It is with heavy hearts that we receive the news of the passing of the beloved Maria McCloy.
We will hold onto her incredible impact, her groundbreaking work, and the wonderful memories we built together over the years. No words can truly express this heartbreak.
Our sincerest condolences go out to her loved ones and to everyone who held her near and dear. Rest in eternal peace, Maria. Your light will continue to shine through! #RIPMariaMcCloy #CulturalIcon #SouthAfricanCreatives #Legacy
Our Maria. So quintessentially generous in her grasp of the power of the arts to heal and make us whole. The news of her passing is truly devastating, difficult to accept and understand
Maria Podesta 🕊️
One of the architects of post-90s urban 🇿🇦 cool, shaping a Gen-Y aesthetic where kwaito, hip hop, fashion, media and African cosmopolitanism collided.
📺 Bassiq & Street Journal on SABC
🎼Outrageous Records
You curated a language of Black urban culture. RIP to a true cultural worker and tastemaker. ❤️
Maria loved Joburg… she advocated for the city—the good parts and the parts that many are afraid to walk in. She shone a light on the dark parts and made us see the art and heritage of those places. RIP🙏🏾
RIP:
Maria McCloy
DJ, Publicist and fashion designer has passed away at 50.
Maria sadly passed away on Tuesday evening, 12 May 2026 at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg following heart failure.
#RIPMariaMcCloy
My family is in Eastern Cape. I can’t imagine being in Joburg, all alone with no one to hold me through it. In my culture, even breaking the news to a family is a community activity treated with the utmost care, you can never be alone.
Different strokes.