An infectious voice, calm demeanour and passion for the community are just some of the attributes friends and colleagues reminisced about after the passing of much-loved Plettenberg Bay radio DJ Steven Pedro.
Pedro, 47, died on Saturday at the Knysna Hospital after he suffered a stroke.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media describing the weekday afternoon cruise show host on Radio204 as being a voice for the voiceless and community centred.
Radio204 station manager and founder Sbongile Tom said Pedro was one of the most talented, passionate radio presenters they had worked with.
“His passing is still a shock to us and more especially to me — we were close, and he was my pillar through the challenges of running an online radio station,” Tom said.
“Steven was a people person — he always made you feel welcome and important all the time.
“Radio204 has lost a good presenter and a good human being, and the listeners have lost an entertainer and the presenter who loved them.”
Tom said despite it being Pedro’s first gig as a radio DJ and having only taken up the role at the beginning of 2022, the career was tailored to his traits.
“He had experience in sales at various companies and you can imagine the personality of a salesperson.
“He was always respectful and would always make sure one was comfortable.”
Plett Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth said Pedro was an incredible voice for the community.
“He was personable, had a great understanding of humanity and will be sorely missed by everyone in Plett.”
Garden Route mayor Memory Booysen described Pedro as a giant with a soft heart.
“He would always engage me on community matters and would compare current political matters to when I was still the mayor of Bitou, the positives as well as the negatives.”
Booysen said he was always truthful and would be missed.
Condolences also came from Peace walker Siyanda Dlamini, who had covered thousands of kilometres across the country, spreading a message of peace.
While Dlamini spent less than an hour with Pedro for an interview, he said he was so relatable that he had to refer to him as “big brother”.
Ward councillor Claude Terblanche said Pedro was a friend first and then a resident of New Horizons and recently elected as a ward committee member.
“I personally knew him for many years, growing up in front of him, being a family friend.
“Steven was a very jokey person and always had ways of making you laugh and forget about your own troubles,” Terblanche said.
Pedro is survived by his wife and two children.
His memorial service will be held on Thursday and he will be buried on Sunday.
HeraldLIVE
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