Today, the 1st of November 2018, marked a historic milestone in the South African TV news and current affairs arena – On this day, 19 years ago, Morning Live on SABC first went on-air with Tracy Going and the now late Vuyo Mbuli as hosts.

I know of many people who can attest to the fond memories they can relate of waking up to this show, while preparing to go to school, work or to any destination outside their home. I was 9 years old back then and never followed news as much.

But I will tell you why I am celebrating the show’s milestone – it’s the undisputed longest-running and most successful morning TV show of its kind in the country.

In a world where there is constant war and greed for change in the battle for numbers in TV viewing, here is a show that has a simple yet delicate formula and format that they have been executing boldly and uncompromisingly well and with ease for many years and are still going strong at it.

They are in the simple business of furnishing South Africans with everything that they need to know about their country and world before they make their various destinations out of their homes. This show has been delivering hardcore news, interviews of prolific individuals, organizations and newsmakers from all walks of life and in the mix, provide viewers with the latest updates in sport, business, weather and entertainment.

It’s consistency speaks for itself and although it has rebranded its look and feel over the years to remain current, fresh and adapt to change, it has still stuck to its primary mandate by being the most preferred choice for South Africans to welcome their day. While other similar shows chop and change anchors and their names, this gentle giant has weathered all forms of storms and seems to be sailing and stable when one probes the number of viewers it strongly commands.

While many shows alike also have come and gone and with some still attempting to dethrone it from its top spot on TV, shows such as eTV’s Morning Edition, Sunrise, The Expresso Show and the latest entrant in the mix – The Morning Show come to mind, nothing seems to be distracting this giant from soaring and deserving of the honour and title of being the longest-running and most successful morning TV news show in the country.

Many countries have their formidable and first class morning TV anchors but we will always have the ideal, memorable and legendary TV news anchor duo in Leanne Manas and Vuyo Mbuli. And although some new faces have been added throughout its illustrious reign to assist Leanne in steering the show accordingly, it’s heart-warming to see that the core aspect of the show has not seemed to have replaced Vuyo, even in our hearts. Broadcasting legend, Leanne Manas is still flying the high at the helm of the show.

19 years old and still current, relevant and the most effective way to impact and communicate to all South Africans at once. If it happens on Morning Live, chances are, most South Africans will have seen it or will know about it.

To Leanne Manas and the entire team that makes the show happen, I say, waking up in the odd and often unfriendly hours of the morning to inform South Africans about what’s happening in their world,every single day, year in and out at 6am, is not an easy task but you do it nonetheless and this milestone is proof to keep you guys going. May you all never grow weary in the wake of an ever-changing TV market infested with attracting viewers through hype, bright colors and gimmicks. Thank you for sticking with the simple formular that works.

And to the many viewers who tune into the show every single day, May you always continue to make this show your first and most-trusted choice in starting your day and may your contributions to the success of it never go unnoticed.

Congratulations #SABCMorningLive

#19YearsOld&StillGoingStrong

A Proudly South African product no doubt.