Veteran isiZulu newsreader Sakhiwo Sokhela, a familiar face to many South African viewers, has been dismissed from the SABC.
The broadcaster confirmed her departure last week following an incident where she allegedly failed to report for duty and did not inform her superiors in a timely manner. The news has left Sokhela reportedly distraught, particularly given the timing over the holiday season.
According to an inside source at the SABC, this was not an isolated incident. The source explained: "We are all human beings, and we have issues, but with television, you need to inform people on time, especially live television. Either they get a stand-in, replacement, or make a plan, you can't just show up."
The source added, "Sakhiwo had a serious crisis, and that is understandable but going MIA is not good." The gravity of the situation, coupled with the impact on live television broadcasts, appears to have been the deciding factor in the SABC's decision.
The SABC management later learned that Sokhela claimed she had not seen her schedule. A colleague revealed: "She claimed not to have seen the schedule, which everyone receives the same way at the same time. Maybe she missed it – but she could have asked." This explanation, however, appears not to have been sufficient to mitigate the consequences of her absence.
The situation has reportedly taken a significant toll on Sokhela. A close friend and colleague described her state: "She does not know what to say or do, she's not okay. Especially for such a thing to happen during the holiday season, meaning all her plans have been cancelled, and she needs to find work. She has gone home to KZN to cool off even now."
The impact of losing her job, compounded by the stress of the situation and the disruption to her holiday plans, suggests a significant emotional burden.
The SABC spokesperson, Mmoni Seapelo, declined to comment directly on the matter, citing the need to first communicate with all parties involved and management. "It's the holidays, who will pick up their phones regarding the matter," the colleague added, highlighting the challenges of addressing such issues during the festive season.
The lack of immediate comment from the SABC leaves some unanswered questions about the precise details of the events leading to Sokhela's dismissal. However, the information available suggests a confluence of factors, including a pattern of unreported absences, a claimed oversight of the schedule, and the critical nature of live television broadcasting, all contributed to the decision to terminate her employment.
Sokhela's dismissal marks a significant event in the South African broadcasting landscape, given her prominence as a news anchor. Her departure raises questions about the balance between employee well-being and the demands of a high-pressure profession like live television news.
