Luyolo Mkentane
JOHANNESBURG: Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the controversial and divisive figure at the epicentre of the SABC pickets, has been dismissed as an opportunist for claiming the “90% local content” agenda to be his brainchild.
The SACP lashed out at Motsoeneng for using the quota to “divide workers in the creative industries and to show confusion among the public”.
SACP second deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila described Motsoeneng as someone who was “strongly opposed” to increasing local content on SABC TV and radio stations. Mapaila explained that the rule was their brainchild, and that they had called for its implementation during their march to the broadcaster’s Auckland Park headquarters on October 21, 2012.
“It is now the self-same personality cult manifesting itself in the person of Hlaudi Motsoeneng who plays the hero on the moral high-horse, whereas he is in fact a deceitful tyrant abusing the plight of the creative workers’ industry while riding the donkey of despotism.”
Picketers outside the SABC headquarters campaigned to force Motsoeneng to resign within seven days, and for the entire SABC board to follow suit.
They were joined by civil society organisations including the SOS Coalition, Freedom of Expression Institute and the Right2Know Campaign, among others.
A group of Motsoeneng’s supporters descended on SABC Radio Park, where they were given permission to picket. Motsoeneng’s supporters taunted the picketers.
They carried placards declaring their support for the SABC strongman while police officers seemed to struggle to separate the two groups, who almost exchanged blows.
SA Arts and Culture Youth Forum president Romeo Ramuada said they were behind Motsoeneng and the entire SABC board. He characterised Motsoeneng as their saviour because artists had been sidelined for the past 22 years.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said: “In terms of the Gatherings Act, when permission is granted for a protest that means the protest is protected.”