Broadcast legend Bob “The Jammer” Kgomotso Mabena died on Monday.

His sad death was confirmed by the management of POWER 98.7 according to the radio station.

The 51-year-old radio veteran was the co-anchor of “Power Breakfast” on POWER 98.7, a commercial radio station based in Johannesburg.

POWER 98.7 posted on its site that:

“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.”

With a career on the airwaves spanning over 30 years, his passing away has shaken the whole broadcasting industry in South Africa.

Talking to Newzroom Afrika, veteran broadcaster Tim Modise Radio said that radio was Mabena’s number one passion. He came from the nightclub background and understood the industry very well, Modise emphased. However, Modise said when Mabena joined Radio Bop in the early 1990s he had left for Metro FM.

Bob Mabena was admitted to a hospital on Saturday, MSG Afrika and POWER98.7 Chairman Given Mkhari told Newzroom Afrika. He was discharged Monday morning, Mkhari intimated, and suddenly pains forced him back to hospital. Unfortunately he lost the battle… and medics pronounced him dead, Mkhari confirmed.

The Jammer started his radio journey popular radio station called Radio Bop in today’s North West province (former Boputhatswana State) in 1989. He was also involved in TV Bop before his star rose in the mainstream media.

His versatile talents saw him compose a hit song, “Philly”, featuring kwaito star Thebe. Perhaps one of the masters strokes was pulling former South Africa international and Kaizer Chiefs football club legend Doctor “16V” Khumalo off the football stakes and got giddy in one of hit tracks – “Get Funky”.

This venture won him a South African Music Award (SAMA).

He had stints with Metro FM both as a presenter of a prime slot. Mabena aslo became SABC Executive Manager for commercial radio stations: Metro FM, 5FM and GoodBope FM.

The radio personality icon made waves at Highveld Stereo in 1995 as a host and stepped up to the station’s management ranks.

In 2007, The Jammer was appointed the Director of MRC Radio in charge of Gagasi FM and Heart FM, another milestone.

He worked for Khaya FM for several years before joining POWER98.7 FM as the station’s Head of Programming, Manager and co-hosted the “Power Breakfast” slot. A slot he had made his own recent memory. 

He was one of the first presenters on SABC 1 Friday famous music show, “Studio Mix”, alongside Melanie Bala.

Mabena had a glamorous and illustrious broadcasting spell in SA. When his untimely death stole his life, he was still jamming like an ever jolly radio jock starting from the blocks to curve his/her profile.

Such was a decorated consistency of the legendary media giant who would be referred to as “Uncle Bob” by his protégés in his latter days.