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.”
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.
Mam’Noxolo is an editorial advisor and talent mentor for the new initiative. #NewsOnWethu pic.twitter.com/Vu1KwnQkL2
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) February 23, 2023
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.”
Mam’ Noxolo Grootboom on channel 163 #Iindabazethu #somizigoldenjubilee #Casper #unemployment pic.twitter.com/or8NvWhnHa
— Ziyah M (@ziyah_m) February 28, 2023