JJ Tabane's eNCA talk show done after false bribery claims column

by Thinus Ferreira

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."

The SABC replaces the cancelled JJ Tabane and Frankly Speaking on SABC News and SABC3 with a new Sunday night talk show, Unfiltered with Redi Tlhabi.

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?"

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".

SABC abruptly cancels Frankly Speaking on SABC3 and SABC News, former spin doctor and presenter JJ Tabane gone and also fired from Power FM.

The SABC has abruptly and quietly cancelled Frankly Speaking with the former spin doctor JJ Tabane broadcast on SABC3 and SABC News (DStv 404), with JJ Tabane that was also fired by the MSG Africa owned radio station Power FM where he was the Power Perspective presenter.

While the SABC issued no statement nor programming advisory, JJ Tabane at the top of this past Sunday's episode of Frankly Speaking announced that his interview with Gwede Mantashe, ANC chairperson and mining resources minister, will be "the final episode of Frankly Speaking with me Onkgopotse JJ Tabane".

At the tail-end of the show he again said "that was the final episode of Frankly Speaking. I hope you found it useful."

Frankly Speaking was added to SABC3 and SABC News from 11 February this year, with the SABC that made no announcement prior to this Sunday's abrupt final episode that the programme is cancelled or why.

During the testimony of the ongoing state capture inquiry, Phumla Williams, the 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?"

Power FM that first suspended JJ Tabane, announced that he was fired from Power FM with immediate effect, on Monday, a day after his final Frankly Speaking episode on the SABC's SABC News.

"JJ Tabane committed serious material breaches of the provisions of our independent contractor agreement rendering it impossible to continue a contractual relationship with him," said Bob Mabena, Power FM's station manager on Monday.

"As a trust-anchored platform that disseminates and facilitates critical national conversations, POWER 98.7 strives to ensure that such conversations are conducted authentically, truthfully and credibly".