Veteran publicist and DJ Maria McCloy dies aged 50

McCloy died from heart failure at a hospital in Johannesburg on 12 May, according to a statement issued by her family.

“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we confirm the passing of our beloved sister and media industry giant, Maria McCloy,” the family said in the statement.

“Maria sadly passed away on Tuesday evening, 12 May 2026 at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg following heart failure.”

Following the announcement, tributes from across South Africa’s creative and entertainment sectors were shared on social media.

“You wrote the very first article published about us,” South African music group TkZee wrote. “Thank you for being a day 1 believer and a foundation stone that shaped the ‘New South Africa’s’ youth culture. Rest now Maria McCloy. Your race is run. Thank you for time and we’ll see you out there.”

Arts and culture writer Atiyyah Khan described McCloy as a significant figure in Johannesburg’s cultural scene.

“There should be a street in Joburg named after Maria McCloy,” Khan wrote. “This cultural work we do is often thankless and the impact often unknown, but no one did more for Johannesburg than Maria. She was an absolutely fierce and prolific PR head and deep lover of culture and music.”

Music In Africa head of content Ano Shumba also paid tribute: “I worked closely with Maria McCloy from the time I joined Music In Africa as a junior writer. She was a vital connector within the industry, and her passing leaves a huge void.”

Over several decades, McCloy became a prominent figure in South Africa’s media, fashion and entertainment industries. She was widely known for her work as a publicist, DJ and creative, and for her involvement in youth culture and music-related projects.