This is a story about the man behind a photograph that has sparked a national campaign of protest against censorship by state radio and television broadcaster the SABC.
The image is of 60-year-old Foeta Krige‚ one of the senior journalists suspended last week by the SABC
It was taken shortly after his suspension‚ by Krige’s 26-year-old daughter‚ Jamaine‚ at their family home in Florida in Johannesburg.
“My dad keeps all his old camera equipment next to his bed‚ including the now infamous tape used in the photo. He called me over and asked if he taped his mouth up‚ whether I would take the photo. I said of
course‚” said Jamaine. “We took it right next to the bed‚ using a white curtain as a background.”
Speaking to TMG Digital this week‚ when asked what she thought was going through her father’s mind at the time‚ Jamaine said: “That they can maybe stop him from talking to his colleagues and the media but they can’t take away his freedom of expression.
“And all I was thinking was that I was so proud of this man standing in front of me with tape over his mouth and fire in his eyes‚ and that I had never been more honoured to call him my dad and my mentor‚” she added.
Overwhelmed by support from friends‚ family‚ journalists‚ SABC employees and members of the public‚ Jamaine said that people were starting to realise how the broadcaster’s decision “directly influences them”.
Described as a “supportive‚ warm and loving” father‚ Krige was one of three journalists suspended by the SABC for allegedly contravening an order by the public broadcaster not to cover protest actions.
He was suspended along with Suna Venter‚ a senior producer at RSG Current Affairs‚ and economics editor Thandeka Gqubule‚ pending a disciplinary hearing.
“After the suspension‚ I took the photograph of my dad‚ with tape over his mouth and his hands covering his ears. He immediately uploaded it onto Facebook.
“The next day I decided to show my solidarity with him by doing the same‚ with the hashtag #IStandWithFoetaSunaThandeka.
“Since then‚ it has just taken off. Journalists‚ editors‚ entire newsrooms have shown their support. As have students and members of the public. I think the reach of the posts goes a long way to show the importance of the cause‚” Jamaine said.
The father of two has been in the journalism industry for 34 years — 24 of those years were spent at the SABC.
Krige spent 1990 to 1995 in the public broadcaster’s Johannesburg news room and from 1996 to 2002 he was senior producer of RSG current affairs.
According Jamaine‚ Krige then took a two-year break to do video production. He then rejoined RSG as executive producer in 2004 to the present day.
“He will sit and debate with us‚ or philosophise‚ for hours.
“He is very approachable. My sister Dalaine is a 21-year-old student. While my dad and I sit and discuss news and current affairs‚ their favourite topic is history. She also changed her profile picture in support and solidarity‚ as did my mom‚” she said.
The public broadcaster has received nation-wide criticism in recent weeks‚ with members from other media houses including eNCA standing behind the campaign including well-known legal journalist Karyn Maughan.
Jimi Matthews tweeted on Monday that he had resigned as acting CEO of the SABC.
“It is with great sadness that I tender my immediate resignation‚” said his resignation letter.
“For many months I have compromised the values I hold dear under the mistaken belief that I could be more effective inside the SABC than outside‚ passing comment from the side-lines.
“In the process the prevailing‚ corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgment and has made me complicit in many decisions which I am not proud of.
“What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be a part of it‚” the letter said.
However‚ SABC Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng says there is no revolt within the organisation.
Motsoeneng made this comment during the announcement of a new Acting Group CEO‚ James Aguma‚ following the resignation with immediate effect of Matthews.
“When one or two persons cough‚ it does not mean all of us have ‘flu. People at SABC are very excited. There is no revolt within the organisation‚” Motsoeneng said.
Jamaine added that while the support has meant a lot to her and her family‚ a part of her is still hurt by the silence of former colleagues and friends within the organisation.
“The initial aim of my post was not to go viral or start a trend; it was a plea to those within the organisation to stand up and make their voices heard.
“And it was a plea that was headed by so many people‚ but ignored where it mattered most. I’m not asking for much — all I’m asking is that people stand up for what is right‚ and if you are going to be counted‚ make sure that you’re standing on the right side of history‚” she said.
Members of the media will join a demonstration outside the SABC offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg on Friday‚ July 1.
The story behind the viral protest photo of a suspended SABC senior journalist
This is a story about the man behind a photograph that has sparked a national campaign of protest against censorship by state radio and television broadcaster the SABC.
The image is of 60-year-old Foeta Krige‚ one of the senior journalists suspended last week by the SABC
It was taken shortly after his suspension‚ by Krige’s 26-year-old daughter‚ Jamaine‚ at their family home in Florida in Johannesburg.
“My dad keeps all his old camera equipment next to his bed‚ including the now infamous tape used in the photo. He called me over and asked if he taped his mouth up‚ whether I would take the photo. I said of
course‚” said Jamaine. “We took it right next to the bed‚ using a white curtain as a background.”
Speaking to TMG Digital this week‚ when asked what she thought was going through her father’s mind at the time‚ Jamaine said: “That they can maybe stop him from talking to his colleagues and the media but they can’t take away his freedom of expression.
“And all I was thinking was that I was so proud of this man standing in front of me with tape over his mouth and fire in his eyes‚ and that I had never been more honoured to call him my dad and my mentor‚” she added.
Overwhelmed by support from friends‚ family‚ journalists‚ SABC employees and members of the public‚ Jamaine said that people were starting to realise how the broadcaster’s decision “directly influences them”.
Described as a “supportive‚ warm and loving” father‚ Krige was one of three journalists suspended by the SABC for allegedly contravening an order by the public broadcaster not to cover protest actions.
He was suspended along with Suna Venter‚ a senior producer at RSG Current Affairs‚ and economics editor Thandeka Gqubule‚ pending a disciplinary hearing.
“After the suspension‚ I took the photograph of my dad‚ with tape over his mouth and his hands covering his ears. He immediately uploaded it onto Facebook.
“The next day I decided to show my solidarity with him by doing the same‚ with the hashtag #IStandWithFoetaSunaThandeka.
“Since then‚ it has just taken off. Journalists‚ editors‚ entire newsrooms have shown their support. As have students and members of the public. I think the reach of the posts goes a long way to show the importance of the cause‚” Jamaine said.
The father of two has been in the journalism industry for 34 years — 24 of those years were spent at the SABC.
Krige spent 1990 to 1995 in the public broadcaster’s Johannesburg news room and from 1996 to 2002 he was senior producer of RSG current affairs.
According Jamaine‚ Krige then took a two-year break to do video production. He then rejoined RSG as executive producer in 2004 to the present day.
“He will sit and debate with us‚ or philosophise‚ for hours.
“He is very approachable. My sister Dalaine is a 21-year-old student. While my dad and I sit and discuss news and current affairs‚ their favourite topic is history. She also changed her profile picture in support and solidarity‚ as did my mom‚” she said.
The public broadcaster has received nation-wide criticism in recent weeks‚ with members from other media houses including eNCA standing behind the campaign including well-known legal journalist Karyn Maughan.
Jimi Matthews tweeted on Monday that he had resigned as acting CEO of the SABC.
“It is with great sadness that I tender my immediate resignation‚” said his resignation letter.
“For many months I have compromised the values I hold dear under the mistaken belief that I could be more effective inside the SABC than outside‚ passing comment from the side-lines.
“In the process the prevailing‚ corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgment and has made me complicit in many decisions which I am not proud of.
“What is happening at the SABC is wrong and I can no longer be a part of it‚” the letter said.
However‚ SABC Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng says there is no revolt within the organisation.
Motsoeneng made this comment during the announcement of a new Acting Group CEO‚ James Aguma‚ following the resignation with immediate effect of Matthews.
“When one or two persons cough‚ it does not mean all of us have ‘flu. People at SABC are very excited. There is no revolt within the organisation‚” Motsoeneng said.
Jamaine added that while the support has meant a lot to her and her family‚ a part of her is still hurt by the silence of former colleagues and friends within the organisation.
“The initial aim of my post was not to go viral or start a trend; it was a plea to those within the organisation to stand up and make their voices heard.
“And it was a plea that was headed by so many people‚ but ignored where it mattered most. I’m not asking for much — all I’m asking is that people stand up for what is right‚ and if you are going to be counted‚ make sure that you’re standing on the right side of history‚” she said.
Members of the media will join a demonstration outside the SABC offices in Cape Town and Johannesburg on Friday‚ July 1.
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