Thank you South Africa for loving Bob

By Edward Tsumele

The Radio legend Bob Mabena who died on August 10 at the age of 51, was praised for his good spirited nature and love he had for fellow South Africans, friends and family.

At a memorial services held at PowerFM offices in Houghton yesterday, August 13m where Mabena  anchored its breakfast show, his former boss Given Mkhari summed up what the late radioman, who died of cardiac arrest on August 10 gave to South Africa and what he received in return when he said: “Bob gave one thing and that is L.O.V. . and what did his family, friends, colleagues and South Africans give him. South Africans gave him love in return. Even the naughtiest people on social media had nothing negative to say about Bob other than to give him love.

Thank South Africa. Ha nkhensa (We than you in XiTsonga),” Mkhari said. Mkhari is the chairman of PowerFM and was initially ironically given a break by Mabena on Metro FM working as a stringer from the US, feeding his reports into Mabena’s show at Metro FM.

Speaker after speaker that included his physician  Dr.Tiny Mhinga, fellow broadcasters and colleagues who included Melanie Bala, Thabiso Tema and Nothemba Madumo, all had a good word to say about the legendary radioman.

Ringo Madlingozi performed a specially composed song live, accompanied by jazz guitarist Kunle Ayo, who played the guitar while Ringo played drums and provided vocals to the tribute song.

According to Mkhari and Dr. Mhinga, Mabena was discharged from hospital on the very same Monday  that he died. When he was discharged Mabena reportedly was in high spirits and was looking forward to go home, only to return a few minutes later when complications to his health developed while he was on his way home, being driven by his wife in the company of their young son.

Mabena will be send to his final resting place on Saturday.