JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 22: Ashwin Willemse during the 2017 Super Rugby Season launch at SuperSport Studios, Multichoice City on February 22, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Ashwin Willemse sheds more light on infamous studio walk-off [video]
Former Bok winger Ashwin Willemse has shed more light on hat led to him walking out of the Supersport studios in May this year.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 22: Ashwin Willemse during the 2017 Super Rugby Season launch at SuperSport Studios, Multichoice City on February 22, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)
Former Springboks winger Ashwin Willemse has bared all regarding what had happened in the lead-up to his infamous on-air walk-out earlier this year, in an interview with TimesLIVE.
While working as a pundit for pay-channel Supersport, Willemse accused colleagues Naas Botha and Nick Mallet of being patronising before leaving the set during a live broadcast in May.
The issue has since been taken to the to the South African Human Rights Commination (SAHRC), who will conduct a formal inquiry against the channel, and probe the circumstances that led to the sensational walk-off.
In the interview, Willemse said relations between himself and his colleagues had reached a point where he could not take any more.
“I reached a breaking point. The camel’s back was broken. I made a statement where I articulated what I believe is happening to me by the conduct of these two individuals, Nick and Naas,” he said.
“They infringed my dignity, and that’s what I am going to argue… hopefully, the process at the human rights commission can affirm that.”
How things between Mallett and himself had soured
He also touched on his relationship with Mallett, who he accused of lacking a backbone for going behind his back and requesting that the two of them work on different time slots.
“If you’re going to feel that way about a person, have the backbone to say it. Having a backbone would mean I could come to you and say: ‘Ashwin, I no longer want to work with you.’
“It was just confirming what I always thought to be the case, but never had evidence to prove.”
The former Springbok coach had sent an email to SuperSport’s executive producer Scott Seward in 2016, requesting that he and Willemse be separated as they “irritate the hell out of each other”, resulting in a tense working environment.
Ashwin Willemse pins hopes on SAHRC
In an interview on eNCA earlier this week, Willemse said he was confident that the Human Rights Commission would rule in his favour.
“My confidence stems not from necessarily my position or the situation but it stems from the foundation of our liberation as a democratic, non-sexist, non-racist society equal in opportunities for all South Africans… our constitution is regarded as one of the best constitutions in the world.”
