Willemse stands alone in racism saga
UPDATE: Former Springbok Ashwin Willemse’s hopes of having some big names in his ‘team’ in his racism stand-off with pay-TV station SuperSport has been dashed.
Weekend newspaper reports suggested that the saga – a festering boil in desperate need of being lanced – had taken a dramatic turn, with four more presenters that accused SuperSport of racism.
According to the reports, widely shared in the copy-and-paste-brigade in the South African media, presenters Owen Nkumane, Xola Ntshinga, Kaunda Ntunja and Gcobani Bobo also accused the broadcaster of racism, victimisation, pay disparity and intimidation.
While Clinton van der Berg, Communications Manager at SuperSport, confirmed to rugby365 that they had indeed received a letter from MVMT Attorneys, written on behalf of the four presenters, it turned out the complaints from the ‘other four’ had nothing to do with racism.
SuperSport issued a statement on Monday in which they revealed that the broadcaster and ‘some’ of its commentators and presenters have resolved “all the main concerns” raised amicably.
“All parties are committed to continuously create a harmonious working environment,” the statement said.
Unlike Willemse, who chose to turn to the Equality Court to resolve his dispute, the other four and SuperSport addressed and resolved their issues internally.
This follows the attorney’s letter, acting on behalf of the presenters, which was addressed to SuperSport on May 28.
“We received the attorney’s letter some time ago, but agreed with the presenters to investigate the matter and resolve the issues between ourselves,” SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane said.
“All of the issues raised by the presenters have been resolved and we look forward to continue working together to create a great working environment for the SuperSport team.
“All of those commentators and presenters confirm that racism has not played any role in regard to the concerns raised and resolved,” Khobane added.
Speaking on behalf of the commentators and presenters, Owen Nkumane said: “We are happy with the way the whole process has been conducted by SuperSport.
“We have achieved our goals as a collective of a conducive working environment at SuperSport.”
That leaves Willemse on his own in his ugly public spat with the pay-TV station.
It comes at a time when Willemse and his lawyer, Nqobizitha Mlilo, ramped up their battle with SuperSport over the former player’s decision to walk off set during a live broadcast back on May 19.
An initial inquiry into Willemse’s walkout stated that there was ‘no racism’ on the part of fellow presenters Nick Mallet and Naas Botha – ‘naked racism, subtle racism or otherwise’.
Willemse, who refused to participate in the review by Advocate Vincent Maleka because it was ‘not the right forum to air his view’, decided to go to the Equality Court – where he is planning to go head-to-head with SuperSport.
Willemse met with SuperSport management late last week, in the hope of reaching a compromise.
However, they appear no closer to a ‘settlement’ and the presenter’s lawyer, Mlilo, indicated that there is no ‘common ground’.
Mlilo is demanding the release of a second report, allegedly prepared for the company.
In an interview with public broadcaster eNCA, he said the meeting did not have a feeling of reconciliation.
“The meeting was almost meaningless,” Mlilo said in the interview.
SuperSport’s media statements that there is ‘no racism’ and Willemse’s claims that the whole incident is ‘rooted in racism’ will take centre stage when the entire saga plays itself out in court.
@rugby365com
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* To read the full 51-page report, CLICK HERE!
