The controversial commentator Prof Onkgopotse JJ Tabane's show Power to Truth on eNCA (DStv 403) is finished and ended a week after TimesLIVE was forced to retract a spurious column by Tabane it published on 21 January.
eMedia that runs eNCA as a TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform says the abrupt end of Power to Truth a month into the new year was "mutually agreed upon" by eNCA and Tabane, that Tabane didn't resign and that its cancellation "aligns with the show's planned ending".
The SABC previously abruptly cancelled the Tabane-hosted Frankly Speaking on SABC News (DStv 404) in September 2018 after just seven months.
He was also fired from Power FM days later where he was suspended for having "committed serious material breaches of the provisions of our independent contractor agreement rendering it impossible to continue a contractual relationship with him," the radio station said at the time.
JJ Tabane, editor of Leadership Magazine and a professor of media studies at the University of Botswana, was then hired by Newzroom Afrika when the TV news channel launched in mid-2019, after which he jumped to eNCA.
In May last year in the week before South Africa's general election, JJ Tabane did a sit-down interview with former president Jacob Zuma and UmKhonto weSizwe party president, but it didn't air.
eNCA on 27 May said all current affairs programming was cancelled for the week since it was too close before the elections.
Power to Truth only returned on 5 August, with eNCA that noted Power to Truth "has recently been on a production break with JJ on his annual leave".
At the time JJ Tabane said "I am happy to be back on screen after some much-needed time out for pure rest. I' look forward to bringing more thought-provoking conversations that help shape the future of our country.".
Back on air, the show only lasted for another five more months.
On 21 January 2025 TimesLIVE published one of JJ Tabane's opinion pieces titled "The stink in public works smacks of Nkandla".
On 27 January TimesLIVE had to retract and issue an apology for JJ Tabane's column and admitted there was "insufficient evidence" to support the serious allegations made by JJ Tabane that included unfounded claims that Dean Macpherson, minister of public works and infrastructure bribed a journalist to write so-called "negative" stories about the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and interfered in the operations of the IDT.
Macpherson said he was "seeking legal advice on how to hold Tabane accountable for the false accusations".
In response to a media query on Tuesday this week, eMedia confirmed that last week Wednesday's episode of Power to Truth was Tabane's last and that show is done.
"In response to your enquiry, we would like to clarify recent developments regarding Prof JJ Tabane and his association with eNCA. After five years of hosting Power to Truth from Monday to Wednesday nights, the programme concluded with its final episode airing on Wednesday, 5 February 2025," eMedia said.
"This conclusion was mutually agreed upon and marks the end of the show's successful tenure on our platform."
"Throughout its run, Power to Truth provided a platform for robust debate on South Africa's pressing issues, featuring engaging discussions and interviews that informed and entertained our viewers."
"We are grateful for Prof JJ Tabane's significant contributions over the years and wish him continued success in his future endeavours."
"Please note that any social media posts suggesting that Prof JJ Tabane resigned from eNCA are inaccurate. The conclusion of Power to Truth aligns with the show's planned ending and does not reflect a resignation on his part."
