Johannesburg - Leanne Manas, who co-hosted Morning Live with Vuyo Mbuli for nine years, says she will continue with the popular programme.
Manas is contemplating the sad reality of presenting the SABC2 show without her close colleague, who died on Saturday night.
She said she had been in a state of shock and disbelief since hearing the news.
“But reality will hit me when I get to the office and see the empty chair. I don’t know whether I will be able to do the show, but I will try to do my best. I know that if it had been me, Vuyo would have gone on and done it. It is a show and it must go on,” she said on Sunday.
On Monday morning, Manas broke down and cried on camera at the start of the programme.
In a Morning Live interview with Manas on Monday, SABC CEO Lulama Mokhobo said Mbuli has left a legacy for the country's youth.
“He leaves a tremendous legacy and I think for the young people that have watched him and followed him… this is a time for them to say 'I potentially could be the next Vuyo'… somebody who is completely fearless,” Mokhobo said.
“He was somebody who was so dedicated and professional. It didn't matter what it was, if Vuyo had to do it, he did it with absolutely the best of his ability,” Mokhobo said.
Mokhobo said a memorial service would be held at the SABC on Wednesday, and that the Mbuli family had informed the broadcaster that his funeral would be held on Friday.
Details of the two events would be released later in the week.
Hours before his death, Mbuli had gone with his 13-year-old son to his school, St John’s College in Houghton, in the morning to watch him play soccer.
Mbuli said on Twitter: “Watching my son play schoolboy soccer. One of life’s great pleasures.”
When the game ended, Mbuli, his son and a friend drove to Bloemfontein for the Cheetahs versus Reds rugby match in the evening.
Mbuli kept updating his followers via Twitter at the stadium. “8 mins gone in 2nd half. 21-6 Cheetahs lead” was his last tweet.
Two minutes later, he took off his jacket, clutched his chest and collapsed, according to family spokeswoman Rowena Baird.
A doctor who was in the nearby suite at the stadium was called and desperately tried to revive Mbuli.
Baird said the doctor was unable to resuscitate him.
Paramedics rushed the TV anchor to the Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic, but doctors were unable to save his life. Mbuli was declared dead at 9.50pm.
Baird said it was not known how much of the battle to save his father the young Mbuli saw.
“He is devastated. His whole family are devastated, this is a difficult time for them,” Baird said.
The cause of Mbuli’s death was not known as a post-mortem was yet to be done.
Mbuli was a fitness fanatic who had run many races, including the Comrades, the Two Oceans and the Soweto Marathon.
He was going to give the upcoming Comrades a miss. “He had a chest infection and was being careful,” Baird added.
On Sunday, Manas said she and Vuyo were like a married couple.
They had their first cup of coffee together every morning and also read the papers together.
“We clicked, there was something magical about us. We disagreed but never argued.
“He even taught me to do the ‘Sharp! Sharp!’ (township slang for ‘so long’ and Mbuli’s signing-off signature).
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said he thought someone was making a silly joke when he heard that Mbuli had died.
“But it turned out to be true. It’s still a shock to everyone. People have been calling me, saying he is one of the healthiest people they knew.
“All we can do is think of his family and send our condolences,” Kganyago added.
SA National Editors’ Forum chairman Nic Dawes said the organisation was saddened by Mbuli’s death.
“Sanef members, like the rest of society, are still in shock about the passing on of ‘Mr Sharp Sharp’, as the amiable TV and radio personality was known. He was also known for his hard work, dedication and ability to keep his cool under pressure,” Dawes said of the much-loved and respected journalist.
The Star