Media Flaws

As the Manhattans perform, Jacob Zuma is seated in the front row. The camera pans to him and the entire audience erupts into cheerful chaos. Shoo! This dude is popular. Forget the Manhattans. Jacob Zuma is 'the man of the night' - and I mean that literally.

Forget that. Here I am busy canning myself with laughter right now. This BEE nonsense has got to stop, or at least the BEE we’re experiencing right now in South Africa. See the problem with BEE in this country is that all these BEE positions are going to idiots who lack even an iota of intelligence or basic work experience. I'm looking at some inexperienced young SABC journo right now. Yes, of course, I’m jealous. I mean I at times sit with imbeciles who can’t even spell their own names but still manage to drive mercs, beemers and brag about their golf-estate-sized offices. I’m at the Jazz Festival doing what I do best - writing and drinking or drinking and writing (Choose Your Own Adventure - either way I’m going to give you the same ending).   

Before you think inebria has gotten the best of me, allow me to explain why I’m canning myself with laughter, all by myself. You see, right next to me there sits an experienced camera man from the SABC. Perched on the computer in front of me sits this young lad on the verge of a heart attack. I know this because he is sweating and he has just received painkillers and headache tablets simultaneously from the SABC camera guy. I think the source of this headcache/ and potential heart attack is largely due to the following conversation:

 “Relax chana! Once you say the first line you’ll relax and be in touch with your inner journalist.” 

Journo on the verge of heartattack: “Cool. Cool. Are you sure!? 

“Of course, now relax chana.” 

Journo on the verge of heartattack: “Okay… can I have one more headache tablet?”

I get the feeling this old camera guy is deriving some sick joy in watching this boy cower under the pressure and fear of sticking a mike up against an interviewee or vox pops candidates.  But no serious – I think calling an ambulance might be the best I can do here. 

Christ, I’m still sitting across the guy as I type this. His eyes have turned red and he’s in such a state.  It’s Friday. 8pm. I’m on my fourth drink going strong. Never put a laptop in front of me at such occasions.

I can’t wait to read this in the morning. 

Anyway back to the suffering journo from SABC. I just don’t ever recall experiencing such heightened senses of fright before an interview. I guess it could be the fact that he’s here as an SABC representative. And never have Anton Harber’s words of “the culture of fear within SABC corridors” ever rung this true. The boy is in a state. What on earth did they tell him about the Jazz? Did they forget to tell him it was about music and singing khumbaya with locals and foreigners? Watching the Soul Brothers, Wanda baloyi, Jimmy Dludlu and The Manhattans? I’m glad I’m not him right now. 

I wish him all the best though.  

Cheers!