Good morning and good news, South Africa! Leanne Manas – one of the country’s longest-running and most beloved news anchors – is not going anywhere!
South Africa (19 October 2026) – A video recently posted by a fake account on TikTok, claiming to be Leanne Manas – SABC Morning Live news anchor – went viral with news of her ‘resignation’ from the programme.
The post, which has since been removed from the platform, garnered thousands of views and comments from South Africans shocked that a cherished household name was reportedly leaving her post after more than two decades.
On Sunday evening, the veteran anchor took to Facebook to set the record straight. She has absolutely not resigned, and we will still be seeing her on our screens on SABC’s flagship morning show every week, delivering hard-hitting and breaking news.
As for the real reason we haven’t seen her on air this past week? She was enjoying a well-deserved holiday in Spain!
“Hi all! Not going to waste too much time on the fake news doing the rounds about me, but just to clear things up…” wrote Manas. “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!”
She also warned followers about impersonator accounts on social media.
“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. So there you have it! See you bright and early tomorrow morning!”
Leanne Manas has been an anchor on Morning Live since 2004, celebrating 20 incredible years on the show—an extraordinary tenure few broadcasters anywhere in the world can claim, alongside broadcasting legends like Riaan Cruywagen and Noxolo Grootboom.
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So, yes, one of South Africa’s most familiar and trusted faces will continue to bring us the morning news.
We are living in an era where misinformation spreads faster than ever, and perhaps this false rumour serves as a gentle reminder to always double-check sources, stick to verified channels, and take what you see on social media with a pinch of salt.
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