South African Radio Loses a Legend: Remembering Darren Scott
The world of South African radio feels emptier this week, as longtime broadcaster Darren Scott has died at age 61. He passed away on 27 May 2025 after nearly four decades fighting stage 4 malignant melanoma, a journey that began with a daunting diagnosis back in 1986. What sticks with so many isn’t just the long and public battle with illness, but the decades of music, laughter, and easy conversation Scott brought into homes, taxis, and office buildings across South Africa.
Born Darren Scott Scott-Williams, his name became easy shorthand for classic radio. He carved his path from the days of Radio Bop and 5FM through to the more recent “Just Plain Breakfast” on HOT 102.7FM, where he crafted a morning routine that millions grew up with — and grew old with, too. Scott’s real strength was never just professional, though. His genuine warmth, big laugh, and that deep voice made listeners feel less alone on the freeway or while sipping a lonely morning coffee.
A Career Defined by Passion and Connection
Scott’s journey in radio kicked off in the early 1980s, a time when music and voices over the airwaves shaped pop culture in ways social media can barely match today. Through the years, his work took him from the youth-centric energy of 5FM to the friendly, familiar tones of Jacaranda FM and the nostalgia-driven energy of HOT 102.7FM. No matter the format or the decade, he had a way of making each show sound like a conversation with an old friend instead of a broadcast to a faceless public.
When he marked his 40th anniversary in broadcasting in 2023, it felt like a big moment for radio as a whole, not just for Scott. Getting inducted into the Radio Awards Hall of Fame was more than a career milestone—it was a nod to the fact that for so many, he was the voice that started the day, the sound of familiar comfort in an uncertain world. Colleagues like Shane “Duke” Wellington saw him as someone special, often highlighting how Scott had the rare knack for connecting with each listener directly, no matter how many happened to be tuning in.
Even as the cancer forced him into repeated hospital stays, Scott kept bringing himself—and his zest for radio—back to the mic whenever possible. Imagine the strength it takes to keep showing up, mornings after rough treatments, not letting pain overshadow his easy-going humor or the stories that made his shows so engaging.
His resilience inspired not just listeners, but fellow broadcasters who saw him as both a mentor and a friend. The outpouring of messages on social media after the news broke paints a picture of a man who wasn’t just famous, but genuinely beloved. Fans remembered on-air moments, witty comebacks, and the way Scott sometimes broke through the wall of professionalism to crack jokes or get real about the ups and downs of life.
Scott is survived by his wife Sarah-Kate and their two sons, Mark and Matthew. Tributes from across the country spoke both to his public achievements and his private role as a devoted husband and dad. The family's simple request for prayers and support for their boys is a reminder that behind every larger-than-life radio persona, there’s a family figuring out the next steps without him.
Darren Scott wasn’t just a fixture of South African radio — he helped define what radio could mean to a community. His deep voice and warm presence will echo on past the static and jingles, in all those shared mornings and memories listeners collected over the decades.
