Veteran radio star Bob Mabena has died after suffering a cardiac arrest

Radio and TV veteran Bob Mabena has died after suffering a cardiac arrest on Monday.
News of his death was confirmed in a statement to TshisaLIVE.
“It is with deep grief and pain that we announce that POWER 98.7 Breakfast Host, Mr Bob Mabena passed away this afternoon, Monday 10 August 2020, from cardiac arrest,” it read.
It added that the Mabena family was “coming to terms with his passing” and respectfully requested the public to afford them the appropriate space to mourn.
With a career that spans over three decades, Mabena was known for hosting a variety of television shows and for his radio tenures at Metro FM, Kaya FM and Highveld Stereo.
Mabena burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of just 19 when he landed the afternoon drive show on Radio Bophuthatswana (Radio Bop). Most recently he was a morning drive show host on Power 98.7.
He started a TV career, hosting music show On the Beat, Surf Pick a Box game show and the popular Studio Mix with Melanie Son (now Bala).
Mabena recently lost his grandmother to Covid-19 and took to social media to pay tribute to her.
Tributes to the star flooded social media on Monday.
Among them was actress Pearl Thusi, who wrote: “As soon as we thought this year couldn’t get any worse ... Bob Mabena passed away. Rest in peace, Mr Mabena.”
Marah Louw on Bob Mabena: ‘You don’t expect someone you know closely to suddenly be gone’
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Bob Mabena has killed sleep. He will never sleep again. One of the last people who was the FACE OF RADIO!!! pic.twitter.com/sqkkGbhYwk
— Manaks Was Here!!! (@ButiManamela) August 10, 2020
Bob Mabena?????????? Nooooooo I can’t believe this? My condolences to his family and friends💔 I can’t believe it #RIPBobMabena
— Lalla Hirayama (@Lalla_Hirayama) August 10, 2020
The legend has fallen. Rest In Peace uncle Bob Mabena. 💔#RIPBobMabena pic.twitter.com/uFenPeLMBF
— Andile Miya (@Ashiington) August 10, 2020
Bathong I loved how he hosted last year’s #DSTVdelicious
— Bakang Kutlwano (@BeeKayMash) August 10, 2020
Bathong Bob Mabena mara. Ah #RIPBobMabena💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/yzvVBhVlL2
Grew up tryna mimic you voice from #radiobop days, Radio Royalty. RIP Bob Mabena 🙏🏿 🕊 pic.twitter.com/puU8JDlUK7
— Half Man/Half Amazing (@WebsterSibanda5) August 10, 2020
Can 2020 end already 😭😢😭. This is too much Rest In Peace Bob Mabena pic.twitter.com/4vdq6L7dJl
— #Phuthi_Mash (@Phuthi_Mash) August 10, 2020
Rest in peace uncle Bob Mabena.... I'm so shocked pic.twitter.com/RdSN59S2yp
— Millicent _Makhado (@millicentmakhad) August 10, 2020
