Metro FM radio personality Eddie Zondi passed away early Monday after suffering a heart attack.
According to Metro FM spokesperson Happy Ngidi, Zondi was in his home at Ruimsig, west of Johannesburg when rushed to the hospital early Monday morning after complaining of chest pains.
The sad news is that Zondi did not make it to the hospital and declared dead on arrival.
"All of us are still trying to process it because we have lost a stalwart, a seasoned broadcaster who has made such a huge contribution in the industry. It will take us a long time to deal with his sudden departure. Not only is it a loss for Eddie's family but it is a loss for South Africa at large. We've really lost a legend," Station Manager Martin Vilakazi confirmed the sad news on air.
Zondi had been one of the foundations of the Metro FM hosting the widely popular "The Romantic Repertoire" on Sundays from 3pm to 6pm, which featured RnB classics.
He was born in Soweto and later move to Durban where he met then-Radio Zulu legend Cyril Mchunu known to his devoted listeners as "Kansas City."
After he was being introduced to radio,he then moved back to Johannesburg to study Speech and Drama at the acclaimed FUBA School of Dramatic and Visual Arts in Johannesburg.
According to his profile on Metro FM's website, Zondi missed radio and later enrolled at Wits University School of Broadcasting where he did a six-month course on radio with Koos Radebe, Metro FM's first Station Manager as one of his lecturers. After completing the course, he landed a job at Metro FM as a weekend field reporter for the station.
In 1999, he landed the 3am - 6am weekday slot and worked his way up to more prominent slots at the station. Outside of Metro FM, Zondi also released four compilation CDs titled Zondi's Romantic Ballads.
As news of his death broke, celebrities and fans rook to Twitter to pay tribute to the radio legend.
Dineo Moeketsi : Rest In Peace Eddie Zondi. Your light & music will forever be etched in our hearts. Soar through the heavens.
Gugu Mavundla : Sundays will never be the same again! So many memories nkosi yami. Viva the legend #ripeddiezondi
Claire Mawisa : Working with him was a radio milestone. thank you for the music Mr Eddie Zondi.
