Remembering Darren Scott: a tribute to a radio legend

MAY 27 will always be remembered as a day when radio in South Africa lost one of its brightest stars. Darren Scott was no ordinary presenter.

- ADVOCATE ROBIN SEWLAL

He, very early in his broadcasting career, knew the key attributes, be it radio or television, and he mastered them to the minutest detail, and delivered with exceptional pizazz, precision and perfection.

Knowing the industry as well as I do, it's not overreach to suggest that is no mean task.

It takes hours, sometimes even days, of research and preparation. Darren was always up to the task and performed with consummate ease in the strong belief that the listener or viewer deserved the very best.

Fresh out of secondary school, young Darren enrolled to study medicine at the University of Pretoria.

It was a still-born attempt as he spent more time at the campus radio station than in the classroom.

His love for the platform took on a greater dimension which led him to knock on the door of Capital Radio at Milpark Galleries in Johannesburg.

Darren did miniscule chores at the station — it did not matter as long as he had both feet in.

Born Darren Schwab, he changed his name to Kevin Scott as his mentor was Kevin Savage, the afternoon drive time jock on Capital.

Meanwhile, Kevin's hero worked for Capital 194 in London. He was Roger Scott. In the end, the name Darren Scott was agreed upon.

Kevin obviously saw something special in Darren. He gladly took him under his wing and became his "midwife" so much so that Darren sat in for Kevin whenever he was unavailable to present his radio show.

He also loved sport (Darren was an Arsenal supporter), and it was Barry Lambert at Capital Radio who nurtured his broadcasting prowess in various codes.

Darren's radio career took him to 702, 5fm, East Coast Radio, Jacaranda FM, Mix FM and Hot102.7FM - he gave us "medicinal" radio.