DOEK DRAMA: eNCA news director Mapi Nhlangu says discussions has started with staff over on-air doek ban; working towards showing 'progressive values'.

eNCA (DStv 403) has not covered its own "doek" wearing ban scandal as a story with any on-air report last week, opting to rather broadcast a recorded statement read out by eNCA news director Mapi Nhlangu.

eNCA yet again became the news instead of reporting it this year when reporter Nontobeko Sibisi lashed out at her employer in a letter, claiming her Africa Day story was canned because she wore a "doek" in it - a head scarf that's not allowed according to eNCA's on-air appearance code.

eNCA, available on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, said it has now started discussions with staff over the "doek" ban.

In a read-out, recorded and broadcast statement, Mapi Nhlangu says:

"We at eNCA are committed to continuing the necessary work towards effecting positive change, not only inside our organisation, but as a broadcaster in the light of South African society. When mistakes are made, we will look to fix them."

"The matter of our commitment to a fully democratic human rights centered order, especially inside the news industry, with its commitment to fairness and freedom of expression, lies in our ability to rise to this challenge."

"The issue of the doek is merely a symptom of a larger call for change in contemporary South Africa. This is not an issue that will be resolved by quick technical intervention."

"Consultative processes between employees and managers are underway dealing with this among many questions facing journalists and media professionals every day and we are working towards making sure South Africans see progressive values reflected in their broadcast news".

On Sunday, Fikile Masiko, convenor for the Young Women's Desk of the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) said on eNCA's doek drama: "We want e.tv to know this is not something that is an oppression or unprofessional for us. This is our crown".

EFF political party slams eNCA news channel on DStv over ban of the 'doek' as eNCA says its started 'an internal process' about on-air appearance policy.

The Economic Freedom Front (EFF) political party on Thursday slammed the eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform for its banning of female reporters wearing a "doek", as eNCA said it has started "an internal process" to relook its on-air appearance policy.

The doek drama exploded on Tuesday when eNCA reporter Nontobeko Sibisi in a scathing letter slammed her employer, alleging that an insert she did for Africa Day last Wednesday was canned because she appeared in it, wearing the head covering that's apparently not allowed.

eNCA has not been clear about whether this is the reason why Nontobeko Sibisi's story has been taken off air by a sub editor or whether its because something else was wrong with the story but the issue did ignite public comment - especially on Thursday from social media users.

In apparent solidarity with Nontobeko Sibisi, on Thursday eNCA anchor Iman Rappetti donned a red doek (not on air) while other eNCA reporters were seen in a doek selfie.

Meanwhile the EFF in a statement on Thursday said eNCA's banning of the doek is worse than the SABC's censorship of protest coverage on SABC News.

The EFF slammed eNCA for allegedly remaining "trapped in the colonial mode of aesthetic representation of black people" and that it's "a colonial anti-black racist denial of African aesthetic expression".

The EFF said that "eNCA is saying wearing a doek, which is a famous popular wear for African women, religious and otherwise, is not aesthetically befitting of television journalism. Thus, African women who choose to have the doek, must then feel incomplete or inferior for their aesthetic choices".

"eNCA must live with this fact and take the opportunity to transform even its aesthetic appearances to look like a television news program that is in Africa, by Africans and for Africans".

Prof. Anton Harber, editor-in-chief at eNCA says the news channel has "initiated an internal process to ensure our policy is in line with our corporate and national values, and that it embraces the diversity of our staff and audience."

"We look forward to a rich debate about how we do this, and are confident that it will enhance our news product".