She has been a dedicated and loved DJ and producer working tirelessly on Metro FM for over a decade. She was fresh out of university and enthusiastic when she joined the station. But after 13 years, DJ and radio producer, Prudence Mathebula, fondly known among her millions of fans as Pru Luv has left the station.

A QUIET EXIT

It has been three months since she silently left. She quietly made her exit without a fuss to focus on her mental wellness, and her health and to pursue a solo career as a DJ. A close friend revealed that the management did not take her resignation well, and she did not even get a farewell party. "You know when someone who is so reliable and committed leaves when you thought they would be around forever it gets a bit disappointing,' the insider said. "She left after such a long time and it was a bitter-sweet exit.'

BYE-BYE

Pru Luv confirmed the news to ZiMoja saying she left three months ago. "I needed to leave silently. Some people think I am still at Metro because I have been so busy and getting gigs, but it was time,' she said. "I needed to focus on my wellness. I had invested a lot of time in my work and somehow neglected my health, I gained weight, I was tired and needed a fresh start. There was no bad blood, but I needed to make the decision for myself, after being hospitalised in December and it is what my doctor advised.'

SELF CARE

The fan favourite has been very open about her struggles with mental wellness. She had in the past opened up about living with depression, anxiety and bipolar. "It took me 10 years to come out in public to speak about depression, stress, anxiety and bipolar because I didn't want to be judged or have it used against me," she said. In 2014, her mother passed on and in 2021, she lost her father. " I gained a lot of weight because of this. I was dealing with a lot." While fighting struggles to stay alive, she was judged by many for her rapid weight gain. "In most cases, when you're on the radio or seem successful, people don't see your battles. I was being body-shamed. People would comment about my weight, but nobody really took the time to realise what I was dealing with.' Pru Luv said she is at her happiest. "I have lost weight, I am feeling good, and I make time to deal with my mental wellness and I don't stress too much. Maybe I will go back to radio, who knows, but I am taking care of myself.'