The SA National Editors Forum (Sanef) says the removal of SAfm radio show host, Sakina Kamwendo from her show – midway during the Forum@8 was pure censorship by the public broadcaster.
Kamwendo had made a number of allegations about her contract during the programme. She also spoke about the difficulties SABC staff had faced in recent years and the low morale that took hold.
However, the public broadcaster has confirmed that Kamwendo had signed a new contract for a different slot and had not been fired.
Sanef Executive Director, Kate Skinner says they will take the matter up with the SABC .
“The issue was poorly handled in terms of Sakina Kamwendo’s show being removed from the air and music being played. But it felt like censorship issue when the programmer was pulled from the air and music was played. We feel like there is a lot of really good change that is happening at the SABC recently but this applied as censorship because we felt that Kamwendo should have been able to explain what was happening and why her show was ending,” she says.
Meanwhile, the SABC’s executive management has requested a full report on the incident. SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago says they are basing it on the information before them.
“… Like we are saying it is not the rights thing to cast suspicions on things like that when we don’t have all the fact. Therefore, we are saying at the present moment we will await for the full report of what really transpired, because for us it is not just a simple matter. It is a matter of understanding all the facts before us…”
Sanef believes the media industry should be supporting all women in the sector – and especially highly competent, courageous black women such as Kamwendo. “We need to ensure the diversity of voices in the industry.”
