Panic and anxiety has set in at Sesotho radio station, Lesedi FM, where the SABC retrenchment process is in full swing with some big names and long-serving broadcasters said to be facing the axe.
Sowetan has learnt from three independent sources that employees at the station in Bloemfontein, Free State, who have been made to reapply for their jobs in line with the new organisational structure, are in a panic.
According to insiders, veteran broadcasters including permanent presenters Tholoana “Thuli Baby” Moletsane and Thabo Kofa are among those who have been left anxious about their jobs after it became apparent that they may not be retained under the new structure.
Station manager Mamontha Motaung, who is married to popular broadcaster Thuso Motaung, is also said to have allegedly stepped down from her position and taken her retirement package. But Motaung declined to comment when approached by Sowetan on this. SABC acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo also would not be drawn to confirm or deny that Motaung had resigned as station manager.
A source however told Sowetan that Motaung opted not to apply for the new position of business developer that will see the successful applicant managing Lesedi FM and Tswana radio station Motsweding FM.
“I understand the SABC said her [Motaung's] current position is redundant. I think she opted not to apply for the position … She came from a higher position of being a regional manager to fill this current role,” the source speculated.
Another source said some of the long-serving on-air presenters including Moletsane and Kofa were apprehensive about their future at the station after it became apparent that their positions in the new structure carried reduced salaries.
Another insider said almost everyone permanent at Lesedi FM was on a higher salary scale compared to what is being offered with the new positions.
“So that’s why the SABC has instructed them to reapply for their jobs because everyone permanent there is a manager,” said the insider.
Both Moletsane and Kofa declined to comment, referring Sowetan to Seapolelo.
“The SABC can confirm that as part of its new organisational structure, new positions have been created in line with the organisation’s target operating model, which has been designed with the sole purpose of ensuring the long-term sustainability of a resilient and viable public service broadcaster, as it continues to deliver comprehensively on its public service mandate,” Seapolelo said.
She confirmed that the SABC is currently conducting interviews to fill the 170 new vacant positions in the new organisational structure.
“At this point it would be premature to go into the details of the respective new positions until this process has been finalised,” Seapolelo said.
“In terms of employment contracts, the SABC is not in a position to discuss these with the media, as this is a matter between the SABC and the employee or independent contractor concerned.”
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