For anyone who is a fan of the SABC Nguni news, there is no bigger name than veteran broadcaster and isiXhosa-speaking new anchor, Noxolo Grootboom. Back in March 2021, Grootboom received her flowers when she confirmed that she was officially retiring from news anchoring with a career that spanned over 37 years.
At the time, there was some contention about her retiring. This is as the SABC at the time was facing a number of veteran and respected broadcasters exiting the Auckland Park headquarters. When Grootboom’s exit was announced, it was believed that SABC should have not fired or allowed her to retire. But instead, the national broadcaster should have used her to inspire younger aspiring isiXhosa-speaking news readers.
However, as Grootboom enjoyed her first news anchor position after joining the Newzroom Afrika team, it seems that many wondered why the channel was not “opening the industry.”
Noxolo Grootboom’s return to news met with mixed emotions
Newzroom Afrika is touted as the only black-owned television news channel in South Africa. The channel launched back in 2019 and its news bulletin was all in English. However, in February 2023, the channel announced expanding its offering to include Nguni news, specifically, isiZulu and isiXhosa.
With the announcement, the channel also confirmed the return of Noxolo Grootboom to the newsroom. However, when her position was explained, it was that Grootboom was hired by the channel as the editorial advisor and talent mentor for the new Nguni-speaking news anchor.
SPOTTED: Noxolo Grootboom
Veteran news anchor is at the launch of Nguni news on @MzansiWethu courtesy of @Newzroom405 in Sandton.
Hence there was confusion on Tuesday, 28 February 2023, when viewers tuned in and found Grootboom in front of the camera reading news. Viewers seemed to believe that instead of using the veteran news anchor, that the channel should have rather trusted the position with new talent to further “open up the industry.”
But the matter has since been clarified. This is as Grootboom is not a permanent news anchor for the channel. However, it is believed that she was standing in for a news anchor that was on maternity leave. A news anchor that went on to share how pleased she was that upon returning to work, that she was welcomed by the veteran and legendary broadcaster.
While this might have calmed the matter for some. It seems that there are still some viewers and social media users that are in their feelings over the matter. This is as they have suggested that the channel could have used someone other than Grootboom to fill the position for the news anchor that was on maternity leave.
My first day back from leave and I come back straight into the arms of Mama Noxolo Grootboom. Catch her this evening at 19h00 anchoring the IsiXhosa bulletin for @IzindabaZethu brought to you by @Newzroom405. pic.twitter.com/YAP9fTleck
However, there are those that are steadfast in the fact that Grootboom was the ideal stand-in. More so as she knows the team behind the camera and actually does have close to a decade's worth of experience reading isiXhosa news to millions of South Africans every day since the late 1980s.
A fact which is reiterated by Grootboom's signature, “Nginithanda nonke emakhaya,” is still one of the most iconic news anchor outros in South Africa to date.
