It seems that the SABC’s woes are not only administrative as they are currently being lambasted, once again, for how they treat their on-air staff.
The latest conversation regarding the management style of SABC Radio began when Twitter user @KweenZaba (Zaba Simbine) asked why Fresh Breakfast host DJ Fresh (Thato Sikwane) had been suspended.
According to the Sowetan, his suspension is due to his use of foul language on air during a rant against one of the listeners in which he used the word “msunery”. He used the adaptation of the isiZulu swear word in response to the listener’s comments on his show. The word is used in general reference to female genitalia.
In a separate incident, he told a listener to stop “tweeting from his a**”.
The publication reports that a listener by the name of Daniel Mokwa laid a complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA (BCCSA) regarding what he perceived to be Fresh’s use of strong language. Mokwa also called for the public broadcaster to institute sanctions against Fresh.
“The SABC can confirm that Mr Thato Sikwane has been unscheduled on Metro FM until further notice. This is a matter between the organisation and Mr Sikwane and the SABC is not in a position to comment further,” said SABC spokesperson Vuyo Mthembu.
Acclaimed South African designer Thula Sindi responded to Simbine’s query about Fresh’s whereabouts by postulating about the relationship between management and on-air talent.
Former Metro FM show host Bonang Matheba then weighed in on the conversation without mentioning any names, adding that it was/is a “horrible place to work”.
Matheba left the station in a dramatic series of events in 2017.
READ NEXT: Bonang ‘lied’, as she was told about Metro FM changes
(Compiled by Kaunda Selisho)
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