SA musicians vexed with SABC reply

In the memorandum of grievances the artists requested that the SABC invest itself in promoting artists who need the public platform to broadcast their music, while at the same time purging compilers who accept money to playlist songs.

In the five-page response, the SABC said it was doing its best to give a platform to upcoming artists. The public broadcaster further indicated that the compilers who are employed at the SABC were ethical and performing to the best of their ability to select music.

The artists also requested that scheduling be fair and balanced with content from old and young artist.

“SABC radio stations apply the science of scheduling that does not look at the age of the musician(s) but it focuses on the following categories: new, current, recurrent and gold. Scheduling is shaped by the format of the station,” the broadcaster said in its reply.

The SABC also defended the scheduling practices of its radio stations. “As indicated the playlist is selected according to the sound and feel of individual stations.”

Payola was the focal point in the Artist Movement’s list of grievances. The SABC agreed that payola is an issue but that the organisation is against it, citing two previous cases where DJs were dismissed for payola practices.  

Former Ikwekwezi FM DJ Irvin Kekana was fired from the SABC for accepting bribes to play music on the radio station in 2015. The following year, Ukhozi FM DJ Chilli M was also sacked for accepting remuneration for airplay.

“The responses from the SABC are inadequate, there are too many loopholes,” Artist Movement and #ArtistMarchSABC campaign founder Junior Poulten said. “I will respond to the SABC addressing the specific issues I have with their document. The SABC is not giving artist the recognition or the time they need in order to make a living through their music.”

Members of the Artist Movement marched to the SABC buildings last month to protest corrupt practices at the broadcaster. They are now planning to march again on 26 September to voice their disapproval of the SABC’s response, which they say does not address the concerns they initially raised. Poulten said the movement would continue holding similar marches until their demands were met.

Read the SABC reply to the Artist Movement below