President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to legendary news anchor Noxolo Grootboom, who presented her last news bulletin on Tuesday evening after 37 years.
Earlier, the presidency postponed the President’s address to the nation on the COVID-19 Easter weekend restrictions by half an hour to allow South Africans to watch Grootboom do what she does best for the last time.
Ramaphosa says the news anchor was outstanding in her service to the nation.
“I wish to pay tribute to Miss Grootboom as an outstanding journalist who throughout her 37 years of distinguished service bought historic events in our country and across the world into the living rooms our nation. We wish Miss Grootboom well and thank her for her many years service,” he added.
Below is the President’s message to Grootboom:
Grootboom has been trending on social media with many South Africans wishing her well in her retirement.
Her colleagues have also bid farewell to the news icon who is best known for her sign off, ndinithanda nonke emakhaya.
Messages from SABC News workers and Grootboom’s fans:
A farewell fit for a queen. ????♥️
We are blessed to have lived in a time of giants ?#NoxoloGrootboomDay #NoxoloGrootboom #History pic.twitter.com/lNelOMQYIh— Sbongakonke Mbatha (@Sbongah_M) March 30, 2021
Imagine one day telling your children: “One day long ago, the president at the time wanted to talk to Mzansi, but then he moved his time so that your gogo, the TV Queen of News, could first read her TV news bulletin one final time on the public broadcaster.”#NoxoloGrootboom pic.twitter.com/j0yGFi8UFj
— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) March 30, 2021
WATCH: For the last time “nginithanda nonke emakhaya.” #NoxoloGrootboom
??? pic.twitter.com/xRX9bTcZ4k
— Mthimkhulu, Mashwabada, Mashiya amahle (@NeoMotloung_) March 30, 2021
#NoxoloGrootboom mesmerized by your beauty, grace & presence. You are a legend. It’s not just what you have done behind that camera for over 30 years, it is also your beautiful heart. 37 yrs! Good innings. Enjoy retirement but may the nation never actually let you retire?. Hugs! pic.twitter.com/YG9dJzwQC7
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) March 30, 2021
What a moment. What a stellar career. All the things a news anchor should be: Class. Professionalism. Trusted. A reassuring voice even in uncertain times. Thank you Mam’ #NoxoloGrootboom. You have set the bar high. Enjoy your retirement, you have earned it??❤️ #NoxoloGrootboomDay pic.twitter.com/n0HSaoxEAD
— IG: melzinbala (@MelBala) March 30, 2021
