A statement
05 August 2026
On 15 July 2026, my contract with SAFM was terminated following an internal investigation led by the station’s new Programme Manager, Ferdinand Mabalané.
I have remained largely silent about this matter for weeks, doing so out of respect for the organisation and in the hope that my concerns would be heard through the appropriate channels. Unfortunately, despite writing to SABC executives and board members, I received no meaningful response.
Today, I feel compelled to share my experience, not only for myself, but for the many freelancers and independent contractors who often feel powerless when faced with decisions that can dramatically alter their livelihoods.
When Ferdinand Mabalané was introduced to staff in March 2026, he publicly referred to me as someone who had allegedly contributed to his departure from Kaya FM many years ago because he had hired me. This came as a surprise to me and in my view, was inaccurate.
My professional relationship with him at Kaya FM lasted only a few months in the early 2000s. At the time, staff were informed that shareholders wanted different leadership and that was the extent of my understanding of his departure. Although I hoped to discuss and clarify this matter with him, that opportunity never arose.
For five years, I had successfully curated and presented a radio programme that I was specifically contracted to create and host. It was a show built around music discovery, not listener requests. On 30 May 2026, I arrived to present the programme and encountered yet another series of technical challenges. Equipment failures had become increasingly common, and on that day the microphone I relied upon was malfunctioning, making an already demanding broadcast even more difficult. Near the end of the show, a listener sent a WhatsApp message requesting a song. In keeping with the spirit of the programme and the light-hearted responses I had often given over the years, I replied: “Why don’t you nlav it for yourself though?” The listener took offence to the response and—
The following day, 31 May, a far more significant issue occurred. Approximately 40 minutes into my broadcast, the studio suffered a complete technical failure. Main Control was forced to go off-air for 2/4 hours over programming while engineers attempted to resolve the problem.
In radio, a breakdown of this magnitude is serious. For nearly two hours, I was unable to use the tools required to do my job and emergency measures had to be implemented to keep the station on air.
This was the second major technical breakdown affecting my programme within a matter of months. I was frustrated and deeply concerned, not only because the incident affected listeners, sponsors, and advertisers, but also because it inevitably reflected poorly on me as the presenter, despite being entirely outside my control.
While driving home after the broadcast, I received a message from Mr. Mabalané asking me to urgently respond to an email he had sent. Given the severity of the transmission failure, I assumed the communication related to that incident—it did not.
Instead, the focus was on my WhatsApp exchange with the listener from the previous day. I was informed that the exchange had become widespread. I searched various platforms but could not find evidence suggesting it had gained significant traction.
The contrast was difficult for me to understand. A major broadcast failure affecting listeners and advertisers appeared to receive less immediate attention than a brief private exchange with a listener. On 1 June, I wrote a strongly worded email expressing my concerns about the transmission breakdown and what I perceived as the lack of urgency surrounding it. A few days later, I was suspended.
I was unaware of the suspension letter because I did not receive it on my phone due to storage issues. When I arrived at the station on 6 June to present my programme, I discovered that another presenter had already been scheduled in my place. I was informed that I should not be broadcasting.
I subsequently received a charge sheet and was instructed to submit a response by 9 June. I did so within the prescribed deadline. However, I was also informed that additional matters were being investigated. Despite repeated attempts, I was never given clarity regarding what had occurred.
On 6 June, I completed a broadcast before being removed from the schedule. As required, I submitted an invoice for that work and the payment was withheld on the basis that it formed part of the broader investigation.
To this day, I have not been compensated for that programme, despite the existence of the audio record confirming the broadcast took place. For any freelancer, being denied payment for work already completed is both financially and emotionally difficult.
On 15 July 2026, the investigation concluded and my contract was terminated on the grounds of an alleged breach of contract. I strongly dispute that decision. My concern is not merely that I lost a position—people lose jobs every day. My concern is whether the process was fair, transparent and consistent with the agreement that both parties voluntarily entered into.
It is important to note that this was not a casual arrangement. I had signed a two-year contract that commenced on 1 April 2026. I believed I was entitled to the contractual protections and procedures set out in that agreement.
Had I remained at SAFM, I would have celebrated 30 years in radio in June. When I look back on nearly three decades in broadcasting, I do so with pride. Radio has been my life’s work. It has allowed me to connect with audiences, support South African music and build relationships with listeners across the country.
For that reason, this experience has been deeply painful. I am not speaking out because I want my job back—I do not! What I want is accountability and an independent assessment of whether the terms of my contract were honoured and whether the actions taken against me were fair.
I am now raising funds to pursue legal action in the High Court and this is a fight I do not undertake lightly. Litigation is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining. However, I believe the issues involved extend beyond my personal circumstances.
Since sharing parts of my experience privately, I have heard from numerous presenters and freelancers who feel they have experienced similar treatment but lacked the resources to challenge it. Independent contractors often have limited protections and few practical avenues for recourse. Many simply walk away because they cannot afford to fight. I have decided that I will not.
I am asking for support from those who believe that contracts should be honoured, that due process matters and that no individual should be denied a fair hearing simply because they lack institutional power.
To everyone who has reached out with messages of encouragement, concern and kindness, thank you. Your support has carried me through one of the most difficult periods of my professional life.
Ke a leboga. Modimo ke oo.
With gratitude and respect,
Kgomotso KG Moeketsi
