Gareth Cliff is a prominent South African radio presenter, television host, and entrepreneur known for his frank and often controversial on-air style.
He was born in 1977 in Pretoria, South Africa.
He became a household name in South Africa due to his long tenure on 5FM, one of the country’s most popular radio stations, where he worked from 2004 to 2014. There, he hosted the weekday morning talk show, The Gareth Cliff Show, which became one of the most-listened-to programmes in the country due to its mix of current affairs, interviews, and music.
In addition to his radio work, Gareth made headlines as a judge on the reality television show Idols South Africa from its second season in 2003 until 2016. His forthright and often acerbic comments on the show stirred controversy but also attracted a large viewership. His departure from the show was preceded by a “controversy” over a tweet that led to his suspension and subsequent legal action against the show’s producers.
Following his departure from 5FM, Gareth launched CliffCentral.com in May 2014, a pioneering digital platform in South Africa.
The platform provides uncensored, real conversation about everything in the news, interviews with thought leaders, and special features on a variety of topics.
Off the air, Cliff has established himself as a successful entrepreneur. He is a sought-after public speaker, known for his thought-provoking on a wide range of topics, from social issues to the future of media.
