Leanne Manas has disputed viral claims that she quit SABC 2’s Morning Live. The breakfast TV show anchor made headlines this week over a TikTok account’s unverified claims.
LEANNE MANAS SHUTS DOWN FAKE NEWS
After trending on social media over the last week, Leanne Manas addressed rampant speculation about her “departure” from Morning Live.
She said live on air from the SABC studios: “I’m still here and proudly so with the Morning Live team.
“Please disregard those conflicting reports. There is so much disinformation out there, it’s absolutely frightening…It’s crazy!”
On her Facebook account, Leanne Manas emphasised that the viral videos circulating on TikTok were untrue.
She shared: “Not going to waste too much time on the fake news doing the rounds about me, but just to clear things up…
“I have absolutely NOT resigned from the SABC! I’m very much still part of the public broadcaster and will be back on your screens tomorrow after a beautiful week off!
“And while I’m at it, every TikTok account claiming to be me is FAKE. I have never posted a single thing on that platform”.
On its official platform, the SABC also distanced itself from the viral posts.
It shared: “SABC News wishes to clarify that reports circulating on social media regarding Morning Live Anchor Leanne Manas’ alleged resignation from the organisation are false.
“We encourage the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to rely on credible sources and verified accounts for accurate updates”.
OVER TWO DECADES ON MORNING LIVE
Leanne Manas joined Morning Live in 2004 as co-anchor alongside her late colleague, Vuyo Mbuli.
She shared on her Instagram account: “The nerves got the better of me, but as I walked onto that set, I was welcomed by the friendliest SABC crew who embraced me from the moment I arrived. Sitting next to the formidable Vuyo Mbuli, I realised I was going to be okay.
“In fact, I was better than okay; I was on top of the world. Something snapped inside of me that day, and the passion for what I do grew so strong that I knew this was what I wanted my career to be for as long as I possibly could”.
In 2024, she marked her 20th anniversary of helming the breakfast show.
“It certainly hasn’t been easy, but it has been a privilege and honour”, she added.
In June, Leanne Manas took a short break from Morning Live to recover from ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. She returned a few weeks later.