Just reading that headline must have given you a shock -
Ruda Landman leaving
Carte Blanche is about as likely as Robert Mugabe admitting his fondness for gay Englishmen.
But it's true. Not the Mad Bob bit - the bit about Ruda. She's outta here.
After almost 19 years as co-anchor of Carte Blanche, Landman has decided not to renew her contract with M-Net and show producers Combined Artists.
She will leave the top-rated actuality programme at the end of June.
Ruda joined the Carte Blanche team along with fellow presenter
Derek Watts on 21 August 1988, when the late Bill Faure launched the show.
Now, almost two decades later, she wants to explore other possibilities.
"Carte Blanche has given me opportunities I could not have found in any other job," said Landman in a press statement.
"I experienced the dramatic changes in the country from up close; I travelled in Africa and beyond; I talked to people from all walks of life about joy, anger, exhilaration and grief; I worked with colleagues who shared the ideal of making the best product possible in every instance.
"I will miss the programme and the people intensely, but it is time to leave the comfort zone and see what's out there."
Whoa - hang on there, Ruda. You know perfectly well what's out there - all the scumbags and confidence tricksters and corrupt officials you've helped bust over the last two decades.
You sure you wanna do this?
Apparently she does. According to Carl Fischer, M-Net's Head of Original Programmes, Ruda's departure will leave a significant gap in the local television industry.
"We're sad to see her go" he said. "Ruda has become one of South Africa's best-known and respected television personalities and her forthright and insightful reportage earned her and Carte Blanche numerous top awards.
"She will be enormously successful at whatever she decides to do. Who knows, perhaps there may even be future possibilities at M-Net."
In other words: you want a job, Ruda, you've got it.
According to Carte Blanche executive producer George Mazarakis, Ruda's presence and unique talents were vital to the success of the programme.
"She leaves behind a vibrant legacy of exceptional journalism. She honed the skills of many of the journalists and presenters who will continue to work on the show," he said.
"With Derek at the helm, we'll be building on what she invested in Carte Blanche and strive to maintain our position as M-Net's most-watched programme."
Well... not quite the
most-watched programme on M-Net, George. That would be
Egoli. But certainly the most-watched encrypted time programme.
Ruda will not be replaced with a new anchor, according to M-Net.
Carte Blanche will dedicate a programme to her at the end of June. This special will revisit the most dramatic, life-changing and humorous stories she worked on.
"We'll make a point of celebrating her career, because she has brought us exceptional memories," said Mazarakis.
So that's it. No more Ruda. We can actually hear the collective sigh of relief from the less savoury members of South African society.
We can't possibly picture her doing anything else, so it will be fascinating to see where she ends up.
All the best from TVSA, Ruda. Thanks, goienaand, en hamba kahle.