Emotions are running high today as 621 employees will be packing their desks and exiting the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) doors today. The national broadcaster has concluded section 189 of the retrenchment process, leaving 100s of people unemployed.
Social media went into a frenzy last year in June, when the SABC first announced that it would be letting go of 20% of its staff members. Workers confronted management and some even resorted to silent protests during working hours. Of the 621, 364 of the retrenched employees will receive severance packages.
An SABC news anchor Desiree Chauke could not contain her tears as her voice broke during a broadcast of the news when she announced that the SABC had concluded it's retrenchment process.
One of the retrenched news anchors Thabile Mbhele wrote, "What would’ve been my last day of maternity leave marks the last day of my journalism career. I had more highs than lows. I loved my job, told horrific & stories that changed people’s lives, met really wonderful people who supported me. Ngiyabonga kakhulu."
Celebrities such as Bonang and Khaya Mthethwa, as well as well known senior journalist Criselda Lewis are extremely heartbroken and lamented all their frustrations on social media.
Bonang Matheba wrote: "The SABC played such a huge role in my career, it's so painful to witness all this! My thoughts go out to all the staff & families impacted by the."
Khaya Mthetwa said: "My heart goes out to the 621 people that lost their jobs at SABC tomorrow is their last day."
...the SABC played such a huge role in my career, it's so painful to witness all this! My thoughts go out to all the staff & families impacted by the #SABCRetrenchments...🙏❤😭
— Chriselda 'Babes We Ndaba' Lewis (@Chriseldalewis) March 31, 2021
Here are more of the reactions:
"It’s a sad reality that hardworking people suffer today because of years of poor decisions & corruption at the top. People who brought the SABC back to glory after those managers left the building with fat payouts, are jobless because of them. Hayi... life," wrote eNCA news anchor Shahan.
"SABC colleagues you are the best. You served the Nation, Africa and the World with distinction. You worked tirelessly during the most difficult time in the History of the country, continent and World during the Pandemic. The Nation is watching," wrote Sophie Mokoena.
