Hlaudi Motsoeneng has once again raised the ire of the South African Indian community, this time over comments he made about changing the name of Lotus FM.
The SABC head of corporate services told the Tsonga traditional leadership on Wednesday that he was “tired” of names like Lotus FM which did not represent “our culture”.
Motsoeneng angered Indians earlier this year when the 90% music quota he was instrumental in introducing on SABC radio stations caused Lotus FM to lose listeners, who were unimpressed with the new playlisting of music.
The Mercury tried to reach SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago for comment on Thursday, but he had not answered phone calls or responded to SMSes by last night.
Prominent members of the Indian community told The Mercury on Thursday that Motsoeneng’s proposal was “undemocratic”.
“There is no way we will accept SABC changing the name of Lotus, which has cultural significance,” Pietermaritzburg businessman Sunny Gayadin said. The lotus flower is a symbol of Hinduism, and many of the religion’s gods are linked to it. It is associated with spirituality and prosperity.
“The constitution is clear, in its entirety, that cultural and religious tolerance must be accommodated by all race groups and religions,” Gayadin said.
Former eThekwini Speaker Logie Naidoo said: “Hlaudi must come to realise the mandate of Lotus is to play Indian music and to air vernacular music, just like the Zulu and Venda (stations). There must be a strong argument (made) to change the name.”
He said Indians were still upset over the negative effect the imposed music quota had on Lotus FM.
“The policy flopped and listenership dropped. They tried the same thing with (lifestyle TV show) Mela (formerly Eastern Mosaic) by trying to make it into a Top Billing-like show and I don’t think that went well.”
Ashwin Desai, of the University of Johannesburg’s sociology department, said: “It would appear to me that he obviously feasted on a lotus plant,” because he was deluded
“He is not going to be able to change that name.”
Desai said the lotus flower was originally from Egypt. “It is part of the African soil.”
The president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, Ashwin Trikamjee, said: “The issue will require a thorough debate and consultation with the community it (Lotus FM) serves.
“This is not a matter for traditional leaders to decide. We will ensure that this (the thorough debate) happens, as the SABC is the national broadcaster, serving the needs of all sections of the South African society.”
The Mercury