Cape Town mourns Good Hope FM presenter Lorenzo Darries after battle with heart disease

Venecia Valentine

Cape Town is mourning the loss of Lorenzo Darries, a beloved voice on Good Hope FM, who has died after a long battle with heart disease.

Darries was widely known for his warm presence on air and his strong connection with listeners across the Western Cape.

A voice that connected with Cape Town

For years, Darries built a loyal audience through his work on Good Hope FM. His style was personal and engaging, which made him more than a presenter to many listeners.

He became a familiar part of daily life for thousands of people, using his platform not only to entertain but also to connect.

Living with a serious health condition

Darries had been living with cardiomyopathy, a hereditary heart condition that had already affected several members of his family.

Despite this, he spoke openly about his health journey, helping to raise awareness and support others facing similar challenges.

In recent months, his condition had worsened significantly. His heart was functioning at only 10 to 15 percent capacity, and he had been placed on a transplant list while waiting for a life-saving procedure.

“Focusing entirely on my health”

In a previous interview, Darries shared insight into his daily struggles.

“Sometimes I get extremely sick and the heart needs a bit of help from the doctors, so the body can get back to operational duty,” he said. “That means stepping away from work from time to time, resting, and focusing entirely on my health.”

He also described the physical toll of the condition, including fatigue, shortness of breath and severe swelling.

“Doctors are at the stage where they need to do the heart transplant as soon as possible rather than later,” he said.

Tributes pour in across South Africa

Following news of his passing, tributes have flooded social media, with colleagues, friends and listeners sharing messages of grief and appreciation.

Many have highlighted his strength, honesty and the impact he had on the community through both his work and his openness about his illness.

Good Hope FM is expected released a statement on social media:

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Lorenzo Darries, following a courageous battle with heart disease.

A beloved voice on Good Hope FM, Lorenzo brought warmth, passion, and authenticity to every moment on-air and beyond. His strength, resilience, and spirit touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and listeners. His legacy will live on in all of us.

Rest in power

A lasting legacy

Darries leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, authenticity and connection.

His voice became part of Cape Town’s daily rhythm, and his story has left a lasting impression on those who followed his journey.

Why this matters

Stories like this reflect the deep connection between local media personalities and their audiences.

Darries was more than a broadcaster. He was a trusted voice in the community.

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