Metro FM veteran broadcaster Grant Shakoane died on Thursday at a Joburg hospital where he had allegedly been in a serious condition for an unknown illness.
Johannesburg - Tributes pour in for former Metro FM veteran broadcaster Grant Shakoane, who died on Thursday after being hospitalised.
This news was confirmed by his friend, journalist and TV personality Tim Modise, who, just a week ago, had tweeted – asking South Africans to pray for Shakoane, who was in hospital.
In the tweet, Modise revealed that Shakoane was “in a serious condition” at a Joburg hospital, for an unknown condition.
Shakoane was affectionately known as “SHEBABADOO SHEBABOO” and his rise to fame came when he hosted a popular weekly Sunday Soul and R&B show on MetroFM in the 1980s.
Many South Africans and industry colleagues took to Twitter and other social media platforms to share condolences and pay tribute to the veteran.
His former radio station Metro FM, where he worked for many years, tweeted: “Metro FM mourns the passing of the Legendary Mr Grant Shakoane, our deepest condolences to the family, his friends, and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace. SHEBABADOO SHEBABOO your memory will live on forever.”
In a statement released by the department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Minister Nathi Mthetwa said: “Shakoane was deeply loved by many and his passing has left a void in the hearts of Sunday music lovers everywhere. This gentle Giant will forever be remembered as one of the legends of radio, someone who deeply understood that radio is a theatre of the mind. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans, may they find comfort and peace during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
702music host Kenny Maistry tweeted Shakoane’s opening intro: “A radio legend has fallen. RIPGrantShakoane 💔😭 shebabadoo shebaboo. Ever so easy and gentle on your mind, soft as a baby’s touch, this is the GS Connection, Closed Corporation with Grant Shakoane. He knew the art of theatre of the mind that is radio! Rest well my legend.“
@warrenmasemola said: “South Africa’s radio broadcasting legend. Thank you for sharing, caring & teaching ... I will forever treasure everything, voiceover, mic technique, & le botho that you carried. Condolences to the family of Grant Shakoane. “Shebabadoo Shebaboo.”
Author @MandyCollins tweeted: “When I worked at True Love magazine, I produced a half-hour radio slot for the magazine on Grant Shakoane’s show on Metro FM. He was such a gentle, kind man, and I loved how, if you asked him how he was, he’d drawl: ’I’m together.’ So sad to hear he has died. RIP Grant Shakoane.”
A fan of the Sunday show @NMafodi tweeted: “Lovers of good music knows we lost a legend. He was the voice. Sad time indeed. Loved him. RIP Grant Shakoane.”
Details around his death are still unknown at this stage.
The Star