Cape Town - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) presenters decided to deliver a spoof on the viral on air gaffe between two Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) anchors.
In a video widely shared on social media platforms, NBC news anchor Elmarie Kapunda introduced the sports presenter Jesica, making a brief reference to the story to follow.
A combative Jesica objected to the apparently off-script introduction, stating: "No, we are not going to do that. You are just going to greet me and say: Take it away."
A brief silence followed, before Kapunda informed her colleague: “Jesica, we are live."
Another awkward silence ensued, before the live shot was cut and the channel went to a commercial.
What’s going on with Jessica? LMFAOOOO pic.twitter.com/xAtvhntbLW
— Shut It All Down (@ShadowsOfWolf_) June 9, 2021
While the who incident has been trending on Twitter, and the Jesica in question has apologised and cleared the air on the matter. She did add that despite the seeming tension, she was on good terms with her colleague.
“There’s no any beef between us, my colleague forgot the script and I was just trying to correct her but I forgot we were live.”
There’s no any beef between us, my colleague forgot the script and I was just trying to correct her but I forgot we were live 😭😭💔
— Guess who (@Jesica__s) June 9, 2021
That’s it
In their own spoof of the moment, two SABC anchors, Sakina Kamwendo and Vaylen Kirtley re-enacted it after discussing the trending topic in their morning breakfast show.
“Sakina.. er...I understand the Covid-19 cases have been resurging in the country? South Africa in the throws of a third wave?”
Kamwendo quickly cut in with, “No Vaylen. We’re not going to do that, just say my name and then take it away...”
Kirtley added: “Sakina, we’re live”
The two anchors then also added in the awkward pause as seen in the original clip.
SABC this morning 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2L4AbGfv5D
— Aluteni (@Aluteni_) June 10, 2021
Twitter weighed in and said that while the moment was a bit cheesy, it still brought smiles to their faces this morning.
We’re always making time for jokes, and so our country is a mess...? 👀🤷🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/6aXoeOgY0o
— Refilwe Moloto (@RefilWest) June 10, 2021
😭Jessica the remake #nbcnews #Jessica https://t.co/2grgVbxjyU
— WeLiveNBC (@fmb_royal) June 10, 2021
we take nothing seriously in this country 😂😂😂 https://t.co/orGsM9X96H
— Didi Mmusi ✨💙 (@Dineo_em) June 10, 2021
Why is this better than the original 😭😂😂😂 https://t.co/DBx2I8Hbua
— the feminist. (@MhakaTinatswe) June 10, 2021
I would have been shocked if my people didn't try to do this. But I didn't think it would be SABC. It's funnier cos it's them.
— Obakeng Van Dyk (@ObakengvanDyk) June 10, 2021
Our elders must have been shocked. Some of them probably wrote to BCCSA already. 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/Dbml6WPC9I
South Africans don’t deserve the internet 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/Ez87V0nZzc
— Albertina Kashuupulwa (@AlberBetty) June 10, 2021
Oh my god I love this so much 🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/eMLij2jsio
— CasualGamerSA (@casualgamer_sa) June 10, 2021
🤣🤣🤣🤣 I hate load shedding, now I have missed out... https://t.co/CwsTyZjm4D
— For Shizzle my Wizzle 🌷 (@BlackroseShazy) June 10, 2021
Sabc recreated Jessica..... We are a comedy as a nation
— Lufuno Vincent (@Chindubi01) June 10, 2021
😂😂😂
No guys 😭 first eNCA did an exclusive with Spider-Man and now SABC is doing a Jessica Challenge💀💀💀 our country is not real😂 https://t.co/XASZhl5W3r
— Sole's Burner (@NotSoletheDJ) June 10, 2021