AFRO-JAZZ singer Yandisa Tiyane, who was scheduled to perform on e.tv's Sunrise Breakfast Show yesterday, claims his performance was cancelled because he is an ex-convict .
The Eastern Cape singer, whose stage name is X-Ofenda, says his appearance on the breakfast show was only cancelled after the producer of the show asked him whether it was just a stage name or if he really was an ex-offender.
"I told them it was both. But then I asked why my past was important," Tiyane of Qunu says.
"She told me that it would not be appropriate to deal with someone who has a criminal record."
Tiyane says he is disappointed that he is being judged by the free-to-air channel because of his past.
He adds: "I got out of jail in January 2009. I'm currently doing motivational talks, looking at the challenges faced by ex-convicts in society. I had already bought a bus ticket to Johannesburg."
Sunrise is presented by Sindy Mabe on weekdays between 6am and 9am.
Tiyane says the channel called him on Friday about a possible feature.
e.tv general manager of communications Matlapulana Ragoasha says Sunrise supports the South African music industry and is always keen to engage with a variety of talented local artists.
"But it is important to ensure that the entertainers we invite for interviews are relevant to what we cover in the show at all times.
"We have received X-Ofenda's music and are looking at scheduling an interview with him at an appropriate time."
Ragoasha says they sometimes have to drop items that are not time-bound for urgent ones.
"We use the Tuesday entertainment slots to feature up-and-coming artists.
"We sometimes have to postpone interviews that are not time-bound."
Tiyane confirms that he was once among the most feared gangsters and has spent seven years behind bars for hijacking cars.
He says all that is in the past because he has started a new chapter of his life as a motivational speaker in schools.
Tiyane says he has realised that people are interested in his talks and compiled a double CD of his songs and talks.
He says he also has a slot on Unitra Community Radio in Umthatha, where he has a weekly motivational slot. - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
e.tv dropped me, claims X-Ofenda
AFRO-JAZZ singer Yandisa Tiyane, who was scheduled to perform on e.tv's Sunrise Breakfast Show yesterday, claims his performance was cancelled because he is an ex-convict .
The Eastern Cape singer, whose stage name is X-Ofenda, says his appearance on the breakfast show was only cancelled after the producer of the show asked him whether it was just a stage name or if he really was an ex-offender.
"I told them it was both. But then I asked why my past was important," Tiyane of Qunu says.
"She told me that it would not be appropriate to deal with someone who has a criminal record."
Tiyane says he is disappointed that he is being judged by the free-to-air channel because of his past.
He adds: "I got out of jail in January 2009. I'm currently doing motivational talks, looking at the challenges faced by ex-convicts in society. I had already bought a bus ticket to Johannesburg."
Sunrise is presented by Sindy Mabe on weekdays between 6am and 9am.
Tiyane says the channel called him on Friday about a possible feature.
e.tv general manager of communications Matlapulana Ragoasha says Sunrise supports the South African music industry and is always keen to engage with a variety of talented local artists.
"But it is important to ensure that the entertainers we invite for interviews are relevant to what we cover in the show at all times.
"We have received X-Ofenda's music and are looking at scheduling an interview with him at an appropriate time."
Ragoasha says they sometimes have to drop items that are not time-bound for urgent ones.
"We use the Tuesday entertainment slots to feature up-and-coming artists.
"We sometimes have to postpone interviews that are not time-bound."
Tiyane confirms that he was once among the most feared gangsters and has spent seven years behind bars for hijacking cars.
He says all that is in the past because he has started a new chapter of his life as a motivational speaker in schools.
Tiyane says he has realised that people are interested in his talks and compiled a double CD of his songs and talks.
He says he also has a slot on Unitra Community Radio in Umthatha, where he has a weekly motivational slot. - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za
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