Local artists say: Hands off Hlaudi
AUCKLAND PARK - The South African Communist Party protest outside SABC's offices interrupted by local artists.
Protests resumed outside the SABC offices in Auckland Park where SACP protesters were confronted by local artists who protested in support of Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Chief Operating Officer of the SABC.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) and the SOS Coalition protested in support of civil societies, such as the Right2Know Campaign, against censorship. The SACP addressed the crowds and read out a memorandum, which asks for Motsoeneng to step down within seven days. The memorandum also asked for the immediate lift of the suspension on journalists and the scrapping of SABC’s ‘illegally revised’ editorial policies.
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However, before the SACP was finished reading their memorandum, local artists appeared on the scene in support of Motsoeneng and carried placards which said ‘Hands off Hlaudi’ and ‘You touch Hlaudi, You touch SA artists.’
#HandsoffHlaudi is the voice of the artists outside #SABC as the SAPC continues to deliver their memorandum pic.twitter.com/oZvZ6uudge
— Lindokuhle Xulu (@LindokuhlXulu1) July 6, 2016
Singing loud and proudly just next to the SAPC meeting. Singing in support of Hlaudi outside the #SABC pic.twitter.com/2reNAXmsQP
— Lindokuhle Xulu (@LindokuhlXulu1) July 6, 2016
Artists spoke out in support of Motsoeneng’s decision that 90% of content should be local, as they believe it is in their best interest. The SACP said they are not against local content, they only believe censorship of content reflects apartheid policies.
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Police stepped in and stood between the two groups of protesters even though both sides were peaceful. Around 2pm, the SACP finished reading their memorandum and their crowds disbursed. The #HandsoffHlaudi protesters stayed on afterwards.
Related stories: #SABC protests to continue this week
