressed in many forms — whether through voice, piano, organ or strings. 'It celebrates the richness and diversity of the genre in a way that's both accessible and inspiring. 'We're honoured to be part of this long-standing celebration of classical music. 'Many of our singers have known each other — and me — since their teenage years. 'They come with deep musical roots, having sung in world-class children's choirs and competed internationally from a young age. 'This shared history, combined with the depth that comes from lived experience, brings a special maturity and emotional nuance to our music-making,' he said. Van der Merwe is the musical director of the Stellenbosch University Choir (since 2003) and has just returned from the Interkultur European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations 2025 competition in Aarhus, Denmark, where they won three gold medals — so it's quite something having him on the Garden Route. He describes working with choral music as incredibly rewarding, because it allows him to witness how music touches everyone involved, from the audience and the singers to the composer and lyricist. 'Each person experiences a piece differently, and as a conductor, I get a front-row seat to that emotional connection. 'Choral music is truly a team effort — every voice, every part plays a unique and essential role in bringing the music to life. 'It's a powerful reminder of how individual contributions come together to create something far greater than the sum of its parts.' The idea for Voces Cordis came about as a merging of musicians who love music. 'Many of those who came to audition were familiar faces — former members of the Pro Cantu Youth Choir, Stellenberg Girls' Choir and the Stellenbosch University Choir. 'It felt like a natural reunion of voices who had journeyed together before, now ready to create something new. This alone inspires our team,' he said. The Little Maestros concert series also returns (August 8 and 9 at 12.30pm) and this time the young audiences will learn more about the harp from harpist Jana van der Walt and Magdalene Minnaar (violin and presenter). This concert, specially designed for the youngest listeners, offers a relaxed environment where little ears can explore music by Mozart, Bach and other beloved classical composers. Each day of the festival begins with a Breakfast Concert at 8am, where classical music is combined with a delicious menu. These concerts are free to attend and will be presented in the Banqueting Hall. Music discussions will follow selected recitals, hosted by Du Plessis. René Scribante has curated a visual arts exhibition under the theme Sacred Pulse, inviting viewers into a sensory dialogue in which sound becomes image and movement transforms into form. Works from both established and emerging artists from the Klein Karoo and greater Southern Cape will be included. A walkabout through the artworks will take place on August 8, at 5pm, in the Banqueting Hall. The Oudtshoorn ReWOLusie invites everyone to join them in knitting and crocheting to make a difference in the community. Oudtshoorn's very own coffee master, Johan Breunissen, will present an exploration of coffee in Africa on August 9, at 8am, in Afrika-koffie vs Afrika-droëwors. RJ Tours will host a Historiese Wandeltoer (historical walking tour) daily at 8am and De Rustica Olive Estate will offer various opportunities for festivalgoers to taste their award-winning olive oil. A limited number of Klassique Packages are available, providing an opportunity for festivalgoers to attend all nine recitals at a saving of more than 20%. Tickets can be purchased online, or at any Checkers, Shoprite, Usave, or the KKNK office. Tickets will also be on sale at the door before recitals. Head for the website to see which accommodation establishments have partnered with the KKK to offer specials. The Klassique Festival Restaurant serves delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with other delicacies available throughout the day. A selection of wines and LeLude MCC will also be served. Klein Karoo Klassique is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with support from Le Lude and the Oudtshoorn Municipality. For more information, visit or contact the KKNK office via email at info@ or call 044-203-8600, or send a WhatsApp to 065-285-2337.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Wines inspired by an adventurous cow
SA's indigenous Nguni cattle are known for their adaptability to different, often harsh, environments and their resilience to pests and diseases, as well as being particularly beautiful animals with their distinctive horns and wide variety of coat colours and patterns. What might these cows and wine have in common though? There's the adaptability of grape vines to different wine-growing regions; the fascinating variety of grapes, winemaking styles and blends; and the resilience required of both vines and winemakers to survive in a business subject to the vagaries of weather, pests, red tape and Trump tariffs, and still produce an intriguing, beautiful product. Which makes Survivor a pretty apt name for a wine brand whose story starts with an Nguni cow. The story goes that this particular cow was being transported through the Swartland on the back of a truck when she spotted a chance at freedom and leapt from the truck into a vineyard alongside the road. The unsuspecting cattle farmer discovered her escape only some kilometres later and was in search of the wayward bovine when he encountered the grape farmer who had just found the surprise of an unknown cow happily grazing in his vineyard. The cow, uninjured by her gymnastic feat, was gifted to the grape farmer, who named her Survivor and then offered her name to a winemaking customer looking for a name for a new wine brand, and Survivor Wines was born in 2014. Sadly, Survivor departed her happy existence last year, but she lives on in the names and labels of Survivor wines. Cellarmaster Pierre Wahl, in the Bay recently to share some of the latest releases, sources grapes from a diversity of wine-growing regions — from the arid Swartland to cool-climate Elgin — making some into terroir-specific wines and also using the diverse building blocks in his love of complex and intriguing blends. You could say the Survivor range is as diverse and distinctive as the patterns unique to each Nguni's hide. In the Survivor Terroir range, Swartland Chenin (R160 ex-cellar), half of it wild-fermented and matured in barrels before blending, is juicy and crisp, peachy in flavour with the zing of pineapple for bright acidity and a mineral streak to finish. By contrast, Survivor Reserve Chenin (R350), from old, low-yielding bushvines in a different Swartland site, is 100% barrel fermented and aged for 11 months. Here the characteristic pineapple turns grilled and caramelised, the wine fragrant with lemon grass, citrus zest, delicate nuttiness — a delicious wine of complexity and depth. The Survivor Cellar Master Chardonnay, from Tradouw outside Barrydale, (±R400), is creamy and full-bodied, but fresh with ripe yellow fruit, vanilla notes and a zingy citrus finish and a touch of cool-climate minerality. Partly wooded in untoasted and older barrels, the oak influence just lending structure and texture. Pinotage, with which Wahl put Rijk's in Tulbagh on the map, is a strong feature through the ranges. Survivor Terroir Pinotage, from the cooler Swartland area of Darling (R200), has juicy black cherries with savoury, spicy notes blended with delicate florals; fresh, flavourful easy drinking. The Reserve Pinotage (R465) is a decadent exploration of the grape's darker side — deep, rich and full-bodied, with inky dark fruit, salted liquorice and cigarbox spice, the layers unfold and shift with every sip. The first, and well deserved, Platter's 5* for Survivor. The pinnacle of Wahl's love of pinotage and of blending comes in the Cellar Master Reunion (R515), uniting pinotage with its parent grapes of pinot noir and cinsault in blend that combines vibrant fresh cherries and strawberries with finely woven layers of darker fruits, spice, flintiness and earthy mushroomy umami notes, all integrated into a harmonious whole; a rare and very desirable treat. Just for some more fun- and pun-filled survivalist cow antics, search Google or YouTube for 'cows with guns' and have a laugh at the graphics and lyrics, which play very well with a glass of Survivor Pinotage.
Mail & Guardian
5 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Taking back the Soweto night with Nomsa Mazwai and Rapsody
#FunkItImWalking: Nomsa Mazwai organised the walk that started from the Soweto Theatre. Photos: Arthur Dlamini This past Friday I walked for nearly 3km through the streets of Jabavu in Soweto from 8pm to 10pm on a winter night in July. That might sound crazy, but it was actually a lot of fun. I was part of a group of 100 people and along the way we chanted and sang with Karabo Ya Morena, a youth choir from Soweto that were part of our parade. At the front of the crowd, leading us through the streets and keeping the energy up, was Nomsa Mazwai, the originator of Soweto Night Out. At every stop she would yell out 'Funk it, I'm walking!' and the crowd would yell back 'Let's walk to freedom!' What were we thinking, you might ask? Well, partly it was a unique way to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day. But it was also a chance to meet American Grammy award-winning musician and respected emcee Rapsody, who was in the country working on her next album and who joined in on every step of the way. For most of us, the journey started in Rosebank, where we boarded a bus courtesy of the organisers, which was really appreciated because it muted any worries about transport from Soweto back to town, especially after a long night out. We arrived at Soweto Theatre where we gathered on the front steps and enjoyed a welcome performance by the youth choir while people clamoured to get their photo opportunities with our illustrious American guest — including yours truly, because there's nothing wrong with pausing work mode to have a fan moment. After that we started our walk, accompanied by members of the community policing forum, walking up and down the Jabavu streets with white banners with 'Soweto Night Out Tours' written on them at the back and front of the procession. 'What we like to say about ourselves is that we are an alternative protest,' says Mazwai. 'When you look at us in the street, we look like a protest, but we're not. We're a business. Everybody there is making money. We're solving the unemployment crisis in South Africa. We're solving the crime crisis in South Africa. It's a drop in the ocean. We are not government. 'If we were the government, it would be far greater impact, but we are not. So we are doing what we can, where we can, in the ways that we can do it. And this is just one of the ways that we do it. 'And we are a performance to the community of the possibilities of safety because we've shown communities that there is an economic value to safety and we've unlocked it for the communities that we work in.' The origin of these walking tours, which Mazwai now hosts for paid groups of at least 20 people on request, stretches back for more than a decade, when she returned to South Africa after living abroad for years in places such as New York in the United States and Newcastle in the United Kingdom. 'I love walking, and I've lived in other parts of the world where I walked everywhere, any time of day, all the time,' says Mazwai. 'And when I came back, I realised I was feeling down because I wasn't getting to walk.' So she said, 'Fuck it, I'm walking!' Mazwai even wrote a Facebook post about how she wasn't going to let anything stop her from walking around as she did when she lived abroad. It was a friend who encouraged her to make the slogan more child-friendly and so she started saying 'Funk it, I'm walking!' instead. At first it was an activist movement that would mobilise walks in support of various causes such as for water with the World Wide Fund for Nature. But when Mazwai left her job at the Soweto Theatre, where she had spent five years as the general manager, she decided to set her mind to building #FunkItImWalking into a business. Mazwai put years of research into developing it into a sustainable social enterprise, drawing on her background in economics as a Fulbright alumna with an MA in international political economy and development from Fordham University in the US. 'It took a while but eventually we zeroed in on what our mission or intention was. And it's that #FunkItImWalking aims to make it safe for a woman to walk at any time of day, in any condition. And how it does that is by thinking about sustainable businesses that enable women's safety. 'Because I am an activist woman, I have been part of the marches and the seminars where we call the president to come and account. I've been part of all of those things and they've yielded zero results. The talking has yielded nothing. There'll be a law that's passed. Then they say they're opening centres but the material condition on the ground has not changed. 'And I think for myself, I believe that's because South Africa decided to be a neoliberal country and it decided to follow that economic policy. That economic policy puts capitalism at its centre. It sees capitalism as the answer. And capitalism puts money above all else. And so it became very clear to me that if I wanted to enjoy safety as a woman, it had to make economic sense,' says Mazwai. After leaving Soweto Theatre, we first made our way to Kwa-Khaya Lendaba, the late great Credo Mutwa's cultural village. Once we entered the compound it was so dark we had to use our phone lights to guide our steps. I asked my friend if we weren't absolutely sure we weren't being led to a mass sacrifice. Seth Mazibuko, a June 16 Soweto uprising leader, talks to Grammy winner Rapsody Fortunately, there were no sacrifices, and it turned out to be worth the journey. Once we got to the centre of the compound we sat around the bonfire and listened to Zamalek Giza, a rasta sage, tell us about the life of Credo Mutwa and the fables about creation and the universe. After that we hit the road again, walking past the notorious Jabulani flats. 'The Jabulani flats are one of the most dangerous parts of Soweto,' says Mazwai. 'I'm sure people have read about them a lot in the news. There's always drama there, but there's never drama when we do our night tours because our CPOs [community policing officers] are within the community and the community understands the value that we're bringing into that community. 'Our night walks are incident free to this point. In addition to that, we also work with the Seth Mazibuko Foundation, which is a heritage and youth development-focused foundation. So where we are very focused on women's safety, they are very focused on youth employment as well as heritage. And so working with Seth, we then started incorporating heritage sites into the routes. Now, because of the way communities have welcomed our work, the museums also came on board and they open at night.' We made our way to the June 16 Memorial Acre, which opened after hours just for us. And then finally we walked to Native Rebels, a restaurant and our last stop of the night. It was there where we sat down to watch the main attraction —Rapsody in conversation with the legendary activist Seth Mazibuko. While some may have initially thought Rapsody would be the one answering questions, it turned out she was interviewing Mazibuko. Their conversation touched on a variety of themes including activism, youth engagement, Pan-Africanism and the future of South Africa. 'I see Rapsody as a voice of the youth,' says Mazwai. 'She has built a career that is very conscious, very grounded, and wholesome, and I love that. And so I believed that for Rapsody to level up, she really needs to hear from somebody who changed the trajectory of an entire nation. 'I feel like myself and Rapsody are soldiers on the same battlefield, fighting on the same side, you know, for the lives and the livelihoods of young black people and for black people and brown people all around the world. 'And so when I spoke to her, I said, 'You know, Rapsody, a lot of young people don't know Seth Mazibuko, and you don't know Seth Mazibuko. And so I want you to ask questions that you would ask Seth Mazibuko. ''I don't want to tell you what to ask him, because what I want you to do is to ask him the questions that young people in South Africa are afraid to ask because they don't want to look stupid.' I wanted young people to watch their hero not know and be so willing to know and be so fearless in asking because Rapsody has that skill of not being afraid to ask. She wants to know.' The night ended at about midnight, and I boarded the bus back to Rosebank feeling physically tired but spiritually uplifted and inspired. It was the kind of night that reminded me what's possible when people come together with purpose, creativity and a little bit of courage. In a country where safety is too often a privilege, not a right, a night out reminded me that joy, community and economic opportunity can carve out new paths through even the most neglected corners of our cities. Walking through Soweto in the company of song, story and solidarity, I felt like we weren't just remembering the past. We were actively imagining a better future. And for a few beautiful hours, it felt within reach.
