Remembering Darren Scott: a tribute to a radio legend

MAY 27 will always be remembered as a day when radio in South Africa lost one of its brightest stars. Darren Scott was no ordinary presenter. He, very early in his broadcasting career, knew the key attributes, be it radio or television, mastered them to the minutest detail, and delivered with exceptional pizazz, precision and perfection.

Knowing the industry as well as I do, it’s not an overreach to suggest that is no mean task. It takes hours, sometimes even days, of research and preparation. Darren was always up to the task and performed with consummate ease in the strong belief that the listener or viewer deserved the very best.

Fresh out of secondary school, young Darren enrolled to study medicine at the University of Pretoria. It was a still-born attempt as he spent more time at the campus radio station than in the classroom. His love for the platform took on a greater dimension which led him to knock on the door of Capital Radio at Milpark Galleries in Johannesburg.

Darren did miniscule chores at the station – it did not matter as long as he had both feet in. Born Darren Schwab, he changed them to Kevin Scott as his mentor was Kevin Savage, the afternoon drive time jock on Capital. Meanwhile, Kevin’s hero worked for Capital 194 in London. He was Roger Scott. In the end, the name Darren Scott was agreed upon.

Kevin obviously saw something special in Darren. He gladly took him under his wing and became his ‘midwife’ so much so that Darren sat in for Kevin whenever he was unavailable to present his radio show. He also loved sport (Darren was an Arsenal supporter), and it was Barry Lambert at Capital Radio who nurtured his broadcasting prowess in various codes.

Darren’s radio career took him to 702, 5fm, East Coast Radio, Jacaranda FM, Mix FM and Hot102.7FM – he gave us ‘medicinal’ radio. At the pinnacle of his pathway, he made time to also present sport on television that included rugby, tennis and boxing. Darren dared to be different but dynamic. Given the foggiest idea of something achievable, you can depend on him to deliver, and he’ll do so with substance and in style even better than you ever imagined.

He was way ahead of the game: who could forget Darren broadcasting his show on Capital Radio from his bedroom when it was not fashionable, doing his shows on 5fm live from the Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom, and his daily weekday broadcasts on two different stations: East Coast Radio in Durban and Jacaranda FM in Pretoria?

We had mutual admiration for each other’s work. In the week prior to the ‘lockdown’ in 2020 due to Covid-19, I was forced to drive from Durban to Johannesburg. Closing in my destination, I tuned to Darren who was hosting the afternoon “Just Plain Drive” show on Mix FM. Truth be told, I was not surprised to hear him extending a huge helping hand by offering cash vouchers to the listener in need.

During the height of the pandemic, I was commissioned to write a journal article titled “Community Radio in South Africa during the Covid-19 crisis”. I interviewed eight stations around the country, and one of them was Mix FM where Darren was ever willing to co-operate as a true team player. He told me that his OneWingz “Stimulus” as well as the “Hope Ahead” campaign distributed around four hundred thousand rand in four months to the needy.

Moreover, the OneWingz partnership with OneCupOfPap supplied hundreds of kilograms of food items to vulnerable communities around Gauteng. A full kitchen was built for a feeding scheme in Alexandra. Desks, chairs and furniture were donated to different care centres and schools in various townships in the province. Over five thousand three-ply OneWingz masks were distributed. On February 11, 2022, Darren paid tribute to “The Wiz” Oscar Renzi by playing his Top 10 favourite songs. It was the 30th anniversary of Oscar’s passing. He knew that Oscar and I were close friends and worked together on Capital Radio.

When Darren called me to enquire about the songs Oscar liked most, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that they both shared something in common – their favourite song was “Hotel California” by The Eagles. I vividly recall Darren saying that I was mightily privileged to have had such a tight association with Oscar. Darren did his last radio show on December 15, 2022, prior to departing to the United States to be near to his dear boys, Mark and Matthew. He had no interest in getting into radio there, and was grateful that I offered to help him with charitable work here in South Africa.

When Lloyd Madurai offered him the opportunity to host the afternoon show on Hot 102.7FM, Darren was on the next flight back to South Africa. Darren was very complimentary about the legacy book “My Radio Memory: Listening to the Listener”, and offered his full co-operation. I really wanted him to be an integral participant in my next project. When I made contact with him in January this year fully cognisant of his health situation, we agreed that we will communicate again about the project in March.

We did so. He was completely committed to what I was planning. The voice note that he sent me will forever be a beautiful reminder of our relationship premised on care, compassion and congeniality. As a human being, Darren was not perfect – nobody’s perfect. When he did go ‘off the rail’, he was appreciative of those who rallied to assist. One thing though is a certainty: he did not look down upon anyone. Darren was professional and inspirational in everything he undertook. He gave “hope” fresh meaning and purpose. There was nothing "plain" about Darren Scott. He will forever be remembered for his trademark warmth, infectious energy and pure brilliance!

Advocate Robin Sewlal is the Chairperson of Radiocracy which published the legacy book “My Radio Memory: Listening to the Listener”. You can obtain a copy by emailing MyRadioMemory@radiocracy.co.za. It costs R390, which includes delivery to your door by Internet Express.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. 

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