News about her death came as a shock to her family, colleagues and fans. On 8 November, Metro FM news presenter Pearl Ntombifuthi Shongwe died at home in her sleep. Her family confirmed the news of her death in a statement. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the SABC in Auckland Park, Johannesburg to pay their respects to Metro FM news anchor and Daily Thetha presenter.

PEARL REMEMBERED AS PASSIONATE

 Pearl's cousin, Nomkhosi Shongwe says her name stood for all the values she upheld. "The P in her name stood for passion. She was passionate about her career. I was hoping to one day speak at her wedding and not her funeral, but she told me, she did not see herself getting married,' Nomkhosi says. "The E in her name stood for elegant. Everything she did was elegant and gracious. A was for attention. She gave everything she did her full attention, even to her family. R stood for reliable. She was a very reliable person that you could depend on, and the L stood for Love. Pearl was a very loving person.'  Pearl's sister Nonhlanhla Shongwe says, If someone had told her that she'd be speaking at her sister's memorial service, she would say they are lying. " Pearl was like my twin, I mothered her from the day she was born and I'd like to believe that even on her last day on earth, she knew me as umama.' Pearl's sister went on to read a poem she had written for her late sister. "Pearl encouraged me a lot and said I had such a great skill at writing, it's just a shame that she felt I didn't believe so. So, I'd like to pay tribute to her in this poem that I have written, titled 'She is gone.' A family member, Zinhle Shongwe says their hearts are bleeding.  "On the 17 May, I lost my son, on the 25th of July we lost our mom and now, Futhi.'  Struggling to hold back her tears, Zinhle told mourners that Pearl was kind and loving. "Futhi was and will always be loved, no matter how hard or painful life is,' she says. "Her respect, her smile, love and care were what mattered to us. In all we have done, we are grateful for her life,' she says. "Futhi just didn't have a beautiful face, but a beautiful heart. She shared and gave love to everyone in our family. She always tried to light up the lives of others, not just us as a family but neighbours, friends, colleagues, and everyone. She was a people's person and always happy. She failed to be angry. I don't know an angry Futhi.' 

 FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES PAY TRIBUTE

 Pearl's best friend of 35 years, Nicolete Hanson says they did everything together while growing up. "Anyone who knew her knew she had a beautiful voice, and you would get lost in her melody.' Nicolette says, she once went on a weight loss journey and consulted a dietitian and asked her to join her on the journey. "Barbs went as far as buying me a food scale and groceries for the diet. I did it as a friend, three days was enough." In a moving musical tribute, Lebo Sekgobela sang her popular song Lion Of Judah. Pearl's colleague at Metro FM and friend Morena Mothupi says Pearl loved her job and friends. "Pearl said she would never get married or settle, but she considered me one of her life's loves. This is not how I wanted to meet you [the family]. But to have met you, I am eternally grateful,' she says. Her colleague and friend Marian Nyako-Lartey says, Pearl was educated and spoke with intent. "Pearl wanted us to travel in December and just enjoy life together. She had been through a lot and just wanted to break free. She might not go but I will still go next month in honour of her.' Marian thanked her family for allowing Pearl to be herself. "She loved getting feedback from people who appreciated what she did,' she says. Head of Local Production at SABC Lala Tuku says Pearl dedicated her life to storytelling. "She was enthusiastic and dedicated to telling stories. Pearl would be a custodian of what she presented. Her passion and dedication set her apart from any of her peers.' Veteran broadcaster Wilson B Nkosi thanked her family. "Pearl and I spoke extensively about our individual wishes, plans, aspirations, goals, and dreams. She had big dreams. I hope that in time, everything will make sense,' he says.