The news icon delivered her final news bulletin on Monday.
Dressed by Gqeberha designer, Nombuyiselo Zinco, SABC news anchor Noxolo Grootboom delivered her final news bulletin on Tuesday at 7 pm.
For 37 years Grootboom was a source of information, inspiration and even comfort to viewers across the country. From her first broadcast filling in for Thandi Mesatywa, Grootboom quickly became an icon and every evening viewers looked forward to her famous “Ndini thanda nonke emakhaya” closing phrase, her way of saying thank you to the people of South Africa.
Speaking to The Star, Grootboom shared that it was by faith that she ended up in the field of journalism.
“It was never, ever in my plan. My path must have been paved by some higher power because I never thought I would become the person that South Africans have made me to be today.”
“There was this genuine love and attention I was receiving from people and because I knew I could not reach everyone one by one to say thank you, I decided on “Ndini thanda nonke emakhaya”.”
Grootboom shared that the most memorable moments of her 37-year career was the opportunity to do running commentary for many major events.
“Notably all of them were the funerals of our Struggle stalwarts. The first one I did was for Chris Hani, followed by Joe Slovo, Sabelo Phama of the PAC. I was even graced with the honour of doing the funeral of uTata Mandela, uTata Sisulu, uTatu Tambo no Mama Tambo. Every stalwart that you can think of, I did that funeral.
“Those are the most memorable moments to me because the first funeral unearthed a skill I did not know I had. It taught me that I am not just an anchor. It was an opportunity to show what I could do.”
Grootboom’s last news broadcast on SABC one was truly the end of an era. Take a look at the farewell messages from President Ramaphosa and her SABC colleagues below.
President Ramaphosa bids farewell to Noxolo Grootboom
Colleagues bid farewell to SABC News anchor Noxolo Grootboom
