You're reading it here first.
I can exclusively first break the news that a plan is underway for massive public demonstrations at the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters set to take place on Thursday 24 November - bar overtures to South Africa's vast TV industry which, according to them, will have to be made by dr Ben Ngubane, the SABC chairperson, and the SABC board.
Furthermore, sources within the industry are telling me that the Support Public Broadcasting (SOS) Coalition will also be adding their voice to the South African Screen Federation (Sasfed), as well as the SABC labour union Bemawu, who have now publicly called for the resignation of dr Ben Ngubane.
Last week I broke the news RIGHT HERE that there is a massive groundswell of organisations and group representing the vast majority of South Africa's TV industry, readying to mobilise for a massive public picketing at the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters.
According to sources, earlier today the date has now been set for 24 November for potential public protest action at the SABC, similar to the organised protest action which took place in 2009. I'm told by people within the industry that protest action will formally be organised for that date ''if we don't get any satisfactory replies'' from the SABC.
Groups like the Support Public Broadcasting (SOS) Coalition have identified 24 November as the day for public protest at the SABC if dr Ben Ngubane, SABC chairperson, don't respond to questions that was put to him on 25 October by the SOS Coalition. The group says that they were told they would get answers from dr Ben Ngubane himself, but that nothing was received by the end of day this past Friday.
With the fast moving developments within South Africa's TV industry as it pertains to the SABC, here is some of the latest and relevant news that form part of this overall issue:
- On 25 October the SOS Coalition said that it was ''disappointed'' and ''disillusioned'' with dr Ben Ngubane.
- On the same day, 25 October, the large SABC trade union Bemawu called for the immediate resignation of dr Ben Ngubane.
- Last week South Africa's parliament, specifically the portfolio committee for communications said in its annual report that it was disappointed in the SABC and the broadcaster's ongoing financial problems.
Earlier today, The South African Screen Federation (Sasfed), a massive federation representing thousands of companies, workers, studios, interest groups and film, television and audiovisual content organisations called for the immediate resignation of dr Ben Ngubane, citing the ''continuous chaos'' at the public broadcaster.
I have asked the SABC for a response on Sasfed calling for dr Ben Ngubane's immediate resignation earlier today but haven't yet received a reply.
