Robert Marawa (46) is speaking out after the sports presenter was abruptly axed from SuperSport, slamming broadcasting executives who "don't know the business" and telling SuperSport to be honest with DStv subscribers, asking: "Why lie to people?"
SuperSport terminated Robert Marawa's on-air job as the face of Thursday Night Live with Marawa on SuperSport 4 (DStv 204) who was missing in action from his sports commentary show on Thursday night, with co-host Thato Moeng who anchored the show on her own and repeatedly kept saying it's "the last show" with no explanation regarding Robert Marawa's disappearance.
SuperSport said that getting rid of the veteran and beloved sports presenter is part of a refresh of its local presenters' line-up and said in a statement that "this restructure includes us not pursuing our contractual relationship with Robert Marawa".
Robert Marawa who referred to people inside SuperSport as the "mafia" in a tweet on social media alleged that he was fired due to allegations of sexual harassment within SuperSport ranks that he spoke up about. SuperSport didn't respond to a media enquiry seeking comment about these allegations.
Many DStv subscribers and SuperSport viewers have been reacting in anger, saying on social media that they have, are and will be cancelling their DStv subscriptions with MultiChoice.
In an interview on the SABC's Radio 2000 on Friday with DJ Phat Joe, Robert Marawa without mentioning any names, said "remember that a lot of the people who get employed to do the work don't know what broadcasting is".
"They get given a title to be whatever they are supposed to be but they don't know the business."
Talking about SuperSport putting out a tweet saying he had been fired earlier in the week, Robert Marawa said "tell me when earlier in the week is because the only time we sat down to talk was Wednesday at 3:30pm when the meeting was supposed to happen".
"I went in to work already half-dressed for Thursday Night Live for which I was on the running order. I have the running order. I'm due to be on the show on Thursday night. I'm on the schedule to do Champions League on 1 June. So why lie to people?"
"Remember this is a pay-per-view organisation. People are paying for a product. I didn't ask to be there. SuperSport asked me to come and join them when I did straight after the Germany World Cup - 12, 13 years ago."
"So all that it was, was 'Listen your contract has lapsed end of April. I am not going to renew your contract because I have the powers as the SuperSport CEO [Gideon Khobane] not to renew your contract'. No reasons given. Sure, no problem. 'We've transgressed a couple of things legally.' So, no problem. Cool. That is it," said Robert Marawa.
"I don't have a right to a job but you know, when your magazine shows are rated audience ratings wise - and audiences ratings are not things that are thumb-suck, they are verified - as being the top, you can't move from that to 'oh we just decided to refresh a couple of faces'. So be honest with the people."
"Like sure, they don't want me there, which is fine," said Robert Marawa. "I'm a sports broadcaster, my life doesn't depend or rely on their opinions about me. It's about me elevating my game to the next level. So they can do whatever they want with their platform."
He said "as a broadcaster allow me the latitude to do what I do. People just feel the need to control- especially all of these people elevated into positions where they know nothing about broadcasting but they feel the need to tell Phat Joe something or another. And for them, they are in heaven. That means the world."
"But as for you and I to try and change the landscape, to try and make people aware that there's credibility, there's enjoyment in this field that we are in."
On Friday SuperSport was asked in a media enquiry for its response to allegations about a TV director sexually harassing women, whether SuperSport is investigating these claims, why specifically Robert Marawa was fired and when SuperSport will announce which other on-air talent will no longer be working for SuperSport. SuperSport didn't respond.
On Friday SuperSport was asked in a media enquiry for its response to allegations about a TV director sexually harassing women, whether SuperSport is investigating these claims, why specifically Robert Marawa was fired and when SuperSport will announce which other on-air talent will no longer be working for SuperSport. SuperSport didn't respond.
