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Vodacom lambasted for EFF ‘abusers of democracy’ image
The image was shown as part of a keynote address by one of the evening's speakers but Vodacom is taking all the heat for it.
An image at the 2018 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards which features a picture of EFF leadership and the words “abusers of democracy” | Image: Facebook
An image posted by a guest at the 2018 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards has landed network provider Vodacom in hot water after they were accused of taking a stance against the EFF.
https://twitter.com/Thabisoo_T/status/1068237357537787904
https://twitter.com/Sentletse/status/1068379009938006016
What awards are these 🤔
— Trusting The Process 🛡️ (@velile23) November 29, 2018
While most Twitter users who saw the image were quick to condemn Vodacom, others were more open to finding out the context surrounding the display of the image before judging.
I don't believe this. There are many fake news at the moment. Lets not jump into conclusions. I think…!
— tHeLiSa (@thelissa73) November 30, 2018
Sentletse diragalang golo fa? This picture doesn’t tell us the whole story. Was this not @Vodacom’s Journalist of the Year Awards?? Mare o dingalo Sinous Lines! https://t.co/nxp88XGAyZ
— Thabiso TT Tema (@ThabisoTema) November 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Spiwo/status/1068252032434405382
A Vodacom spokesperson confirmed to the Citizen that the image was shown as part of a keynote address delivered by Corruption Watch chairperson Mavuso Msimang at the awards ceremony.
“Vodacom believes in freedom of expression and would not censor Mr Msimang’s views; or those of other opinion makers. Vodacom is against discrimination and bigotry in all their manifestations, including race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and political thought,” added the spokesperson.
2/2 Vodacom is against discrimination and bigotry in all their manifestations, including race, age, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation and political thought.
— #VodacomTurns30 (@Vodacom) November 30, 2018
Many were disappointed by the brevity of the statement and EFF supporters vowed to port their numbers to other networks or to take other action against Vodacom.
They're not even apologising nor addressing the issue pic.twitter.com/uWx5BQ61ef
— White Lounge Sunninghill (@whitesunninghil) November 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Tweet_Soul/status/1068406530070978562
So @Vodacom has now declared war against a black revolution and black emancipation.
This cannot be allowed in Mzansi !!#VJOY18
— Thadishe Loyd Mashego🇿🇦 (@thadishe) November 30, 2018
Enter @Vodacom into the fray. Since when do companies enter the political space? #VJOY18
— Motsamai (@Serintlha) November 30, 2018
Time to port from vodacom to another network
— Ntsako Shivambu ka Nkomati (@ntsakosnr0) November 30, 2018
I am porting my number to Telkom bye bye Voda
— God of Thunder (@MankgeThe1st) November 30, 2018
Boycott @Vodacom
— Bayanda Gumede (@BayandaGumede) November 30, 2018
Save for a retweet of one of the original tweets posted last night and the following tweet from EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, the EFF has yet to formally address the matter.
Fighters don’t be surprised when @Vodacom gathers journalists to strategies on how to deal with EFF. It just means our fight is right where it belongs, in the belly of the beast: #WhiteMonopolyCapitalism
We would not be doing well if they were not all uniting against us #Asijiki pic.twitter.com/VHUgLgGse5
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) November 30, 2018
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