The controversial, outgoing Group Executive of SABC news and current affairs, Snuki Zikalala, claims some newspaper editors were against him because he was a black man running a huge organisation.
Zikalala, whose contract with the broadcaster has not been renewed, made his claim during a farewell interview on SAfm Radio's After Eight Debate.
When he was asked by the interviewer, Tim Modise, why he had not been given "positive coverage" by some newspapers in the past, he replied that he did not want to make a racial issue of the matter.
Zikalala said the issue was more ideological than racial, but he then launched into his views about attitudes of some people towards blacks and "darkies".
He said such attitudes had caused the SABC to pull out of the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef).
"We felt we could not sit with people who were not genuine. Not all Sanef members are like that. A few black editors support my views. I wouldn't like to call this a racist issue, but we have a few editors who don't appreciate what I am doing.
"They feel that a black man cannot run such a huge organisation. A black man cannot have the good and courageous ideas that I have.
"They have something against me, but I don't care. I am focused on what I am doing, and I make sure it does happen and it works."
He said he had foreseen the SABC board's decision not to renew his contract.
"That is not to say there was a conflict between me and the board. The board acknowledges my contribution. The board has been very good and fair to me."
He said the board felt it wanted to replace him with somebody who had fresh ideas.
Zikalala, who started his journalistic career in Bulgaria, spoke of the "huge, phenomenal task" he had at the SABC.
He had been responsible for the news programmes of 19 radio and four television stations, and also the current affairs programmes of 12 radio stations.
He was in charge of about 1 300 people - 800 permanent staff and 500 freelance workers.
Zikalala said he had received a number of job offers since the board announced its decision not to renew his contract, but felt he was tired of working for other people and might decide to do something on his own.
Zikalala ended his farewell appearance on radio in a typically controversial manner, being both praised and attacked by callers to the station.
He was praised by a few for his dedication, but attacked by others for his allegedly biased support of former president Thabo Mbeki, for "insulting" ANC president Jacob Zuma, unfairly supporting COPE and trying to destroy the PAC.