Photo: Twitter / TSA
Photo: Twitter / TSA
News broadcasters eNCA have found themselves in hot water with the online community of South Africa, after some viewers noticed a bizarre incident that took place on Wednesday. The channel has since been accused of showing ‘racial bias’, with regards to the politicians who were asked to put a mask on before being interviewed.
eNCA slammed for ‘mask requests’
A clip of the offending exchanges has gone viral on social media. As of Thursday morning, eNCA remains the top trending topic on Twitter. While conducting a series of interviews on the steps of Parliament, FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald can be seen discussing Tito Mboweni’s Budget for 2021 without a face covering.
Groenewald isn’t pulled up on this. However, when Nqabayomzi Kwankwa comes into shot for his reaction, the journalist in question demands that the UDM Deputy President puts his mask on. The alleged ‘double standards’ have enraged thousands of vocal South Africans – who are now claiming this is not just a simple error of judgement.
Watch: eNCA ‘pick and choose’ who must wear a mask on air
Has @eNCA said anything (apology perhaps) about a disgusting double standard we witnessed yesterday by your reporter to @UDmRevolution @N_Kwankwa is Groenewald too special to wear a mask? #eNCA #BudgetSpeech2021 pic.twitter.com/U6GkXc5mcF
— Youth Endala (@LMantaks) February 25, 2021
- A similar incident took place in the build up to SONA 2021, too
It seems like racism is a norm at???????????? #eNCA #eNCAMUSTFALL pic.twitter.com/j03e0i2o3A
— MDLoadz Sealetsa (@MDLoadz) February 25, 2021
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi gives a scathing reaction
This storm in a teacup has brewed into something much larger, however. The pressure is mounting on eNCA to issue an apology for supposedly treating some guests in a different manner to others, and EFF Commissar Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has become one of the leading voices in these protests. The political firebrand was unflinching in his reaction:
“It is NOT unconscious bias from eNCA. it’s RACISM! This is RACISM. When you say ‘unconscious’, it’s like you are racist: She doesn’t intend it, but it slips out. This is conscious, deliberate, decided upon, and seen as a normal way white people treat and relate to black people!”
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi
Has SANEF said anything on that eNCA racist drivel? pic.twitter.com/UHVJaGGMi6
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) February 25, 2021
