From radio waves to tv screens, some personalities preserve us within the loop, make us snigger, or encourage us.
Zimbabwe gave delivery to some of those exceptional people who then went on to turn out to be family names in South Africa, abandoning highly effective legacies in media.
Zimbabwean-born Radio/TV personalities who shone in SA
As we pause to recollect Simba Mhere, Alyce Chavunduka, Dr. Sindisiwe van Zyl, Mizchif, and Allan Riddell, it’s a second to not solely really feel the unhappiness of their absence but additionally to actually rejoice the profound affect they’d on broadcasting in Southern Africa.
Their journeys communicate volumes about expertise that transcends borders and lives that proceed to resonate lengthy after their ultimate broadcast.
Simba Mhere
Born Simbarashe Mhere on 29 October 1988 in Harare, Zimbabwe, Simba moved to Johannesburg when he was only a 12 months previous. In line with Pindula, Simba’s mother and father, Joseph and Angela Mhere, have been missionaries.
In 2010, Simba Mhere turned a Prime Billing presenter. He additionally labored as an MC and voice-over artist in South Africa.
He handed away on 31 January 2015 in Johannesburg when he was concerned in a automotive accident.
Alyce Chavunduka
Alyce Chavunduka was born in 1968 in Harare, and on the age of 12, she began her media journey at ZBC. In line with The Herald, when she was 23, she moved to South Africa and labored for Radio 702, however left after a short stint. In the identical 12 months, she made historical past as she turned the primary black feminine presenter for the SABC‘s TV1 channel.
She additionally labored as an M-Web presenter and hosted the Alice Chavhunduka Present on 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Alyce handed on in Johannesburg on 5 January 2014. She had reportedly suffered an epileptic seizure per week earlier than her demise.
Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl
Sindisiwe Van Zyl was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. She moved to South Africa to check medication on the College of Pretoria. She turned a family identify physician. Dr Sindi excelled not solely in medication but additionally as a broadcaster. She used to host “Sidebar with Sindi” on Johannesburg’s KayaFM.
She died on the age of 45 in April 2021 from COVID-19-related issues.
Allan Riddell
The late veteran Tv persona Allan Riddell was there by means of the entire change from the Rhodesia Broadcasting Company (RBC) to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company (ZBC). What stands out is that he didn’t simply keep in Zimbabwe; he went on to work for the BBC in Kenya and even in South Africa.
It was an actual disgrace when he handed away in Johannesburg in March 2023 after battling most cancers for ages. He was a correct legend in broadcasting circles.
Mizchif (Hechichamunorwa Kwenda)
Hechichamunorwa Mount Zion Kwenda, higher generally known as Mizchif, was recognised as one of many hip-hop legends in South African music. Throughout his days, Mizchif offered hip hop information on YFM and was a video jockey on Nasty, a hip hop present on Channel O.
He died on the age of 38 in September 2014. In line with a report on eNCA, Mizchif collapsed on a bus on his means again to Zimbabwe.
Which of those Radio/Tv personalities do you bear in mind?
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