Jacaranda FM backs Tumi Morake, praises her for her attitude

In a statement sent out on Thursday night, the company that owns Jacaranda FM, Kagiso Media, made their support of host Tumi Morake clear.

The group’s CEO, Mark Harris. said that their radio, digital and television assets were meant to provide a platform for people to express themselves.

“The environment in which we operate means we engage with constituencies that have vastly different positions and opinions.

He said that through dialogue they wished to bring people together.

“Our aim is to continue to strive to bridge the deep divides that threaten society and South Africa rather than perpetuating or enabling further division. We believe that the views of all segments of society must be heard so that all stakeholders can recognise and address the issues that we face as a nation. This will help to build unity in this country, because the more media ignores the issues, the more the political environment will thrive on racial division rather than critical societal and economic dynamics.

“Kagiso Media will resist any form of racial or political bias and will not give in to intimidation or be held to ransom by any political grouping. Even within our company, the diversity in demographics and political leanings will continue to create debate, and this is encouraged.

“Kagiso Media must congratulate Tumi Morake for not just expressing a legitimate point of view on the impact and result of Apartheid, but also having the willingness to engage and listen to contrary views. She does this despite criticism, intimidation and threats from some parties in our society.

“As a media company, Kagiso Media is determined to engage all stakeholders in order to build racial and social harmony, without fear or favour. This is the role of a media company and the values that have allowed us to build our brand and reputation in this country.

“Strong leadership is required to build a united South Africa. There are few leaders who are not tainted by political agendas, but with a free media we have the opportunity to remove the barriers that prevent us from building a harmonious non-racial society.”

Morake had earlier alleged on air, providing a metaphor for what had happened during apartheid and the period of reconciliation that followed, that white people had been like a bully on the playground who had stolen a bicycle from a black child, and instead of being punished for the theft, they now had to share the bike and play together.

Morake has said she’s been receiving “abuse” from angry listeners. She said she would not apologise for being “pro-black” and that it didn’t mean she was “anti-white”.

Solidarity started a #TooFarTumi campaign and handed over a memorandum to Jacaranda FM last Friday. They accused her of abusing her platform for personal reasons.

Although Solidarity called for “remedial action” against Morake, it said it was not calling for a boycott of the station.

Some advertisers have, however, pulled their ads.