From radio waves to television screens, some personalities keep us in the loop, make us laugh, or inspire us.
Zimbabwe gave birth to a few of these remarkable individuals who then went on to become household names in South Africa, leaving behind powerful legacies in media.
Zimbabwean-born Radio/TV personalities who shone in SA
As we pause to remember Simba Mhere, Alyce Chavunduka, Dr. Sindisiwe van Zyl, Mizchif, and Allan Riddell, it’s a moment to not only feel the sadness of their absence but also to truly celebrate the profound influence they had on broadcasting in Southern Africa.
Their journeys speak volumes about talent that transcends borders and lives that continue to resonate long after their final broadcast.
Simba Mhere
Born Simbarashe Mhere on 29 October 1988 in Harare, Zimbabwe, Simba moved to Johannesburg when he was just a year old. According to Pindula, Simba’s parents, Joseph and Angela Mhere, were missionaries.
In 2010, Simba Mhere became a Top Billing presenter. He also worked as an MC and voice-over artist in South Africa.
He passed away on 31 January 2015 in Johannesburg when he was involved in a car accident.
Alyce Chavunduka
Alyce Chavunduka was born in 1968 in Harare, and at the age of 12, she started her media journey at ZBC. According to The Herald, when she was 23, she moved to South Africa and worked for Radio 702, but left after a brief stint. In the same year, she made history as she became the first black female presenter for the SABC‘s TV1 channel.
She also worked as an M-Net presenter and hosted the Alice Chavhunduka Show on 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Alyce passed on in Johannesburg on 5 January 2014. She had reportedly suffered an epileptic seizure a week before her death.
Dr Sindisiwe van Zyl
Sindisiwe Van Zyl was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. She moved to South Africa to study medicine at the University of Pretoria. She became a household name doctor. Dr Sindi excelled not only in medicine but also as a broadcaster. She used to host “Sidebar with Sindi” on Johannesburg’s KayaFM.
She died at the age of 45 in April 2021 from COVID-19-related complications.
Allan Riddell
The late veteran Television personality Allan Riddell was there through the whole change from the Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). What stands out is that he didn’t just stay in Zimbabwe; he went on to work for the BBC in Kenya and even in South Africa.
It was a real shame when he passed away in Johannesburg in March 2023 after battling cancer for ages. He was a proper legend in broadcasting circles.
Mizchif (Hechichamunorwa Kwenda)
Hechichamunorwa Mount Zion Kwenda, better known as Mizchif, was recognised as one of the hip-hop legends in South African music. During his days, Mizchif presented hip hop news on YFM and was a video jockey on Nasty, a hip hop show on Channel O.
He died at the age of 38 in September 2014. According to a report on eNCA, Mizchif collapsed on a bus on his way back to Zimbabwe.
Which of these Radio/Television personalities do you remember?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
