Radio Legend Mark Pilgrim Dies at 53

The management at Gauteng radio station HOT1027 FM has confirmed the death of radio legend Mark Pilgrim following a long battle against cancer. Pilgrim died on Sunday morning.

The radio station’s general manager Lloyd Madurai said Pilgrim fought valiantly to the very end.

“It is with great sadness that I share this news, that our brother and hero and much loved radio personality lost his battle with cancer this morning. he fought valiantly to the very end. Mark passed peacefully with his fiancé Adrienne at home.

“They were together for his last breath. His family thank you for being part of his journey, for loving him, celebrating  him and supporting him always.”

Pilgrim worked for a number of radio stations, including 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 5FM.

In 2014 Pilgrim joined start-up community station HOT 91.9FM and went on to pick up two SA Radio Awards in his time with the station.

When a new commercial station was launched in Johannesburg in July 2021, in the form of HOT 102.7FM, Pilgrim was handed the mid-morning slot.

In 2021 Pilgrim was inducted into the SA Radio Awards Hall of Fame, but he also made his mark in TV, hosting numerous prime-time shows over the years, including, memorably, South Africa’s first ever ‘Big Brother’.

He was also a sought-after voice artist, published author, MC, corporate DJ, and motivational speaker, along with holding a BCom degree in Industrial Psychology and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. By Jaracanda FM