By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Seasoned broadcaster Robert Marawa has confirmed his departure from the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Marawa in a tweet said that he was informed via WhatsApp text that he must not to report to work for his show on Friday.
It’s the second time that Marawa has been fired by the public broadcaster after the two were at loggerheads in 2017.
Marawa returned to the broadcast to run a simulcast sports show that aired on Radio 2000 and Metro FM called Marawa Sports Worldwide (MSW).
He shared a WhatsApp text message exchange with SABC acting station manager Kina Nhlengethwa in which the latter said.
So after serving the Public Broadcaster through time, I am sent yet another text from a person in an “acting” position informing me of this.????
Same modus operandi as SS.What do they fear about the last Show??
Thank you Mzansi for the love & support thru the years. #MSW ?? pic.twitter.com/WIoqZpbFX0
— robertmarawa (@robertmarawa) July 30, 2021
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) had earlier announced the departure of Marawa and Vaylen Kirtley from the public broadcaster.
“The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), would like to announce the departure of renowned sports broadcasters, Mr. Robert Marawa and Ms. Vaylen Kirtley. Robert Marawa departs following the conclusion of the MSW (Marawa Sport Worldwide), which Marawa presented on both METRO FM and Radio 2000 simultaneously.
“Ms. Kirtley presented the Sport segment of 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 said.
“The SABC would like to wish Mr. Marawa and Ms. Kirtley well in their future endeavours and appreciates their contribution to SABC Sport programming.”
In July 2017, Marawa was fired from Metro FM.
The decision was taken due to behind-the-scenes in-fighting. Three weeks before his axing, Robert had refused to return to his sports show in solidarity with his producer, Beverly Maphangwa, whom he believed had been unfairly suspended after playing clips on-air that included commentary from pay-channel SuperSport.
After a public spat the SABC took him off air. And then he came back.
Meanwhile fans were shocked by the news and took to Twitter to hail the broadcaster, and urged him to stream his show from his own station online.