After the Universal Channel (DStv 117) on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform erroneously broadcast an "obituary" of Remembering Madiba on Tuesday night about the frail elderly statesman Nelson Mandela - who is very much alive - the TV channel is now a profusely apologising for the "technical error".
Universal Networks International says playing the remembrance which is meant to be seen after Nelson Mandela's death was premature and an error but that all broadcasters have such programming ready. The elderly Mandela was admitted to hospital again for lung infection complications recently but doctors said he is making progress.
On Tuesday night viewers reacted with shock when the Universal Channel acted as if Nelson Mandela has died.
"Like any international broadcaster, Universal Networks holds obituaries ready for every major statesman in the word," says Universal Networks International which programmes the Universal Channel on DStv, after the mistake.
"Universal Networks wishes to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology for the airing of such an announcement for Nelson Mandela which was broadcast last night on the Universal Channel due to a technical error by our team."
"We unreservedly apologise to the Mandela family, to Universal Channel viewers and to DStv subscribers for the alarm and offense caused by this error. Our thoughts and best wishes are with Madiba and his family for a speedy and full recovery," says Universal Networks International.
