Tributes have continued pouring in for former Umhlobo Wenene radio host Lulu Haarmans.

She died a few hours later, her distraught brother, Vusumzi Haarmans, told the Dispatch on Friday.

 

 

 

Vusumzi said the family were still trying to come to terms with her death.

“We took her to hospital at about 2.30pm on Thursday. She was declared dead at about 7pm after undergoing a scan. We are really sad. It is not easy for the family,” said Vusumzi.

Haarmans, a Walter Sisulu University alumni, presented Umhlobo Wenene’s midmorning show, Khanya Gqiyazana.

She had also presented current affairs shows at Umhlobo Wenene.

She was fired by Umhlobo Wenene management in 2019 and thereafter had a stint at Keith Ngesi Radio.

Haarmans was also roped in as one of the presenters for the newly-launched online radio station, Ilizwi FM.

Ilizwi FM station manager Rev Mzukisi Faleni said her death was a heavy loss to her family, the broadcasting industry and SA.

“The people who need to be uplifted through her powerful radio messages have really lost out. Lulu was a unique radio presenter. It does not matter whether Lulu interviewed a president or at a beauty pageant, she would excel. She was a dynamic presenter,” said Faleni.

Faleni said Haarmans’ golden voice was sorely needed at a time when South Africans were faced with so much.

“The country is so depressed due to many things going on and Lulu was one of those presenters who was gifted to uplift the people, find solutions to problems and instil confidence.

“While some might need to be trained and recruited to be ready for the working environment, there are people who are born for certain jobs. Lulu was one of those people.

“Lulu was a real hope for the despondent. “Her departure from the airwaves was a great suffering for many, particularly the isiXhosa speaking people.”

Haarmans’ friend, Khuselwa Rantjie, a provincial government spokesperson, said she was a “super-talented and passionate” presenter.