The SABC, funded by MultiChoice with hundreds of millions of rands for the establishment of its new SABC News 24-hour channel on DStv channel 404, held a launch event on Thursday afternoon in Henley Studios where the SABC CEO Lulama Mokhobo remarked that "for the first time in the history of the SABC I see bottles of real champagne".
The launch was attended by president Jacob Zuma, SABC CEO Lulama Mokhobo, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Nolo Letele, the executive chairman of MultiChoice South Africa, Imtiaz Patel, the group CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, interim SABC chairperson Zandile Tshabalala, Lesotho's prime minister Thomas Thabane, the acting head of SABC news Jimi Matthews, South Africa's new minister of communications Yunus Carrim, and soccer boss Irvin Khoza.
Imtiaz Patel and Nolo Letele were called to the podium together with Eben Greyling, the CEO of pay-TV platforms of Naspers, but while the first two appeared Eben Greyling was nowhere to be seen.
President Jacob Zuma spoke and said the SABC 24 Hour News channel "must seize the opportunity to cover South Africa beyond crime and corruption".
Lulama Mokhobo, SABC CEO, who's speech was highly melodramatic at times and lavished effusive praise on president Jacob Zuma, said the SABC took note that "the SABC cannot continue to be lumbering and blundering along".
Lulama Mokhobo thanked the matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng, saying "we've very grateful for your strange behaviour. We sometimes think: 'Is this man mad?' You're not caring who's standing in your path and you're ready to klap them. We thank you for your tenacity," said Lulama Mokhobo.
[Zandile Tshabala earlier said "sometimes I get jealous," referring to Hlaudi Motsoeneng,"he's more famous than the SABC."
"Jimi Matthews for the news team, for the unsung heroes, we know you have a tough task ahead," said Lulama Mokhobo. We also know the determination is going to carry us through - the cameramen, the journalists, the riggers - all those people working in the news room. And the channel managers who continue to make sure that we broadcast regardless of whether we're going through stormy seas," said Lulama Mokhobo.
"You made it happen even when the studios at the SABC burned down," Lulama Mokhobo said.
"Mister president, you might not be aware but you're sitting where it happened. People with sharp noses say they can still smell the smoke," said Lulama Mokhobo.
"Hlaudi Motsoeneng always throws curveballs and youre right, he is more famous than the SABC," said Imtiaz Patel.
"We're very proud to be here to finally witness the launch of the SABC News 24-hour channel," he said.
"SABC News channel gives the SABC immediate access to roughly 5 million homes, roughly 15 to 20 million viewers. This is a powerful platform from which they can garner lucrative advertising revenue - one of Hlaudi Motsoeneng's negotiating tactics," said Imtiaz Patel, calling Hlaudi Motsoeneng a "torch-bearer".
