JOHANNESBURG – SABC’s longest-serving international news editor, Sophie Mokoena, signed off after 31 years of service during a live broadcast on Thursday, 17 July, coinciding with SABC News’ 75th anniversary celebrations.
Mokoena, who started her broadcasting journey on Lesedi FM, later became a parliamentary reporter before moving to the politics desk. Over the years, she became one of the most recognisable faces in South African television news.
During her farewell appearance on Morning Live, Mokoena reflected on some of the key moments that shaped her career, mentioning her coverage of South Africa’s former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki as life-changing experiences.
She also mentioned other major events she covered, including the Covid-19 pandemic, the fall of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, an exclusive interview with him, the African Union’s launch in Durban attended by Muammar Gaddafi, and international stories such as the election of Namibia’s first female president and the election victory of Donald Trump in 2016.
Mokoena said she was proud of her ability to predict Trump’s win ahead of the 2016 US elections and his potential political comeback.
Morning Live executive producer Megan Lubke paid tribute to Mokoena during the farewell broadcast, praising her dedication and work ethic.
At the end of the show, Mokoena was presented with a portrait to mark her contribution. She thanked her supporters in South Africa, across the African continent, and globally.
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