SABC live journalists retrenchment jobs

Photo: SABC / YouTube

Watch: SABC journalists revolt against network while live-on-air

Today’s lesson is ‘How To Fight The Power 101’: SABC workers staged a brave act of defiance on Tuesday, and the scenes played out live for viewers.

SABC live journalists retrenchment jobs

Photo: SABC / YouTube

Emotional scenes have erupted in the newsroom at Auckland Park on Tuesday afternoon, after senior journalists for SABC vowed to fight against the wave of mass retrenchments imposed upon their colleagues.

SABC staff fight back against redundancies

Chriselda Lewis, a leading figurehead of the network, was seen taking the fight right to the doorstep of the beleaguered broadcaster’s new management team. SABC has lost more than R500 million in the past financial year, and their TV licence collection revenue plummeted by 18%. However, stalwarts of the station are fighting for their rights:

Network will ‘stop issuing retrenchment letters’

Some SABC staff even threatened to lead a ‘station blackout’ on Friday. Network spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo had previously stated that reducing staff was ‘part of a difficult but necessary restructuring process’ at the public broadcaster. Some 400 workers were issued with redundancy letters this week. That has prompted an epic fightback behind the scenes.

Indeed, it seems like the SABC staff have earned some early success through their brave acts of defiance:

Watch SABC staff revolt live-on-air here

This was the incredible moment Magopeni revealed she would also defy the order for mass retrenchments, sending the SABC newsroom into raptures. These scenes were broadcast live on the rolling news channel, as emotional workers cheered and celebrated the announcement that ‘another way forward’ would be sought.

Meanwhile, Mmusi Maimane became the first political heavyweight to throw his support behind the SABC and the never-say-die attitude of their workers. The One SA Movement leader made a passionate case in support of the broadcaster:

“If we can bail out SAA, we must bail out the SABC. We need more attention and resources channeled to content creation once again at the network. The broadcasting giant of Africa must be rejuvenated. There must be zero retrenchments.”

“We often forget the critical role the SABC has played in all of our lives. I remember rushing to watch Sgudi Snayi, Ubambolwami, watching Emzini weZinsizwa, and many more unrivaled classics. Properly managed, the SABC can produce great content and generate revenue.”

Mmusi Maimane