Pearl Shongwe, a beloved media personality in South Africa, had a diverse career in the industry. She was a newsreader on SABC’s radio station, Metro FM, as well as a television presenter, voice artist, scriptwriter, and facilitator on other major TV stations and radio broadcasters such as YFM. Unfortunately, Pearl passed away in November 2022, leaving her fans mourning and curious about the cause of her death.
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Table of Contents
Profile summary
| Full name | Pearl Ntombifuthi Shongwe |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | 3 January 1987 |
| Died on | 8 November 2022 |
| Age | 35 years old (at the time of her death) |
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Place of birth | Soweto, South African |
| Place of death | Polo Fields north of Johannesburg |
| Nationality | South African |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 5’6″ |
| Height in centimetres | 167 |
| Weight in pounds | 114 |
| Weight in kilograms | 52 |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Black |
| Profession | TV presenter, radio presenter, newsreader, voice-over artist |
Pearl Shongwe Cause of death
Pearl Shongwe, the radio presenter, passed away on 8 November 2022 at the age of 35 while asleep in her Johannesburg home. Her family confirmed her death and she was found lying face down on her bed.
The suspected cause of her death is excessive drug intake, as drugs were found in her bedroom. The estate management also confirmed her passing and notified the residents of the estate. They assured them that the situation was under control, and there was no reason for concern.
Who was Pearl Shongwe?
Pearl Shongwe was a renowned TV presenter and radio broadcaster who was born on January 3, 1987, in Soweto, South Africa.
Pearl Shongwe’s career
Pearl Shongwe’s path to success in broadcasting and television was marked by remarkable drive and dedication. Even as a twelve-year-old, she began auditioning for television commercials, displaying her early passion for the industry. She was also a finalist in the Miss Soweto 2011 beauty pageant.
Pearl was also a co-founder of Sakha-Isizwe, an NGO she established with literacy specialist Nhlanhla Khumalo. Their organization strives to uplift and empower marginalized communities in South Africa through education, promoting social justice.
In 2010, Pearl officially began her broadcasting career as an entertainment news reporter for YFM, a commercial youth radio station in South Africa, where she shared the workspace with DJ Mo Flava. She joined SABC in 2011 as a sports news anchor and went on to work across various platforms under the broadcasting corporation’s umbrella, including as a newsreader for SABC’s radio broadcasting station, Metro FM, and anchoring news on SABC’s 24-hour news channel. She also co-hosted the show Daily Thetha.
Where was Pearl Shongwe buried?
Pearl Shongwe, who worked for Metro FM, was laid to rest at Nasrec Memorial Park. Her funeral service was held at the Welfare Centre, where many people, including Kgopedi Lilokoe, paid tribute to her. In Lilokoe’s tribute, she expressed deep sadness at the news of Shongwe’s passing and encouraged everyone to live their lives fully and authentically, without worrying about the opinions of others.
Was Pearl Shongwe married?
Pearl Shongwe was known for being a private person, and she never publicly disclosed information about her personal life. At her funeral, her sister Nonhlanhla Shongwe mentioned that she had hoped to speak at Pearl’s wedding rather than her memorial service, indicating that Pearl was not married at the time of her passing.
Did Pearl Shongwe leave Metro FM?
As Pearl Shongwe passed away in November 2022, it is not clear whether she left Metro FM before her death. However, at the time of her passing, she was still a newsreader on the station and co-hosted the educational TV talk show, Daily Thetha. Throughout her career, Pearl Shongwe made a significant impact on the South African media industry.
