CCMA orders SABC to backpay two senior staffers a 10-month salary's worth of what the public broadcaster paid a regional editor who got the job in an irregular appointment without a journalism qualification and after failing a vetting process.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has ordered the SABC to backpay two senior staffers at the South African public broadcaster who must each get a 10-month salary's worth of what the SABC paid a regional SABC editor in Limpopo after the CCMA found that the SABC irregularly awarded the job to someone without any journalism qualification and who also failed a vetting process.

The SABC appointed Jubie Matlou without the necessary qualifications, with Piet Shai, CCMA commissioner, who found that the SABC had committed unfair labour practice and that the SABC failed to finalise the grievance interview within 6 weeks.

The Sowetan in the past week first reported the ruling of the CCMA case. It comes after both Sello Sam Mochichila, a current affair producer at the SABC's Thobela FM radio station, and Rudzani Bologo an assignment editor at the SABC's Munghana Lonone FM radio station, both applied for the position in 2017 but got overlooked.

Both went to the CCMA.

Jubie Matlou explained to the CCMA that he had a degree in communication, but said that it included journalism. The SABC told the CCMA that there "was nothing that prevented it to appoint Matlou" and that the SABC was "of the view that it followed its own policy and procedure".

Piet Shai states in his ruling said "I order the SABC to pay compensation to the applicants of a sum equivalent to Matlou's 10 months wages calculated at the latter's rate at the time of his appointment. The above amount shall be paid on 30 April 2019".

Piet Shai found that "the way the SABC dealt with his appointment gives the impression that the position was reserved for him regardless".

On Sunday CityPress reported that after the position was advertised externally, the SABC news and current affairs HR manager Mannie Alho in October 2017 wrote to Kenneth Makatees, the SABC group executive for news at the time, about the reason for advertising externally after a delay in making the appointment.

Mannie Alho wrote that "complications had arisen due to both external and internal political interference and also the panel's view that the internal candidates lacked equal experience and skills for both TV and radio news production and broadcasting".

It's not clear who was behind the "external and internal political interference" at the SABC alluded to in the letter.

Vuyo Mthembu, SABC spokesperson told CityPress that the SABC is "currently perusing the award and a decision on the way forward will be taken within the prescribed time period. The SABC will not engage on the content of the matter while it is still considering its options".

SABC top management to now meet with unions after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) also sends a letter to execs demanding answers about allegations of SABC News corruption, Kenneth Makatees, and changes at SABC News and SAfm without consultation.

The SABC's top management will be meeting with trade unions to try and prevent legal action from trade unions who are unhappy over changes at the public broadcaster's SABC News division, including the revamping of the SABC News (DStv 404) channel on MultiChoice's platform and turning SAfm into a talk radio station.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has sent a letter to the SABC's top executives, similar to the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media  Allied Workers Union (Bemawu), also demanding that the SABC stops implementing sweeping changes in its newsroom without proper consultation, and demanding that the SABC release the report into a recent investigation into allegations of corruption in the SABC News editing division.

In the Bemawu petition, 116 SABC News staffers warn over ongoing allegations of victimisation at the SABC, political interference, Hlaudi Motsoeneng "enforcers" who are still active at the SABC, and sex for jobs at the public broadcaster.

In a letter the CWU demands that the SABC release the findings of a recent investigation into allegations of corruption at SABC news editing.

In the letter the CWU's Billy Matsitse says the trade union "note with concern the challenges at news division, and we request your office facilitate an urgent meeting to address the issues".

The CWU, like Bemawu, is also upset about the ongoing presence of the controversial SABC staffer Kenneth Makatees at the SABC's newsroom in Auckland Park, wanting to know why he is here and not back in Cape Town since his period of acting as head of news has lapsed.

"Rumour is that he is earmarked to take over as head of the 24-hour SABC News channel. Positions cannot be created for pals or individuals. We demand that Kenneth Maketees to immediately assume his position in Cape Town," says the CWU.

"We note with concern the ‘turnaround’ at news without consultation of which it has impact on our members. Talent is brought in from our competitors, and what we see is that they bring their own personnel (crew or their own producers). What will happen to our technical people who have been performing such functions?" says the CWU.

The CWU demands that the SABC explain "the rationale behind the SAfm changes" and want to know why the appointment process for the position of SABC political editor is not transparent.

"We know interviews happened, but Corporation decided otherwise and advertised externally. We want to know why is the SABC ignoring talent from within".

The CWU also wants the SABC's top executives to explain changes to news technical staffers' contracts, since contracts of staffers were not renewed during the Henley and news technical staff merger. "As CWU, we feel that we need to act with speed and resolve the matters raised."

The SABC now says it will be meeting with the unions, following an appearance of SABC top management in parliament this week before the portfolio committee on communications.

In petition, 116 SABC News staffers warn over ongoing allegations of victimisation, political interference, Hlaudi enforcers and sex for jobs at the public broadcaster.

The SABC is silent over a petition, signed by 116 SABC News staffers, warning that political interference at the SABC continues, that "there is a re-emergence of reprisals against those who stood for the truth and for an independent broadcaster", that "victimisation of staff who stand for ethics continue" and that allegations of "sex for jobs" at the SABC should be investigated.

The SABC was asked for comment on Thursday, but the broadcaster declined the opportunity to comment.

SABC staffers in the petition - signed by 116 infuriated and extremely concerned SABC staffers including key SABC News staff like editors, producers and technical personnel - states that they fear that the SABC is still being ruled by enforcers of the fired former chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and that victimisation and political interference in their jobs to bring the public the news, continues.

In the petition that was sent to SABC top management in mid-February, staffers say they have deep concerns and are furious over developments in the SABC News division.

The 116 staffers in the petition given to SABC top management by the Bemawu trade union, say that the SABC newsroom "is still being led by enforcers" of Hlaudi Motsoeneng, "some of whom continue to disregard the changed editorial environment that calls for conscience and professionalism such as Sophie Mokoena's unethical instruction to staff not to ask any question on president Jacob Zuma's recall in a recent ANC press conference".

SABC staffers said that "political interference continues" at SABC News, demand the "removal of the current compromised presidential corps team" and wants to know from the SABC's top executives why "the SABC continues to employ disgraces and discredited executives who propped up the previous regime.These people, such as Theresa Geldenhuys, who has been promoted to head of governance and compliance, were found liable for serious transgressions by parliament's ad hoc committee".

The SABC staffers in the petition warned that "there is a re-emergence of reprisals against those who stood for the truth and for an independent broadcaster".

"Victimisation of staff who stand for ethics continues. Here we cite the cases of David Magae, Boitumelo Koroge, Elvis Presslin, Mandisa Mazwi, Thandeka Gqubule, Phuthego Mojapele among others".

The petition also calls for an investigation into the alleged "misuse of SABC funds at a time when we are on economic austerity". In the petition, staffers also "demand an investigation into alleged sex for jobs at the Mpumalanga office and everywhere else where such allegations have been made".


SABC News channel turmoil
Furthermore, according to the petition, "For the past 6 months, our news division has fallen prey to unprofessionalism mainly due to poor leadership and management by the acting head of news and current affairs, Kenneth Makatees" that the staffers say "has been reminiscent of the Hlaudi-style of management".

According to staffers he has been moved to the SABC's SABC News (DStv 404) channel broadcast on MultiChoice's DStv.

"We demand a proper advertising of the post and his removal from the Johannesburg newsroom as his presence is bound to destabilise the newsroom and hamper progress," the petition states. "Management must bear in mind that he was previously removed through a petition from the erstwhile SABC Africa (TV channel)".

The SABC staffers in the petition further demanded  "the immediate removal of acting head of the news channel, Tebogo Alexander" for allegedly undermining executive producers, "threatening reprisals on his subordinates instead of resolving newsroom issues professionally", the intimidation of contractors with dismissals, bullying of his colleagues and "absolutely no professional mannerism or leadership skills".

The 116 SABC News staffers called on the SABC management "for an investigation into his behaviour and his track record as a manager at the SABC where there is a pattern of reported harassment of staff and abuse of power and position against his subordinates".

SABC News staffers wanted to know why shows are suddenly and unilaterally being pulled off air on the SABC News channel.

"Staff was told Rights and Recourse would be removed from the channel 404 schedule as from 31 March. However on Friday 23 February the team was told that their last show would be broadcast on Sunday 25 February without further clarity".

Question Time was also cancelled. "It is worth noting that this programme has annoyed news management in the past with its editorial independence and refusal to accept illegal instructions," the petition notes.

In the petition staffers also "demand the speedy appointment of a permanent head of the TV News Resources department which continues to be run unprofessionally without any sense of accountability by those who act in that position".


SABC: It's an internal matter
The SABC was asked for comment about the petition. The SABC then asked for specific questions, in order to respond adequately to the media enquiry.

The SABC was then asked why was Theresa Geldenhuys appointed as head of governance and compliance if she was found liable for serious transgressions during parliament’s inquiry into the SABC?

The SABC was asked about staffers saying there a “re-emergence of reprisals” against them and victimisation of staff who "stand for professional ethics" and if the SABC can comment on this.

The SABC was asked why Kenneth Makatees was moved to the SABC News channel, and if the SABC can comment on the petition that asked for the immediate removal of Tebogo Alexander as the acting head of the SABC News channel, and if this has happened.

The SABC was asked why shows like Question Time and Rights and Recourse on SABC News were cancelled,and asked if the SABC has any comment on SABC staffers saying that Sophie Mokoena gave "unethical instruction to staff not to ask any question on president Zuma’s recall in a recent ANC press conference".

The SABC was also asked if in general if there is anything the SABC wants to put into context or perspective in response to the petition as a whole.

SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said in response to the specific questions in the media enquiry that "this is an internal matter and we will not comment until all the internal processes are exhausted".



Below is the petition in its entirety: 

12 February 2018:
SABC NEWS STAFF PETITION

This petition serves to register our deep concern and infuriation with current developments in the News Division. This is despite the achievements of the Ad-Hoc committee’s inquiry into the SABC in 2016. This petition appeals to the board to urgently meet staff and address the following concerns;

A year since Parliament’s Ad-Hoc Committee issued its significant and binding recommendations for change at the SABC:

• We are yet to see the end of impunity where those who were responsible for violating our editorial standing in society through their unlawful conduct and enforcement of political instructions, are held to account.
• The SABC’s newsroom is still being led by enforcers, some of whom continue to disregard the changed editorial environment that calls for conscience and professionalism such as Ms Sophie Mokoena’s unethical instruction to staff not to ask any question on President Zuma’s recall in a recent ANC press conference.
• Political interference continues, the latest known having been reported to the board recently without response or action against the implicated party. Instead, those who sought to report it are portrayed as liars.
• We demand the immediate removal of the current compromised presidential corps team and the institution of an editorially independent team that represents the interest of the SABC as the voice of society, and not embed itself with the presidency.
• Other than James Aguma and Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC continues to employ disgraced and discredited executives who propped up the previous regime. These people, such as Theresa Geldenhuys, who has been promoted to Head of Governance and Compliance, were found liable for serious transgressions by the ad hoc committee.
• Management and the board promised to deal with the issue of enforcers speedily a year ago, however to date, they are yet to act. [Following a motion of no confidence against the said enforcers, management and the board pleaded for patience as they were dealing with the matter, but nothing has come of it].
• We are told that they will also be investigated by the SIU, but it boggles the mind how the SIU that investigates criminal behaviour can also make a finding on editorial issues.
• There is a re-emergence of reprisals against those who stood for the truth and for an independent public broadcaster. Victimisation of staff who stand for professional ethics continues. Here we cite the cases of David Magae, Boitumelo Korogo, Elvis Presslin, Mandisa Mazwi, Thandeka Gqubule, Phuthego Mojapele among others.

SABC’s EDITORIAL INTEGRITY
More than once, the SABC has been compromised editorially and our credibility and integrity will continue to be questioned. Our presidential correspondent compromise us editorially by sheepishly failing to call the executive to account, despite this, no one has been held responsible.

• We demand that the political editor and news management be held accountable for making decisions that compromise us editorially
• We demand an investigation into why the SABC failed to cover the address of the newly-elected ANC president at Nasrec, despite us having the staff and equipment at the venue.

Mismanagement of the newsroom
For the past six months, our news division has fallen prey to unprofessionalism mainly due to poor leadership and management by the Acting Head of News and Current Affairs, Kenneth Makatees.

• Mr Makatees style of management and leadership has been reminiscent of the Hlaudi-style of management. He has imposed his preferred guests on Media Monitor staff, insisting on his involvement in the invitation of guests to Question Time, and micro-managing the newsroom and thus undermining his managers.
• We hear that he has now been moved to channel 404, we demand a proper advertising of the post and his removal form the Johannesburg newsroom as his presence is bound to distabilise the newsroom and hamper progress.
• Management must bear in mind that he was previously removed through a petition from the erstwhile SABC Africa.

Channel 404
We demand the immediate removal of Acting head of the news channel, Tebogo Alexander for:

• Undermining of EP’s
• Threatening reprisals on his subordinates instead of resolving newsroom issues professionally
• Intimidation of contractors with dismissals
• Bullying of his colleagues
• Absolutely no professional mannerism or leadership skills

His behaviour disregards the rights and dignity of employees as outlined in the Constitution of South Africa and the LRA. We call for an investigation into his behaviour and his track record as a manager at the SABC where there is a pattern of reported harassment of staff and abuse of power and position against his subordinates.

Cancellation of Programmes on Channel 404
In a display of the lack of management skills from the top of the News Division for five years, there has been no performance agreements or an understanding of what the shows aim to achieve. However teams have worked diligently to produce and broadcast these programmes. Suddenly and without professional and scientific rationale as well as consultation, programmes are being unilaterally pulled off air.

Affected staff has been told to ‘slot’ themselves into other shows. These are important decisions which must be done according to administrative procedure i.e. in a consultative thus professional manner.

We demand that no show be taken off air until the newly appointed GE can make her own decisions based on rationale and factual basis, informed by a news strategy, which has been consulted with the news staff. The SABC newsroom must be protected from personal vendettas and whims by some in management.

While we believe that management is within its right to decide on programme changes, but they need to be done in professional consultation with fellow managers and supported by rational reasons if they are to be cancelled.

The following programmes at issue are also the only audience interactive programmes on Channel 404;

Rights and Recourse – Following a meeting with Acting-GE: News Kenneth Makatees, staff was told that Rights and Recourse will be removed from Channel 404 schedule as from March 31 2018. However, on Friday the 23rd of February 2018, the team was told that their last show would be broadcast on Sunday the 25th of February without a further clarity.

Question Time – In the six months that Kenneth Makatees has been Acting as GE: News, he neglected to meet the Executive Producer about the programme’s performance. The Executive Producer had to hear from colleagues in the corridor about its cancellation before he was officially told by his line manager. The market intelligence figures show that this programme is the highest performing on the platform, therefore the decision to cut it is surprising. However, it is worth noting that this programme has annoyed news management in the past with its editorial independence and refusal to accept illegal instructions.

National Government events versus ANC party events
Radio Current Affairs programmes were told that they will not travel to Parliament during SONA citing financial reasons. We would accept this if all events were treated equally. However, there is a precedent set where we over deploy to ANC events but have financial constraints when we have public events like SONA and BUDGET. We broadcast for the country and not the party. Eighty people were deployed to East London during the ANC’s January 8th statement. However, when it came to the crunch time of the broadcast – the team in Johannesburg had to take over; despite an over deployment.

We call for an investigation into this misuse of SABC funds at a time when we are on economic austerity. Similar incidences such as the Cuba trip (to cover the death if former Cuban leader Fidel Castro) must be investigated.

Appointments
We wish to register concern about potential compromise of the process of appointing a Regional Editor in Kwa-Zulu Natal. We are aware of the fact that the process had to be halted because one of the interviewing panel members was conflicted and had not declared this. We call for a transparent recruitment process, free of undue influence where the best candidate must be appointed.

• We also call for an investigation into Senior news management appointments, both in the national office as well as the regions.
• SABC’s recruitment policy has been ignored in the appointment of a Provincial Editor in Limpopo. The appointment whose interviews, if any, were done secretively was made despite an on-going grievance procedure with the Acting/GCEO
• We demand an investigation into alleged sex for jobs at the Mpumalanga office and everywhere else where such allegations have been made.

Staff Vetting for National Keypoint
We demand a halt to the vetting process which violates our constitutional right to privacy and dignity. The SABC as a National Keypoint is a matter that needs further deliberation and until such time, we will not allow our rights to be violated in this manner.

Contracts
We request an investigation into the irregular and inconsistent decisions to renew some contracts for the News technical team, and decline to do so for others where reasons provided defy logic.

We also demand the speedy appointment of a permanent head of the TV News Resources department which continues to be run unprofessionally without any sense of accountability by those who act in that position.

 HR Responsiveness
There are cases that remain unresolved for many years, despite the knowledge of News HR. We demand responsive HR department that is willing and able to resolve issues of workers without any bias.

 SABC’S Editor-In-Chief
Following a number of concerning pronouncements about the expected role of the newly appointed COO, we wish to remind management that in terms of the 2004 editorial policy which is currently in force, the editor in chief of the SABC is the CEO and not the COO. The News department is headed by the GE News who reports to the CEO. We therefore demand clarity on the role and responsibility of the COO in light of the fact that the matter regarding the decision to cut programmes has been referred to the COO.

We urgently request a meeting between the board and staff to discuss the issues raised above.

Yours sincerely

The undersigned (signatures on attachment)

(SIGNED BY AT LEAST 116 KEY NEWS STAFF, WHICH INCLUDE EDITORS, PRODUCERS AND TECHNICAL STAFF)

Calls for urgent parliamentary meeting next week after SABC staffers threaten strike; DA political party says staffers 'within their rights to take action to prevent SABC sliding backwards'.

There's calls for an urgent parliamentary meeting to be held in the coming week after angry and fed-up SABC staffers are saying they're planning to strike.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party has called for an urgent meeting to be held in parliament in the coming week following threatened strike action by SABC trade unions who say they've had enough of "threats and fear" at the beleaguered and cash-strapped South Africa public broadcaster plagued by mismanagement.

SABC staffers on the verge of revolt, want acting SABC news boss Kenneth Makatees a so-called "enforcer of the SABC's Protest Policy" gone.

SABC staffers are also demanding the immediate suspension and removal of several alleged executives who are so-called "Hlaudi enforcers" like Nothando Maseko and are demanding an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as acting COO.

The DA political party's member of parliament, Phumzile van Damme, says the DA "fully supports the right of SABC staff to engage in legal strike action" - something that trade unions Bemawu and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has told SABC top management could lead to a SABC blackout.

The DA says several of the demands in the joint letter of demand on Friday that Bemawu and the CWU sent to the SABC's top executives are reasonable, particularly "the immediate appointment of the SABC board as recommended by parliament, disciplinary action against the former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng and so-called enforcers", and a "full investigation" of the SABC's since overturned SABC TV News censorship policy.

"The brilliant work initiated by the SABC interim board to steer the SABC to calm waters has been stalled, and the public broadcaster has begun sliding backwards," says Phumzile van Damme.

"The SABC has many talented, qualified staff who care deeply about ensuring that the public broadcaster delivers on its mandate to South Africa."

"They are therefore well within their rights to take action to prevent the SABC sliding backwards and once again becoming a cesspool of corruption, mismanagement and poor programming."

The Democratic Alliance political party wants parliament's portfolio comittee on communications to hold a meeting in the coming week to allow the trade unions Bemawu and CWU, as well as the so-called 'SABC8" journalists who protested the SABC's news censorship policy, to "tell their side of the story".

"Many of the concerns raised by the SABC staff could have been prevented did the SABC have a board in place".

Angry SABC staffers demand immediate suspension, removal of alleged 'Hlaudi enforcers' Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko; investigation into COO Bessie Tugwana's appointment.

Angry SABC staffers at the struggling South African public broadcaster in a strongly-worded letter are demanding the immediate suspension and removal of several alleged executives who are so-called "Hlaudi enforcers" like acting news boss Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko and for an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as acting COO.

SABC staffers on the verge of revolt, want Kenneth Makatees a so-called "enforcer of the SABC's Protest Policy" gone.

Kenneth Makatees recently had a meeting with the president Jacob Zuma, with the presidency that has refused to answer calls for a release of the meeting's transcripts.

SABC staffers are furious and are warning the public broadcaster that protected strike action is planned at the public broadcaster.

The SABC, deep in the red and having posted a R977 million loss, is mired in mismanagement, sits with no board and only acting executives in all of its top positions.

The trade unions Bemawu and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) in a joint letter of demand on Friday to the SABC's top bosses, warned the SABC management that most of the enforcers who supported the controversial and famously matricless executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng who instituted illegal SABC news censorship and the subsequent dismissal of the SABC journalists opposed to it - are still employed at the broadcaster.

SABC staffers say for these alleged enablers who are still employed "at lucrative salaries at the SABC" it is "business as usual, and they have escaped justice".

SABC staffers say they've been subjected to "threats and fear, unilateral restructurings, change of work practices and shift roster, appointments without advertising positions and a zero-percentage increase".

"In the meantime, the SABC is slipping deeper into insolvency, to the extent that it endangers the employment, well-being, and health of our members.

SABC staffers are warning that "it is our view the SABC is still captured by politicians – more than ever – and we cannot sit back to allow this to happen".

The trade unions in their letter say they demand "the immediate appointment of the SABC board already selected and recommended by parliament, and the immediate suspension of all the enforcers of the Protest Policy which resulted in the dismissal of the SABC8, to wit, Kenneth Makatees, Nothando Maseko, Nyana Molete and Sebolelo Ditlhakanyane."

The trade unions in the joint letter says it the immediate suspension of "all the unprocedurally appointed managers and/or people who supported the system to either enforce the Protest Policy, contributed to the poor financial position of the SABC," and those who "neglect to act when policies and procedures were not followed, and did not report irregularities when they became aware of same".

According to Bemawu and the CWU in their letter this includes Tshifhiwa Mulaudzi, the SABC's executive for sales & marketing; Abdul Matthee who Bemawu and the CWU claim is responsible for millions of rand in losses due to the failures of the Landmark system, as well as Keobokile Mosweu, Sizwe Vilikazi, Bessie Tugwana, Tseliso Ralitabo, Ayanda Mkhize and Theresa Geldenhuys.

Staffers demand the immediate suspension of "the status quo in respect of structural changes, work patterns and hours of employees, in particular in News, until a new board is in office, and employees be properly consulted."

They also want "the full and unconditional restoration of the merger between Henley Studios and News, with no change in reporting lines and work practices, without full and proper consultation with employees, and only after a new Board has been appointed."

Other demands include "a salary increase of 10% across the board, backdated to April 2017" and "the appointment of all workers previously on fixed term contracts at News, whose contracts has not been renewed as fixed term, but as freelance contracts, or not at all.

SABC staffers are also calling for "the removal of Kenneth Makatees as acting head of news, to be replaced by a non-enforcer nominated from the competent news staff in Johannesburg," and the "redeployment of Themba Mathonsi to a different department".

Bemawu and the CWU say SABC staffers are "tired of his Gestapo style of management".

SABC staffers are further demanding a "full investigation regarding the protest policy and the report should be made public; an investigation at SABC Sport in respect of the non-renewal of contracts; the redeployment of admin people in operational roles under the disguise to develop them; and the appointment of freelancers to act in permanent positions".

SABC staff also want an investigation into the appointment of Bessie Tugwana as the acting SABC COO "in particular as she has reached retirement age, and allegations of her employing friends".

Staffers also want "the renewal of the contract of Keobokile Mosweu, an alleged enforcer of Motsoeneng to be investigated and reversed".

Bemawu and the CWU told the SABC's acting CEO Nomsa Philiso that it's giving SABC management 7 days to meet these demands.

"Should these demands not be met in 7 days, excluding the unilateral change to the shift roster of News Staff, from date of this letter, labour will file a dispute and ballot its members to seek a mandate for a protected strike".

BREAKING. SABC executives, news and channel bosses and colleagues honour Riaan Cruywagen and bid him farewell.

SABC executives, SABC news bosses, channel bosses and colleagues honoured the venerable SABC news reader Riaan Cruywagen today.

Riaan Cruywagen attended a special brunch this morning in Sandton to thank him for this decades long contribution and to bid him farewell.

Riaan Cruywagen read his final news bulletin this evening on SABC2 in the Nuus om 7, ending his illustrious career as the person holding an unequaled and unrivaled record as the South African TV personality who've been on television the longest.

He read his last bulletin exactly 37 years after he first started in 1976 with the advent of television news in South Africa.

At the farewell brunch (which South Africa's national TV critics and journalists who cover television based outside of Johannesburg were not bothered to be told of, nor been invited to) the SABC presented Riaan Cruywagen with a special plaque.

Prof. Pippa Green, SABC board member said: "Riaan thank you for all of your years of loyalty, support and service to a public broadcaster which is not always the easiest place to be but is probably one of the most important places."

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO) said: "I think you have done a wonderful job for the SABC. The way you dress, the way you talk to people - you're a human being. You lead by example."

Jimi Matthews, the acting head of news and current affairs at the SABC said: "I think the Afrikaans community must be quite 'change fatigued'. If you think of how the country has changed in the last 20 years. But the one thing which has remained constant - one thing significant thing that's remained constant in their lives is Riaan Cruywagen. They know that when they switch on the TV to watch the news, there is Riaan Cruywagen to assure them that everything is fine. And now we're going to have to get used to South African television news without Riaan Cruywagen. And it's quite a strange notion; quite a strange feeling actually."

"His contribution to broadcasting, not only to the SABC, but to broadcasting in general has been immense. Riaan's legacy is the news room will always be his commitment to his craft, his dedication, his professionalism. And for me I think it was a huge honour to work alongside someone like Riaan," said Jimi Matthews.

Kenneth Makatees, the executive director for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "Riaan is one of those South Africans who really crossed borders in this country."

Sandy Macdonald, the editor for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "I think he played an enormous role to make Afrikaans cool again."

Peet van Staden, the executive producer for Afrikaans TV news on SABC2 said: "He has the exceptional capacity to remain calm under pressure, maybe more so than anybody else. He also has the ability to laugh and to be freaked out."

Bessie Tugwana, SABC2 channel head, said: "For SABC2 I want to express our pride and profound gratitude that he has stayed this long. And not just staying long, he has brought professionalism to the news reading and some kind of believability."

"As you know there are three bulletins at 19:00, every day except weekends. Those bulletins are English on SABC3, English on e.tv, but the Afrikaans bulletin has always attracted more audiences. That for us is testimony that he sustained that in his community. I think as a channel he has also given the channel, the brand SABC2, credibility," said Bessie Tugwana.

Chriselda Lewis, SABC TV reporter said: "Riaan keeps looking the same way that he did so many yers ago. I still need to find out how he achieved that. He doesn't have any gray hair. When you try and look for wrinkles on his face you can barely find them."

"He appeals to so many people across the colour line," said Chriselda Lewis. "That is just amazing."

"I always remained a career broadcaster," said Riaan Cruywagen at the brunch. "No matter who was in charge of government or at the SABC, I remained true to my profession and nothing else. I never became involved in politics - neither external nor internal - and I made it my duty to present the news in an unbiased, non-partisan and objective, credible and authoritative way."

"Tonight, after 37 years, I say goodbye to South Africa. I have really mixed feelings. I'll miss the news reader  role I've fulfilled for so many years, very much. But I have the greatest and indescribable appreciation for the kindness so many viewers allowed me to bring the news every evening into their living rooms. Over the past few weeks I have received hundreds of emails from viewers wishing me the very best with my retirement."

I want to remind viewers that nobody's perfect; nobody's irreplaceable. I'd appreciate it immensely if you'd give my successors and my colleagues who are currently still there, Karlien and Terence, all the support you gave me. Let's work together as South Africa's to make this beautiful country of ours the best in the world," said Riaan Cruywagen.

ALSO READ: Riaan Cruywagen signs off with a simple goodbye and a hand salute after 37 years on television: 'For me it was an exceptional privilege.'

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