S. Africa president defers COVID-19 address for retiring newscaster's final bow

South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa postponed his COVID-19 address scheduled for today for 30 minutes in order to allow a retiring broadcaster to deliver her last presentation.

The presidency had announced the address since morning but with hours to the time, announced that the address will be delayed by 30 minutes - from 19:00 to 19:30 local time.

"The time for the address has moved from 19h00 to 19h30 to allow SABC viewers to watch veteran newsreader Noxolo Grootboom’s final bulletin as she retires after 37 years." the statement read in part.

South Africans took to social media to celebrate Noxolo Grootboom and the president for his gesture.

A viral video shows the surprised reaction to Grootboom when she heard that a presidential address on no less an issue as COVID-19 had been pushed to allow her bow out of the media scene.

Presidential address moves to 19h30 on 30 March 2021

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 19h30 today, Tuesday 30 March 2021, on developments in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The time for the address has moved from 19h00 to 19h30 to allow SABC viewers to watch veteran newsreader Noxolo Grootboom’s final bulletin as she retires after 37 years.

The President’s address follows meetings in recent days of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) and Cabinet.

As South Africa rolls out its national COVID-19 vaccination programme, government and social partners are continuously monitoring infection, treatment and patient recovery rates, as well as compliance with health regulations and other prevention measures.

The President’s address will be broadcast and streamed on a range of platforms that are accessible to South Africans and international audiences.

This is how #MamNoxoloGrootboom reacted to the news that @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa has moved his national address to ‘to allow SABC viewers to watch veteran newsreader Noxolo Grootboom’s final bulletin as she retires after 37 years’ pic.twitter.com/2YYJT46BuB

— Yolisa Njamela (@yolisanjamela) March 30, 2021