The SABC is replacing the dumped JJ Tabane and his abruptly cancelled Frankly Speaking on Sunday nights with a new talk show, Unfiltered starting this Sunday at 20:30 with Redi Tlhabi.
Redi Tlhabi returned to the SABC and as the host of The Big Debate "town hall" discussion show for its 8th season in late-2017.
Like Frankly Speaking, Unfiltered will be shown on SABC News (DStv 404) and SABC3 simultaneously.
While the embattled SABC last week placed a freeze on all hiring as it has started a possible massive retrenchment process to bring its huge wage bill of R3.1 billion down, the broadcaster has now brought in Redi Tlhabi to present Unfiltered that it says is "part of the SABC's efforts to attract top talent to enhance and strengthen audience experience, in line with its turnaround plan".
Two weeks ago the SABC abruptly and quietly cancelled Frankly Speaking with the former spin doctor JJ Tabane who was also fired by the MSG Africa owned radio station Power FM where he was the Power Perspective presenter.
During the testimony of the ongoing state capture inquiry, Phumla Williams, then as acting head of the GCIS, spoke about the horrific things she endured under the disgraced former communications minister, Faith Muthambi.
JJ Tabane as a spin doctor helped Faith Muthambi as part of one of her advisory panels.
In a tweet JJ Tabane said "Sorry to Phumla Williams for having been complicit in your oppression by Faith Muthambi. I am ashamed of any role I had in it. Ready to appear before Zondo to testify."
A fight then ensued with Chris Vick, who took JJ Tabane to task, saying "But you used to work for Faith Muthambi when she was communications minister, bro. Didn’t you set up that huge advisory panel for her (the one I resigned from) and write those ridiculous opinion pieces in her name? Weren’t you advising her?"
JJ Tabane as a spin doctor helped Faith Muthambi as part of one of her advisory panels.
In a tweet JJ Tabane said "Sorry to Phumla Williams for having been complicit in your oppression by Faith Muthambi. I am ashamed of any role I had in it. Ready to appear before Zondo to testify."
A fight then ensued with Chris Vick, who took JJ Tabane to task, saying "But you used to work for Faith Muthambi when she was communications minister, bro. Didn’t you set up that huge advisory panel for her (the one I resigned from) and write those ridiculous opinion pieces in her name? Weren’t you advising her?"
The SABC says Unfiltered will "boldly tackle the broad spectrum of issues affecting South Africans, including crime, corruption, education, politics as well as economic and social issues".
Phathiswa Magopeni, the head of SABC news and current affairs, says "SABC News is taking an unrestrained, courageous and forthright approach to discussing tough issues facing South African citizens daily".
"Redi is a dynamic and versatile journalist who fits the profile of the show and our editorial character very well. We are happy to welcome her back as part of the SABC News team."
Redi Tlhabi, with a BA Communications and honours degree in English literature and currently working on a masters degree in gender and politics, says "I have always responded positively to conversations that help us confront the ills of our society and affirm our quest for justice, democracy and accountability. It is with that vision that I begin this new chapter with the SABC".
