By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Close friends, family members and colleagues of Pearl Ntombifuthi Shongwe gathered at Welfare Centre, Diepkloof Zone1, in Soweto to bid farewell to the late star.
Shongwe was found deceased at her apartment last week. With a broadcasting career that spans from 2010, She moved from news anchoring to sports presenting with ease.
Earlier this week, the family of the late Metro FM and SABC TV presenter, said she had many milestones left to achieve but her life was cut tragically short.
Shongwe was remembered as a kind person who was passionate about her work and loved her friends and family, constantly showing them kindness and compassion. The media personality was laid to rest at Nasrec memorial park.
Her sister Nonhlanhla Shongwe wept as she recalled when she almost lost her sister when she was hit by a car back in their school days and how she was inconsolable being faced with the reality today.
“I know that I am not ready to say goodbye, so I cannot say goodbye. This for me is a ‘until we meet again’ … it was very evident that she is going to be the brightest star.
“I just want to let you know that you mean the world to us, only a heart as dear as yours could give so unselfishly … I know and trust that our Lord will see us through.”
Metro FM presenter and DJ Moeti “Mo Flava” Tsiki spoke of his relationship with Pearl after meeting her when they worked together at YFM.
“She’s done so much for me in my career … As much as she was a star … she was a star because she was talented. But she was also a star because she was able to bring a shine to your life. She helped me become better at what I do. Whether she was my manager at some point as a DJ, a co-host on a radio show, or news. She helped me shine. She had an incredible impact on my life,” he said.
MetroFM, programme manager Siyanda Philani Fikelephi lauded Pearl for her hard work and never taking for granted any opportunity that came her way.
“It’s been a rough ten days since we received the unfortunate news … today is about celebrating the life of Pearl … I would want to remember her for who she was. She was such a workaholic … she spoke things into existence …”
Shongwe radio career was launched in 2010 when she worked for the youth radio station YFM as an entertainment reporter, alongside Moflava.
She also went on to work as a floor MC at Silverstar Casino, where she learnt the art of connecting with audiences.
With sport as one of her passions, she worked with SABC Sport as a reporter and voice artist to their flagship programs, including a children sport show, ‘Sports Buzz’.
Shongwe also featured on the SABC 24hr News channel as a sports host on Sports Live. She moved on to co-host Morning Live on weekends alongside Simphiwe Ncongwane.
Livestream Video Below:
Video Courtesy of Metrofm.