Senior SABC exec investigated over sexual harassment, hasn't been suspended months after victims came forward with claims.

by Thinus Ferreira

A senior executive at South Africa's public broadcaster is being investigated after he has been accused by trade unions of sexual harassment.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) and the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) have sent a letter to the SABC board accusing the senior level SABC executive of ongoing sexual harassment, the Sunday World newspaper reported.

According to Aubrey Tshabalala, CWU general-secretary, the SABC board was told about the sexual harassment allegations in May 2023 and that former SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe ordered Thamsanqa Zikode, SABC chief audit executive, to launch an investigation into the allegations.

According to Aubrey Tshabalala, Manno Bopape, a SABC human resources executive, then allegedly threatened and intimidated the alleged sexually abused and sexually harassed victims.

"It is custom as per the SABC policies that the alleged perpetrators should be immediately suspended pending investigation and it should not be different in this instance as this is a very serious allegation, especially given the influential position that (SABC exec) holds," the CWU and Bemawu letter states.

"We cannot allow for preferential treatment to play itself out just because the alleged offender is a senior in the company. We urge the board to also investigate the male/female ratio of people appointed by the executive's department, as it appears to be in favour of females as opposed to males."

"Lastly, we suggest for the board to conduct a climate survey and a reporting line for sexual harassment at the SABC. We pray for the board to move with the necessary speed concerning this very difficult task and journey and confirm our commitment to work with the board in a zest to turn the SABC around and restore its credibility."

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, says "The SABC views sexual harassment in a serious light and will use its internal policies and procedures to deal with any reported allegations related to it".

Quizzical Pictures removes actor from SABC2's Lithapo following sexual harassment complaints, actress Lorraine Moropa says 'I hope my example will give other women the courage to come forward with their stories'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Quizzical Pictures doesn't want to say what happened to him but according to insiders an actor has now been removed from SABC2's Lithapo set following sexual harassment complaints from one actress currently working on the Sesotho drama series as well as a former cast member.

It's not yet clear whether the actor has been fired from Lithapo, who can't be named and who has been warned before about problematic behaviour.

UPDATE Thursday 23 July 2020 - 18:00 - See the update below at the end of this report.

Earlier this week the Lithapo actress Lorraine Moropa (23) decided that she has had enough and took to social media to describe how she was allegedly constantly being sexually harassed by the actor on the Quizzical Pictures set.

After her, the actress and YFM DJ Altovise Lawrence, responded that the actor allegedly perpetrated the same sexual harassment behaviour in interactions with her on the same set.

Lorraine Moropa wrote that "Being constantly sexually harassed by a male senior at a workplace can not and should not be tolerated".

"Imagine working with someone who undresses you from how he looks at you. Someone that grabs his genitals on a set while looking at your ass or grabs your ass and laughs it off in front of a crew (yes my cases have always been in the presence of my colleagues). That to me is worse than a slap in the face."

"This is a father, who also happens to speak highly of their daughter whom by the way, is practically my age and also in the industry. I wonder if he would appreciate his daughter coming home with half the stories I have to go home and tell my mother due to his actions," Lorraine Moropa wrote.

"I did not sleep my way into any role and I refuse for my process to get into this industry and cement my name just for it to be tainted by an someone who has zero self-control or respect for us as professionals in the industry. Enough is enough."

Altovise Lawrence said that she "stands in solidarity with Lorraine Moropa who has had the courage to come out and say that she has been sexually harassed by an actor on set. The same man that sexually harassed her has sexually harassed me too on the very same set".

"I’m sorry I didn’t speak out when it happened Lorraine Moropa. But, I’m saying something now. What happened was disgusting and it can’t continue. I believe you. I support you. I’ve got you, sis."

The actresses received an outpouring of support from women in South Africa's TV and film industry ranging from Rami Chuene, Portia Gumede, Didintle Khunou, Dineo Langa, Thuso Mbedu and Florence Masebe to Rosie Motene.

After Quizzical Pictures on Tuesday in a statement said that it is "dealing with the issue", the production company in a follow-up statement on Thursday says that "Quizzical Pictures has resolved the issue on the Lithapo set".

Quizzical Pictures doesn't want to use the words sexual harassment and isn't willing to say how it resolved "the issue".

"The actress concerned is comfortable with the outcome," says Quizzical Pictures. "We would like to thank the cast and crew for their patience. Quizzical Pictures remains committed to creating a fair and respectful workplace for our cast and crew."

About the sexual harassment, Lorraine Moropa in a statement on Thursday says "this was the second reported incident caused by the same man who I had reported earlier this year".

"I have had discussions with Quizzical Pictures in which they have assured me of their intention to remedy the situation. I have been informed on the steps that they will be taking against the actor in question and I am happy with those steps."

"I wish to stand with all South African women when I say that enough is enough, and we will not be silenced."

"We will keep reporting these cases until we are taken seriously and until there are real consequences for perpetrators of sexual harassment and sexual violence in our communities. It is unacceptable that women should feel unsafe in their places of work or in their homes."

"I hope to encourage other women in the industry to do the same. We cannot fix the system until we expose the people who are creating it as well as those who benefit from protecting it."

"I hope my example will give other women the courage to come forward with their stories. We need our collective power to bring the perpetrators to justice," says Lorraine Moropa.

UPDATE Thursday 23 July 2020 - 18:00 - "Quizzical Pictures would like to announce that following the allegations of sexual harassment on the production Lithapo, we have taken a decision to remove the actor from the production with immediate effect. He is no longer part of the production and the story is being rewritten," says producer Harriet Gavshon in a statement.

"Quizzical Pictures deeply regrets the hurt that this has caused and would like to thank the actress for her bravery and speaking out against it."

"We take sexual harassment very seriously and will not tolerate any form of misconduct in our productions."

"We reiterate that this goes against our values, we subscribe to the Sister Working in Film and Television (Swift) and Independent Producers Organisation (IPO) code of conduct. All cast and crew sign declarations against sexual harassment as part of their contracts and Quizzical Pictures run sexual harassment workshops before any production begins."

"We endeavour to take swift action against any sexual harassment or act of misconduct whenever it manifests itself on our productions. We call upon all our cast and crew to come out and report any form of misconduct they may experience on all our productions."

"We stand in solidarity with all women in our society who have experienced this act. We equally condemn any act of harassment against all women in our society."

"We would like to thank the cast and crew for their patience while this matter was being dealt with. We remain committed to making our sets safe for all our cast and crew and have undertaken to review all our systems in this regard," says Harriet Gavshon.


ALSO READ: Alleged ongoing sexual harassment allegations on SABC2's Lithapo prompts investigation as Quizzical Pictures removes but doesn't fire problem actor from set.

Alleged ongoing sexual harassment allegations on SABC2's Lithapo prompts investigation as Quizzical Pictures removes but doesn't fire problem actor from set.

by Thinus Ferreira

Complaints from two actresses, one currently working on and a former cast member, on SABC2's Sesotho drama series Lithapo has prompted an investigation by production company Quizzical Pictures that has removed the actor from the set.

The Lithapo actress Lorraine Moropa (23) decided she's had enough and is speaking up and took to social media to describe how she is allegedly constantly being sexually harassed by an actor on the Quizzical Pictures set.

After her, the actress and YFM DJ Altovise Lawrence, responded that the actor allegedly perpetrated the same sexual harassment behaviour in interactions with her on the same set.

According to insiders, the actor - who has been warned before - has been removed from the set but has not been fired.

Lorraine Moropa wrote that "Being constantly sexually harassed by a male senior at a workplace can not and should not be tolerated".

"Imagine working with someone who undresses you from how he looks at you. Someone that grabs his genitals on a set while looking at your ass or grabs your ass and laughs it off in front of a crew (yes my cases have always been in the presence of my colleagues). That to me is worse than a slap in the face."

"This is a father, who also happens to speak highly of their daughter whom by the way, is practically my age and also in the industry. I wonder if he would appreciate his daughter coming home with half the stories I have to go home and tell my mother due to his actions," Lorraine Moropa wrote.

"I did not sleep my way into any role and I refuse for my process to get into this industry and cement my name just for it to be tainted by an someone who has zero self-control or respect for us as professionals in the industry. Enough is enough."

Altovise Lawrence said that she "stands in solidarity with Lorraine Moropa who has had the courage to come out and say that she has been sexually harassed by an actor on set. The same man that sexually harassed her has sexually harassed me too on the very same set".

"I’m sorry I didn’t speak out when it happened Lorraine Moropa. But, I’m saying something now. What happened was disgusting and it can’t continue. I believe you. I support you. I’ve got you, sis."

On Tuesday TVwithThinus asked the SABC in a media enquiry what exactly the public broadcaster about the alleged ongoing sexual harassment on the Quizzical Pictures production.

SABC2 publicist Lebo Malete on Tuesday evening responded by emailing the statement photo that Quizzical Pictures put on social media earlier on Tuesday.

In it, Quizzical Pictures said that "Quizzical Pictures is aware of the sexual harassment accusations made on social media which pertains to one of our sets."

"We take the issue extremely seriously. We subscribe to the SWIFT and Independent Producers' Organisation (IPO) conde of conduct. All cast and crew sign declarations against sexual harassment as part of their contracts and Quizzical Pictures run sexual harassment workshops before any production begins."

"We are dealing with this issue with the people concerned".

The SABC was asked if the actor has been removed from the Lithapo set and whether that happened immediately and if he was told not to have any contact with the rest of the cast and crew any further.

The SABC was also asked if an investigation was started into the allegations, and if so, who is doing it, if it's an independent outside investigation, or done by the Quizzical Pictures or the SABC, and when it was that complaints were received about the person.

The SABC and SABC2 were asked if there is any statement from the public broadcaster and its TV channel about how it regards these allegations, and if, for instance, it is something that the SABC takes seriously and that the SABC sees as a problem.

The SABC was also asked if the person or people who complained are getting any counselling at the moment, and if so, in what form, and if the SABC or the production company have been aware of any prior complaints regarding sexual harassment about the person.

The SABC and SABC2 haven't responded to these specific questions at the time of publication but responses will be added here if received.

UPDATE Wednesday 22 July 2020 14:40 - The SABC says in a statement:

"The SABC strongly condemns abuse and as part of its continuous commitment, the corporation has put measures in place to transform the public broadcaster into a truly accountable and responsive corporate entity".

"The SABC can confirm that it is aware of the matter raised, however, it should be noted that the production house responsible for Lithapo is dealing with the matter directly. We are therefore not in a position to respond to these allegations and all questions should be directed to the production house."


ALSO READ: Quizzical Pictures removes actor from SABC2's Lithapo following sexual harassment complaints, actress Lorraine Moropa says 'I hope my example will give other women the courage to come forward with their stories'.

MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela denies sexual harassment claims within the pay-TV service and SuperSport; 'if there are cases happening at the MultiChoice Group, rest assured I will act there and then'.

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO, says he is not aware of any new sexual harassment claims that have been officially been made against people working at the Randburg-based satellite pay-TV service or divisions like SuperSport, and that in instances where such cases are reported, MultiChoice will act on it.

Calvo Mawela addressed sexual harassment when the topic surfaced as a joint press conference on Thursday of MultiChoice and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) at the PSL head office in Parktown, Johannesburg where the PSL and MultiChoice announced a format change to the MultiChoice Diski Challenge competition.

Allegations and rumours have been swirling that SuperSport fired the sports presenter Robert Marawa in mid-May after he allegedly protected or stood up for an unnamed woman or women who work at SuperSport and who have allegedly been sexually harassed by their bosses.

After getting axed by SuperSport, Robert Marawa on social media said "Imagine paying for a service where people who are guilty of sexual harassment are employed and encouraged to work".

SuperSport didn't respond to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus asking about this in May following the axing of Robert Marawa.

A former SuperSport employee, Mmaphuti Mashamaite took to social media, alleging that a former boss is "a sexual predator", saying "I was painted as a loose goose, wild child. Just to cover for a sexual predator at work. I had three mental breakdowns soon after. I got less bookings. I couldn't talk. I can't talk still".

Calvo Mawela on Thursday said that SuperSport firing Robert Marawa had nothing to do with sexual harassment.

"It’s a very complex matter because we are dealing with a contract that was not renewed and then sexual harassment cases are being spread through social media. If there are sexual harassment cases that people are saying are happening within the MultiChoice Group‚ rest assured I will act there and then on such culprits‚ and act decisively on them."

"Let me be very clear on sexual harassment: I will not tolerate sexual harassment and I will act decisively on anybody who is found to be acting untowards‚ especially taking advantage of vulnerable women".

"So those allegations‚ unfortunately‚ are allegations that we have heard‚ that we have seen everywhere‚ but we have never seen anything coming through to the company saying this has happened, and unfortunately I can’t comment on those that we have seen circulating on social media," said Calvo Mawela.

While alleged sexual harassment is described as 'a real problem' within SuperSport, insiders allege that Robert Marawa was fired for personally upsetting South Africa's soccer bosses - report.

While alleged sexual harassment is described as "a real problem" within SuperSport according to insiders, Robert Marawa was not fired by SuperSport this past week because he tried to stand up for staffers but because SuperSport allegedly got rid of him to appease South African football bosses who don't like his coverage.

SuperSport abruptly fired the veteran sports broadcaster this week as the face of Thursday Night Live with Marawa on SuperSport 4 (DStv 204) who was missing in action from his sports commentary show on Thursday night.

Co-host Thato Moeng anchored the show on her own and repeatedly kept saying it's "the last show" with no explanation regarding Robert Marawa's disappearance.

SuperSport said that getting rid of the veteran and beloved sports presenter is part of a refresh of its local presenters' line-up and said in a statement that "this restructure includes us not pursuing our contractual relationship with Robert Marawa".

Robert Marawa who referred to people inside SuperSport as the "mafia" in a tweet on social media alleged that he was fired due to allegations of sexual harassment within SuperSport ranks that he spoke up about.

SuperSport didn't respond to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus in the week seeking comment about these allegations.

On Friday SuperSport was asked in a media enquiry for its response to allegations about a TV director sexually harassing women, whether SuperSport is investigating these claims, why specifically Robert Marawa was fired and when SuperSport will announce which other on-air talent will no longer be working for SuperSport. SuperSport's spokesperson Clinton van der Berg didn't respond.

Many DStv subscribers and SuperSport viewers have been reacting in anger, saying on social media that they have, are and will be cancelling their DStv subscriptions with MultiChoice.

After he was fired, Robert Marawa in a radio interview on Friday slammed SuperSport, SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane, and broadcasting executives "who don't know the business", and asked SuperSport to be honest with the people, saying "Why lie to people?".

On Sunday City Press reported that according to insiders SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane allegedly "was just carrying out that directive" to fire Robert Marawa in accordance with the wishes of South African football bigwigs who have taken personal offence over some of Robert Marawa's coverage and commentary on SuperSport.

"I can tell you that one of the reasons Robert’s contract was not renewed is that the sporting federations are unhappy with the way he portrays them publicly,” said a SuperSport insider quoted in the City Press report.

Another insider alleged that "sexual harassment is a real problem" at SuperSport and that Robert Marawa challenged Giden Khobane in 2018 to "take action and protect his female colleagues at the office, but instead he got angry and defensive because it involved his two henchmen".

Clinton van der Berg is quoted in the City Press article stating that sexual harassment was unrelated to SuperSport's decision to fire Robert Marawa in the week.

As the SABC joins the global #MeToo movement with an official inquiry into sexual harassment and sex-for-jobs, the public broadcaster's boss says 'it has to do with courage and saying we're fixing'.

The SABC announced that the South African public broadcaster is officially joining the global #MeToo movement again sexual harassment in the workplace and launching a wide-ranging commission of inquiry over sex-for-jobs at the SABC, with acting CEO, Nomsa Philiso saying "it has to do with courage".

With the SABC officially taking the lead in South Africa's film and TV industry about a topic that broadcasting and executives shy away from and don't want to talk about or properly and officially want to investigate, the SABC is throwing down the gauntlet.

The SABC's official investigation is placing pressure on other other big broadcasters and operators - ranging from e.tv and M-Net to MultiChoice and big TV and film production companies - to announce similar official sexual harassment inquiries.

SABC staffers, on-air talent and crew of any SABC show, as well as people who've had interactions with the SABC in whatever level where they've faced sexual harassment, sexual abuse and pressure over sexual favours and sex-for-jobs, are implored to contact the SABC and the commission to share their information and stories.

Submissions about sexual harassment can be emailed to SexualandPersonalfav@sabc.co.za. From 1 June the SABC is also placing submission boxes at the broadcaster's regional offices for people who want to drop off paper documents.

Nomsa Philiso says "the issue of personal favours is quite serious" and will be broad in scope, including unwelcome touching and "just how it makes you feel" to serious allegations about sex-for-jobs inside SABC corridors. "We are going to make sure that we follow this through to the full extent of the law in the event that the veracity of allegations are proven".

For the next two weeks people will also be able to tell the SABC about sexual harassment and abuse they've experienced - with the SABC that wants to hear from both SABC staffers, as well as freelancers who've worked or are working for the SABC, as well as people who've never worked for the SABC but have had interaction with the public broadcaster and encountered sexual harassment or abuse.

"What is important for us is to ensure absolute confidentiality because we recognise that part of why people don't take these issues is it's either [because of] the stigma or just lack of trust in the system of whether or not something will come out of it. We would like to assure our staff and everybody else that we're taking this process seriously because we do think that we need to cleanse ourselves as a starting point."

"This inquiry is not going to be restricted to just permanent SABC staff members," said Nomsa Philiso.


It has to do with courage
"We've heard that some of our freelancers have experienced some of these atrocities so we'd like to extend the commission of inquiry to anyone that has felt aggrieved or harassed by any of the SABC staff members. We have also been informed that there have been some suppliers of services to the SABC who have been asked for personal favours. We're also appealing to them to come and join in the inquiry," said Nomsa Philiso.

"We hear about the youngsters who have aspirations to be in this business. We hear about students who have been lured with promises that have not materialised."

"Those are some of the people - they may not be working for us as freelancers, but I think we all know what happens with the auditions and all of that stuff, and if people have got information that can lead us to cleansing ourselves, we welcome that information".

Nomsa Philiso said the SABC inquiry is "about resetting the tone of our values".

"It's about the rumours that are festering and we don't want to leave them unattended. I believe that one of the responsibilities of leadership is that once you know about something, you have a responsibility to act on it. There was actually a firm allegation by one of the staff members who said we need to investigate the sex-for-jobs issue at the SABC and we believe it's not something we can take lightly."

"This is probably one of the most difficult things to do. Because it has to do with courage. It has to do with people being able to stand up and say 'we're fixing'."

"Why now? Why not then? I just want to say this is as good time as any. Maybe, if anything, it is too late. It may be too late in other instances. But I do believe that at some point, we do need to start," said Nomsa Philiso.

"These things have been bubbling underneath but we have never dealt with it. So we want to open it up and deal with it."

"I do not have any illusion that when we finish this inquiry that those things will not happen again because our society is what it is. What I'm hoping for, is that it start to change the tone and does not enable. By keeping quiet I believe that to a large extent we're enabling".

The organisation Sisters Working in Film and Television (Swift) said it commends the SABC for taking this step, saying "it's something that as an organisation we've been working on for the last two years. For people in leadership to be actively taking action in this direction is very encouraging".

Women in South Africa have become vocal about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and more are sharing their personal stories.

In December 2017 the #NotInMyName organisation held public protest action at the entrance of the MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, Johannesburg, over allegations that female MultiChoice staffers have been raped and victimised through sexual harassment.

Protesters were furious over the way MultiChoice has allegedly not been doing enough to help a rape victim working at MultiChoice and to address sexual harassment of workers.

In April 2018 a female extra made allegations about on-set sexual harassment in Durban on the set of e.tv's Imbewu - The Seed soap.

Swift, aimed at protecting and advancing the cause of women in the South African film and television industry, conducted research in 2017 with the study that uncovered widespread sexism, sexual harassment and unfair labour practices being experienced by women in the South African film and TV industry.

Over 70% of women surveyed and working in South Africa's film and TV industry said that they have felt violated in the workplace. Over 71% said that there was no platform or person available on-set that they could rely on for support or could report abuse.

SABC starts two commissions of enquiry to investigate editorial interference in the SABC newsroom, as well as sexual harassment at the public broadcaster.

The SABC's acting CEO, Nomsa Philiso, announced that the South African public broadcaster is starting two commissions of enquiry - one into possible editorial interference into SABC News, and one into sexual harassment and abuse.

Joe Thloloe, executive director of the Press Council will lead the commission of inquiry into possible SABC newsroom interference - both political and commercial interference as well as possible interference by NGO pressure groups - with SABC staffers as well as the public that can make submissions between 1 to 15 June, after which oral hearings will take place from 15 June.

This inquiry into editorial interference at the SABC will cover the time period of 2012 to 2018 with a legal firm assisting Joe Thloloe and Nomsa Philiso saying "I do not want anybody from the SABC at all to be part of the panel - whether junior or senior. I believe the panel should be as independent as possible".

The SABC hopes to finish by 15 July and to have a draft report ready by 8 August that will be shared with the media.

Submissions for editorial interference can be sent to NewsInquiry@sabc.co.za and for sexual harassment to SexualandPersonalfav@sabc.co.za. From 1 June the SABC is also placing submission boxes at the broadcaster's regional offices for people who want to drop off paper documents.

Nomsa Philiso said the SABC feels it hasn't "done justice" to allegations regarding editorial interference into the operations of the SABC newsroom and said the one inquiry is being done because if you "don't fix it festers and it becomes a bigger issue".

"From an SABC point of view, it's absolutely key that the integrity of news is beyond question. We want to start by saying that we are in the phase of renewal, we are in the phase of fixing, and this is one of the things we are starting to do as we go into the road of recovery."

"One of the things we find ourselves in, is more often than not, the SABC makes headlines for the wrong reasons. And the things that are within our control, and the things that we can clean up, we do feel that we need to prioritise those."

Nomsa Philiso said the inquiry into editorial interference is "not a witch hunt of any shape or form". "What is important for us, is for us to learn the lessons, and also to see how we can future-proof our newsroom to make sure that the mistakes of the past won't happen again and to actually understand the environment - to say why did they happen and what can we do to make sure that those things don't happen again".

"We hope that some of the things that come out of this inquiry will help us to enhance and improve the SABC's editorial policy. This is not about a witch hunt but about repositioning the SABC and making that going forward we're not going to repeat the mistakes of the past."

The SABC's second commission of inquiry is about sexual harassment in the workplace, with Nomsa Philiso saying "the issue of personal favours is quite serious" and will be broad in scope, including unwelcome touching and "just how it makes you feel" to serious allegations about sex-for-jobs inside SABC corridors. "We are going to make sure that we follow this through to the full extent of the law in the event that the veracity of allegations are proven".

For the next two weeks people will also be able to tell the SABC about sexual harassment and abuse they've experienced - with the SABC that wants to hear from both SABC staffers, as well as freelancers who've worked or are working for the SABC, as well as people who've never worked for the SABC but have had interaction with the public broadcaster and encountered sexual harassment or abuse.

"What is important for us is to ensure absolute confidentiality because we recognise that part of why people don't take these issues is it's either [because of] the stigma or just lack of trust in the system of whether or not something will come out of it. We would like to assure our staff and everybody else that we're taking this process seriously because we do think that we need to cleanse ourselves as a starting point."

"This inquiry is not going to be restricted to just permanent SABC staff members," said Nomsa Philiso.


It has to do with courage
"We've heard that some of our freelancers have experienced some of these atrocities so we'd like to extend the commission of inquiry to anyone that has felt aggrieved or harassed by any of the SABC staff members. We have also been informed that there have been some suppliers of services to the SABC who have been asked for personal favours. We're also appealing to them to come and join in the inquiry."

"We hear about the youngsters who have aspirations to be in this business. We hear about students who have been lured with promises that have not materialised."

"Those are some of the people - they may not be working for us as freelancers, but I think we all know what happens with the auditions and all of that stuff, and if people have got information that can lead us to cleansing ourselves, we welcome that information".

Nomsa Philiso said the SABC inquiries are "about resetting the tone of our values".

"It's about the rumours that are festering and we don't want to leave them unattended. I believe that one of the responsibilities of leadership is that once you know about something, you have a responsibility to act on it. There was actually a firm allegation by one of the staff members who said we need to investigate the sex-for-jobs issue at the SABC and we believe it's not something we can take lightly."

"This is probably one of the most difficult things to do. Because it has to do with courage. It has to do with people being able to stand up and say 'we're fixing'. Why now? Why not then? I just want to say this is as good time as any. Maybe, if anything, it is too late. it may be too late in other instances. But I do believe that at some point, we do need to start," said Nomsa Philiso.

"These things have been bubbling underneath but we have never dealt with it. So we want to open it up and deal with it."

"I do not have any illusion that when we finish this inquiry that those things will not happen again because our society is what it is. What I'm hoping for, is that it start to change the tone and does not enable. By keeping quiet I believe that to a large extent we're enabling".

The organisation Sisters Working in Film and Television (Swift) said it commends the SABC for taking this step, saying "it's something that as an organisation we've been working on for the last two years. For people in leadership to be actively taking action in this direction is very encouraging".

Public protest at MultiChoice City as #NotInMyName organisation says female MultiChoice staffers are victimised through sexual harassment.

A public protest was held on Friday morning in front of Naspers' pay-TV unit MultiChoice at its MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, Johannesburg where the #NotInMyName organisation, as well as some MultiChoice staffers participated in picketing over allegations of rape and sexual harassment of women at the pay-TV company.

Protesters are furious over the way MultiChoice has allegedly not been doing enough to help a rape victim working at MultiChoice and to address sexual harassment of workers.

Siyabulela Jentile of the #NotInMyName organisation says women working at MultiChoice are being victimised through sexual harassment and that "there are women here [at MultiChoice] who say that they have been sexually harassed".

The new MultiChoice South Africa CEO Calvo Mawela on Friday met #NotInMyName protesters.

MultiChoice didn't issue a public press statement following the protest and Calvo Mawela's meeting with them.

Earlier in the week MultiChoice said the satellite pay-TV operator will start a "thorough investigation" after a South African woman who is still working for MultiChoice and previously said she was raped in 2014, allegedly made new and further revelations, saying she was also raped by senior MultiChoice colleagues in 2014.

When the victim complained to a MultiChoice executive about further issues regarding the alleged abusive culture inside MultiChoice, the executive called Simon allegedly told her in an email: "cheers".

Siyabulela Jentile says the worker who says she was raped after a late night work shift that ends at 23:00 has not received adequate support from MultiChoice.

"There is a culture [at MultiChoice] of disrespecting women".

He said "we are calling on all women, not only on those of MultiChoice, to actually come out and speak out against corporate sexual harassment."

Mandisa Mashego of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political party says "MultiChoice makes their workers knock off late in the dead of the night and then find themselves having to walk to taxi ranks at midnight often."