Ashwin Willemse during his on-air walkout.
An independent inquiry into retired Springbok player Ashwin Willemse’s studio walkout, where he “dropped the mic” because he could not work with people who he says patronised him, has found no evidence of racism.
The inquiry was confirmed by the chief executive at the broadcaster, Gideon Khobane, who said the findings and recommendations made by advocate Vincent Maleka showed no evidence of subtle racism between Naas Botha, Nick Mallet and Willemse.
Willemse last month accused Botha and Mallet of patronising him.
The findings paint a different picture to what social media users initially chanted, which was that the walkout was racially motivated. Elements of subtle racism were what social media users believed the conflict was about.
Many prominent South Africans jumped on the bandwagon before the preliminary investigations by the broadcaster. Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Mimane said: “What @Ashwinwillemse experienced yesterday is still sadly an experience for too many South Africans. We must build an equal society, where we confine to history a system of racial superiority and inferiority. We must continue to pursue a divers South Africa howeve difficult it is.”
Ferial Haffajee wrote: “We’ve all had an #AshwinWillemse moment but maybe not all had the swag to drop the mic and walk off the set like *that* It will make quite an anthology. I’d love to hear your story.”
Former DA spokesperson Phumzile van Damme posed a question on the matter. “In a situation perceived to be one racism and you disagree, before immediately moving into defense mode, have you ever, calmly with empathy and genuinely asked: ‘I am sorry I do not understand your pain and anger please explain it to me.'”
The inquiry ruling now appears to throw a spanner in the works, with Twitter user @gumede783 saying Willemse should apologise for pulling the “race card” and be given a heavy fine.
Some users believe public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane could have done a better job.
SuperSport has made the report on the Willemse saga available to the public on their website.
Other Twitter users questioned how SuperSport could make findings without Willemse being present. “Supersport could have just said the report is inconclusive due to the fact that other party was not there to establish the fact.”
According to SuperSport, Willemse chose to not participate in the investigations. Former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s comment takes a potent jab at the inquiry.
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