Veteran anchor Noxolo Grootboom has received a lot of love and praise from all South Africans but, the last things she expected was this courteous move by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Watch: Noxolo Grootboom cries after learning of Ramaphosa’s courtesy
On Tuesday, the Presidency announced in a statement that’s since gone viral, that Ramaphosa will be addressing the nation in what’s come to be known as a ‘family meeting’.
Initially, the public service address was scheduled for 19:00, where the president is expected to make changes to the current lockdown status, in light of the upcoming Easter weekend.
However, due to the momentous occasion, Grootboom is preparing for, a last-minute call was made to move the ‘family meeting’ to 19:30, allowing the veteran news anchor the audience she deserves in her final broadcast at SABC Iindaba after 37 years.
Here is Grootboom’s reaction after she was informed of Ramaphosa’s courteous move.
This is how #MamNoxoloGrootboom reacted to the news that @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa has moved his national address to ‘to allow SABC viewers to watch veteran newsreader Noxolo Grootboom’s final bulletin as she retires after 37 years’ pic.twitter.com/2YYJT46BuB
— Yolisa Njamela (@yolisanjamela) March 30, 2021
South Africa rallies Grootboom on her final bow
Grootboom vacates a seat she has occupied since 1984. Getting to become South Africa’s darling Xhosa newscaster was no easy feat. She had to climb up the broadcasting ladder as a typist with great ambition.
Today, she is revered as the woman who exudes love and compassion for all South Africans, with her embracing phrase, “ndinithanda nonke emakhaya” (I love you all, my dear South Africans).
These are just some of the tributes that have been pouring in on Grootboom’s final day as a news anchor:
A true Broadcast legend. Today we celebrate you mama #NoxoloGrootboom pic.twitter.com/7DfdrVL8CY
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) March 30, 2021
Dear Mr @PresidencyZA please reconsider the time of your address in respect of the doyen of broadcasting #NoxoloGrootboom. It would be a fantastic way to honor her. pic.twitter.com/leif6RgKf9
— Chriselda 'Babes We Ndaba' Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) March 30, 2021
Whatever the content of the News bulletin will be at 19H00 tonight…. The iconic and legendary broadcaster will be the NEWS!!!
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) March 30, 2021
Thank u Mama for inspiring us, your kids thru all these years!! Siyakuthanda nawe lapho eStudio!!
#NoxoloGrootboom pic.twitter.com/5RKWXPN0Jv
When your legacy moves mountains #NoxoloGrootboom pic.twitter.com/P0CoyvRRKm
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) March 30, 2021
I’m so honoured that Laconco naturals, last year during women’s month was granted the opportunity to celebrate you. Thank you for allowing us in your home, the conversations we had, the laughs and she even baked me scones. Enkosi mama for telling our stories ❤️ #NoxoloGrootboom pic.twitter.com/TnAC1Z3oJi
— LaConco (@la_conco) March 30, 2021