SABC shocks as public broadcaster parts ways with veteran sportscaster Robert Marawa; Vaylen Kirtley exits after 20 years to jump to Newzroom Afrika.

by Thinus Ferreira

As usual, since it's Friday, the SABC shocked when it suddenly announced that the South African public broadcaster has parted ways with the popular veteran sports presenter Robert Marawa whose Marawa Sport Worldwide show is apparently done and not returning to SABC radio, and with the popular TV presenter Vaylen Kirtley who is exiting after 2 decades with the SABC as she jumps to Newzroom Afrika.

Robert Marawa and his latest Marawa Sport Worldwide, has been hugely popular and a drawcard to bring large swathes of listeners to SABC radio stations, as has been previous programmes he fronted for the SABC on radio and television.

Likewise, Vaylen Kirtley has become a mainstain in the mornings on SABC2 and SABC News on Morning Live over years, while she also appeared on other SABC Sport programming. 

Insiders told TVwithThinus on Friday that Vaylen Kirtley is joining the South African TV news channel Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405). Newzroom Afrika has not yet made any announcements regarding her hiring.

Robert Marawa on social media on Friday said that he has once again "been shown the door by the SABC and unceremoniously told not to do my last show tonight".

Robert Marawa said that "after serving the public broadcaster through time, I am sent yet another text from a person in an acting position informing" him that his last show won't be broadcast on Friday after the issuing of a press release by the SABC, with the SABC apparently fearing what Robert Marawa might say in his final show.

In a terse statement lacking transparency and giving no reasons at all for either departure, the SABC, mere minutes before noon on Friday, announced that Robert Marawa and Vaylen Kirtley are no longer with the public broadcaster.

The statement contained no quotes attributed to either Robert Marawa or Vaylen Kirtley and their exit comes as the SABC is trying to bolster the content and talent of its SABC Sport brand and digital terrestrial TV channel run by SABC Sport boss Gary Rathbone.

"The SABC would like to announce the departure of renowned sports broadcasters Robert Marawa and Vaylen Kirtley," the SABC statement reads.

"Robert Marawa departs following the conclusion of the MSW (Marawa Sport Worldwide) which Robert Marawa presented on both Metro FM and Radio 2000 simultaneously."

"Vaylen Kirtley presented the sports segment of the SABC's television current affairs show, Morning Live and was also an anchor for SABC Sport programming. She joined the SABC 20 years ago and started with junior sports programmes at the time."

"The SABC would like to wish Robert Marawa and Vaylen Kirtley well in their future endeavours and appreciates their contribution to SABC Sport programming."

‘Sakina, we’re live’: The SABC's Morning Live presenters mock Namibia's NBC presenters Jessica and Elmarie after their awkward on-air spat.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's public broadcaster, known for several of its own on-air gaffes over the years, on Thursday had some fun mocking its Namibian TV neighbour when the presenters of Morning Live worked in a skit and did their own version of a sensational video that went viral overnight of the awkward on-air fight between two presenters at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

On Wednesday night a clip surfaced of the cringe-worthy interaction between Elmarie Kapunda, a news anchor on NBC's nightly TV news programme on Namibia's public broadcaster, and the sports presenter Jessica.

After Elmarie apparently "intruded" on the content or lines that Jessica wanted to say, Jessica started to scold Elmarie  with a "No,we are not going to do that! You're just going to greet me and say, 'Take it away", after which Elmarie had to remind her fellow presenter: "Jessica, we're live". 

Awkward silence, dead air and cold stares followed, after which the NBC News technical director cut to a commercial break.

Namibia's NBC has so far not released any statement about the incident and it's not clear whether any of the on-air talent has been suspended on taken leave.

On Thursday, Morning Live, broadcast on SABC2 and SABC News (DStv 404) reported about the incident in its daily trending topics. Later anchor Sakina Kamwendo and presenter Vaylen Kirtley had fun poking fun at their NBC colleagues' on-air moment.

Sakina Kamwendo and Vaylen Kirtley substituted their names and Vaylen had to tell her colleague: "Sakina, we're live", after which Sakina blankly stared into the Auckland Park TV camera for a few seconds - after which she cracked a smile.

On Wednesday night the SABC and SABC had its own on-air problem when anchor Vuyo Mvoko suddenly had to deal with an unexpected connection blackout during the The Watchdog timeslot:

Minnie Dlamini dumps the SABC's SABC Sport saying 'I need to grow'; replaced by Vaylen Kirtley as co-presenter on SABC1's SoccerZone.

Minnie Dlamini has dumped the SABC's SABC Sport division and has been replaced by Vaylen Kirtley.

On Thursday last week Minenhle "Minnie" Dlamini resigned from SABC Sport where she presented SoccerZone on SABC1 since May 2013, causing the SABC to rush to find a replacement as co-presenter opposite Thomas Mlambo for Monday night.

SoccerZone's ratings has fallen and a revamp with a new format introduced at the beginning of the year failed to lure back viewers.

Minnie Dlamini will however be seen on SABC television again as one of the presenters of the revived Tropika Island of Treasure Seychelles in March 2017 on SABC3.

"SABC Sport would like to thank her for a meaningful contribution to the division during her tenure and we wish her well in her future endeavours," said the SABC in a statement.

In a statement Minnie Dlamini said "I have resigned from SABC Sport to focus on my other business ventures".

"I have loved my time with the SABC Sport family and will miss them dearly. It pains me to realise that I won't be seeing my Thom Thom (Thomas Mlambo) and Dr Mnandi every Monday as they have become family."

"I need to grow and explore various opportunities in entertainment and business. "I'm super excited about 2017 and working very hard to make it a success."