The stunned SABC is trying to come to grips with the unexpected death after a heart attack yesterday of Vuyo Mbuli (46) - the co-anchor of SABC2's Morning Live the past 13 years and the SABC's flagship breakfast show - with his co-host Leanne Manas simply saying "I'm devastated".
The SABC is running an on-air, in memoriam tribute card to Vuyo Mbuli on all three of the SABC's TV channels, SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3, the whole day on Sunday.
Morning Live co-anchor Leanne Manas said "We created magic together for 2 hours every morning for nine years. I'm devastated! Not sure how to do it without you. I will miss you so much!"
Morning Live's business anchor Peter Ndoro said "To the children, family and friends of Vuyo my deepest deepest condolences. Such a sad loss."
"It hasn't been easy for all of us at Morning Live," Nothando Maseko, the executive producer of Morning Live told SABC Television news. "Vuyo's passing is definitely not just a loss to us here at the SABC but its a loss to his family, friends and I would say South Africa," she said.
"Vuyo was one of our pillars, a talented man, passion [sic], and also a motivator to young journalists,'' Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO) said to SABC Television News.
"It's a huge loss," said Jimi Matthews, the acting head of news at the SABC. "Vuyo had so much to offer - still. He gave so much of himself. Our condolences go to his family and friends and there's very little one can say in times like this to relieve the pain."
