I worked with the late Mark Pilgrim during my film and TV industry years. He was our presenter on “Power of 10” and I also produced a live corporate TV show for a large bank, where Mark was the presenter. I will always remember his professionalism as well as his warm, happy and friendly demeanour. He was quick with a joke and being the technology fundi that he was, he was always ready to help if we were challenged with technical difficulties. He is sorely missed on the airwaves and in our hearts.

HOT 102.7FM will pay tribute to this renowned broadcaster, Mark Pilgrim, and honour his legacy by hosting the ‘Pilgrimage’ Party at The Sound Room in Kyalami on Saturday the 10^th of June 2023.

The event aims to celebrate the life of one of HOT 102.7FM’s most respected and loved presenters and provide listeners with the opportunity to pay their respects to the man many knew simply as ‘Baldy’, while raising money for one of Pilgrim’s favourite charities – the Reach for a Dream Foundation.

Pilgrim died in March this year at the age of 53 after a battle with cancer, but left his mark on the radio industry – in the hearts and minds of both its members and listeners. It was therefore no surprise that tickets to the Pilgrimage Party sold out in less than 48 hours.

“No one loved an ‘Old Skool’ party more than Mark, and this is just one of the ways we feel we can pay tribute to all he stood for, loved and achieved,” says Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM. “It’s going to be a party to remember and a send-off that Mark, we hope, would have been proud of.”

The evening will feature DJ sets from HOT 102.7FM’s Madurai and Shawny B, Mickey Pereira and Lil Dave, playing a selection of ‘Old Skool’ hits and all of Pilgrim’s favourite songs. Partygoers can also look forward to a variety of fun activations and stunts involving products and hobbies that featured prominently in Pilgrim’s life.

“This party is all about Mark and the things in life that he loved and were important to him. That includes the Reach for a Dream Foundation, of which he was a big supporter,” says Madurai. “That will be part of Mark’s legacy, along with the incredible work he did for various cancer-related charities, inspiring those suffering with the same disease and giving hope by encouraging them to ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Pilgrim enjoyed a long and distinguished radio and television career, which culminated in him finding his ‘spiritual home’ at HOT 102.7FM, where he presented the award-winning Mark Pilgrim Show from Monday to Saturday between 09h00 and 12h00.

In 2021, he was inducted into the SA Radio Awards Hall of Fame, and will be remembered as one of the radio industry’s most accomplished presenters.

All proceeds from the Pilgrimage Party will go to the Reach for a Dream Foundation.