Ashwin Willemse during the infamous studio incident. Photo: Archives
Ashwin Willemse during the infamous studio incident. Photo: Archives
Following his sensational on-air walk-out last month, SuperSport have concluded that Ashwin Willemse was not a victim of racism and cleared fellow analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha of any wrong-doing.
The 50-page report states that their conduct did not amount to racist behaviour. Willemse himself didn’t participate in the investigation, so none of his input has been featured. It’s left South Africans divided on the subject:
I feel sorry for the “I am Ashwin Willemse” brigade and especially those who have been speaking ill about their employers in the Corporate SA sector, more specifically for spewing WHITE HATRED,
we are all trying our very best to build a non-racial SA!✊????????????
— Zola Ndwandwe (@ZolaNdwandwe) June 19, 2018
How can Supersport make findings that there was not racism in the case of #AshwinWillemse despite him not taking part? Supersport could have just said the report is inconclusive due to the fact that the other party was not there to establish the fact.
— Not Adv Ngcukaitobi (@AdvNgcukaitobi) June 19, 2018
The investigation was carried out by an Independent Advocate who conducted multiple interviews with Mallett, Botha, the anchor on the day as well the SuperSport Rugby crew. So what can we expect to see from here?
Ashwin Willemse: What happens next?
As we covered earlier, SuperSport will follow the recommendations set out by the panel. These include counselling sessions involving all three of them.
The report is also being sent to the SA Human Rights Commission for further review. Both Mallett and Botha are expected to make their return to the channel next weekend.
But what of Willemse’s future? That’s still to be fully decided. If he is satisfied with the findings of the inquiry, it looks like SuperSport will happily welcome him back.
As Sport24 report, Gideon Khobane – the broadcaster’s CEO – has left the door open for Willemse to resume his duties as an analyst for the channel.
“I still see a place for Ashwin at SuperSport and I would very much like to engage further with him to understand his viewpoint. It’s important for us to not close the door on Ashwin because we still believe he has a lot of value to add.”
Willemse’s silence has made it very difficult to gauge what his next move will be. Before the investigation, he claimed that he felt “patronised” by the panel, who he claims were dictating when it was his turn to speak.
It remains to be seen whether the trio can bury the hatchet together. Khobane has also stated he will make another attempt to talk with Willemse and seems very keen to get him back on our screens.
