You're reading it here first.
Yesterday morning the SABC on its SABC2 morning breakfast show Morning Live called out the independent television producers in South Africa to donate money to the SABC's ''Touching Lives in Somalia'' campaign, and specifically called on independent television producer Desiree Markgraaff to ''give us a call. We urge you.''
ALSO READ: SABC calls out South African independent television producers ''that we always have issues with'' to donate to its Somalia campaign.
The past three years the SABC has commissioned no new local programming other than advertiser-funded shows and which decimated the local TV production sector. The result has been a painful shrinking of the local TV production sector in which producers have lost companies, shed workers, lost cars, houses and livelihoods. This makes the SABC's plea odd to ask for money from specifically an industry and a struggling sector that the SABC itself did not support financially the past few years as what has been the case previously.
TV with Thinus asked Desiree Markgraaff and independent television producers in South Africa for a response to what the SABC did, and she graciously took the high road, steering away from commenting on the broadcaster's odd way in which it conducted its plea for help:
''The plight facing millions of Somali's is a terrible human tragedy and one that should make all of us pause and think about how we can help - on a personal level, on a business level, as nations and indeed as fellow citizens of the world. I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the pain and suffering so many men, women and children are enduring.''
''I agree fully with Mr Kganyago that this is a time for us all to come together and contribute in whatever way we can. Unfortunately I missed this mornings telethon (I was unaware that it was happening), and I am more than willing to contribute should the telethon still accept donations. Certainly my family and our company will support Gift of the Givers who are doing incredible work.''
''I think our industry can make a contribution on two levels; one financially and two a more long term contribution, by coming together as we did with the outbreak of xenephobic violence in 2008 (creating the initiative Filmmakers Against Racism), and using our skills to make and broadcast films that galvanise action and raise questions about how the terrible suffering of the people of Somalia, and indeed Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda can happen in an age where man is able to send a probe into the Mars orbit.''
''I urge all my colleagues in film, television and media, as well as the broadcasters to dig deep into their hearts seeking projects that will put on the world stage the questions we should all be asking: How can so many have so little, when so few have so much? What can we as global humanity do to prevent such pain and suffering now and in the future? Can we appeal to those creating war and preventing starving people from getting food, to find their humanity and allow aid to flow to those in need?''
