Leanne Manas ‘forced to leave’ Morning Live? SABC responds

A TikTok account, in Leanne Manas’s name, claims that she has been “forced” to leave her longtime position as co-anchor of the SABC breakfast show, Morning Live.

The posts have implied that racial discrimination is the motive behind her alleged exit.

SABC RESPONDS TO VIRAL LEANNE MANAS TIKTOK VIDEOS

On TikTok, an account bearing the name Leanne Manas has claimed that she was leaving the SABC breakfast show, Morning Live.

The account has over 20 000 followers and almost 300 000 likes, and is one of several unverified accounts that ar believed to be impersonating the TV anchor.

One of the posts reads: “Stop racism in South Africa. I’m being forced to resign from Morning Live”.

Another reads: “After 22 years of working for the SABC, I have decided to resign”

On its official platform, the SABC distanced its claims from the social media posts.

It shared: “SABC News wishes to clarify that reports circulating on social media regarding Morning Live Anchor Leanne Manas’ alleged resignation from the organisation are false. 

“We encourage the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to rely on credible sources and verified accounts for accurate updates.

SABC News wishes to clarify that reports circulating on social media regarding Morning Live Anchor Leanne Manas’ alleged resignation from the organisation are false. We encourage the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to rely on credible sources and… pic.twitter.com/oPPRkdFIAs

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 18, 2026

WHEN DID SHE JOIN THE BREAKFAST SHOW?

Leanne Manas joined Morning Live in 2004 as co-anchor alongside her late colleague, Vuyo Mbuli.

She shared on her Instagram account: “The nerves got the better of me, but as I walked onto that set, I was welcomed by the friendliest SABC crew who embraced me from the moment I arrived. Sitting next to the formidable Vuyo Mbuli, I realised I was going to be okay. 

“In fact, I was better than okay; I was on top of the world. Something snapped inside of me that day, and the passion for what I do grew so strong that I knew this was what I wanted my career to be for as long as I possibly could”.

In 2024, she marked her 20th anniversary of helming the breakfast show.

“It certainly hasn’t been easy, but it has been a privilege and honour”, she added.

In June, Leanne Manas took a short break from Morning Live to recover from ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. She returned a few weeks later.