Kobedi “Pepsi” Pokane on Monday denied that his production company had received any preferential treatment in a R167-million contract renewal reportedly pushed through by South African Broadcasting Corporation boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The Sunday Times reported that the chief operating officer had reversed a recommendation by a review panel of six members‚ who had decided not to renew the popular Uzalo drama series for a second season.
READ MORE:Hlaudi Motsoeneng's R167m Zuma TV deal
The SABC confirmed that the “COO overruled the decision not to renew Uzalo‚ based on performance in its genre and growth in revenue”‚ spokesman Kaizer Kganyago told the newspaper.
Pokane — co-owner of Stained Glass Productions‚ which is also co-owned by President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Gugu Zuma-Ncube – told Talk Radio 702 that he now is aware of “internal strife” about the show’s extension‚ but said this had not been communicated to his company at the time.
Pokane said his company’s motivation for the renewal to the SABC was done “by the book” and its reception was “favourable”.
He also dismissed suggestions that Zuma-Ncube’s name “opens door” for the company‚ saying her name can be “both positive and negative”.
Pokane‚ who had declined to confirm the figure to the Sunday Times‚ also said on Monday that the R167-million price tag was incorrect‚ and said it was R158-million‚ and added that the amount was standard for the show’s format and frequency.
Speaking to Redi Tlhabi on Talk Radio 702‚ Pokane explained that‚ to his knowledge‚ the decision to overturn the review board’s recommendation was made after objections were raised by management in the SABC’s sales division.
“Pressure from the sales division of the SABC came into play and questions were asked: 1. Why was this review panel held in the absence of certain key members of management that should have been on the review panel? 2. How is it that a show that is reviving the fortunes of SABC 1‚ in terms of revenue‚ alongside Generations and Skeem Saam is being cancelled?“
“These are all questions that were apparently asked internally and then the question came up: then what is the motivation for cancelling the show if it ticks all the boxes? And that is where the reversal came into play‚” he explained‚ before suggesting that questions could be asked about whether the boards initial decision may in itself have been politically motivated.
Pokane said a letter notifying Stained Glass Productions of the review boards initial decision was never received by him. He confirmed that the producers met with Motsoeneng but denies that the company- which is also co-owned by president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Gugu Zuma- approached and appealed to Motsoeneng to overturn the decision.
“Absolutely not. We have had lots of meeting with Hlaudi. Hlaudi has an open door policy... he meets with people all the time‚” he said.
The Sunday Times further claimed that Uzalo’s creators had asked for a budget of R167 million‚ an amount that Pokane had earlier disputed‚ insisting that it was actually around R158 million. He hit back at critics of the show’s budget‚ saying that it is in line with industry standards.
“I challenge any producer out there to come and tell me that R14 000 is too much...We are getting R14 000 a minute. That is industry standard‚” he added.
Meanwhile‚ Gugu Zuma has responded to the reports‚ taking to Twitter to reveal a “few” facts. She denied that the show was decommissioned and distanced herself from any reports of her receiving preferential treatment because of her relation to the president.”
‘Internal strife’ at SABC over Uzalo renewal: Zuma daughter’s business partner says
Kobedi “Pepsi” Pokane on Monday denied that his production company had received any preferential treatment in a R167-million contract renewal reportedly pushed through by South African Broadcasting Corporation boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The Sunday Times reported that the chief operating officer had reversed a recommendation by a review panel of six members‚ who had decided not to renew the popular Uzalo drama series for a second season.
READ MORE:Hlaudi Motsoeneng's R167m Zuma TV deal
The SABC confirmed that the “COO overruled the decision not to renew Uzalo‚ based on performance in its genre and growth in revenue”‚ spokesman Kaizer Kganyago told the newspaper.
Pokane — co-owner of Stained Glass Productions‚ which is also co-owned by President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Gugu Zuma-Ncube – told Talk Radio 702 that he now is aware of “internal strife” about the show’s extension‚ but said this had not been communicated to his company at the time.
Pokane said his company’s motivation for the renewal to the SABC was done “by the book” and its reception was “favourable”.
He also dismissed suggestions that Zuma-Ncube’s name “opens door” for the company‚ saying her name can be “both positive and negative”.
Pokane‚ who had declined to confirm the figure to the Sunday Times‚ also said on Monday that the R167-million price tag was incorrect‚ and said it was R158-million‚ and added that the amount was standard for the show’s format and frequency.
Speaking to Redi Tlhabi on Talk Radio 702‚ Pokane explained that‚ to his knowledge‚ the decision to overturn the review board’s recommendation was made after objections were raised by management in the SABC’s sales division.
“Pressure from the sales division of the SABC came into play and questions were asked: 1. Why was this review panel held in the absence of certain key members of management that should have been on the review panel? 2. How is it that a show that is reviving the fortunes of SABC 1‚ in terms of revenue‚ alongside Generations and Skeem Saam is being cancelled?“
“These are all questions that were apparently asked internally and then the question came up: then what is the motivation for cancelling the show if it ticks all the boxes? And that is where the reversal came into play‚” he explained‚ before suggesting that questions could be asked about whether the boards initial decision may in itself have been politically motivated.
Pokane said a letter notifying Stained Glass Productions of the review boards initial decision was never received by him. He confirmed that the producers met with Motsoeneng but denies that the company- which is also co-owned by president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Gugu Zuma- approached and appealed to Motsoeneng to overturn the decision.
“Absolutely not. We have had lots of meeting with Hlaudi. Hlaudi has an open door policy... he meets with people all the time‚” he said.
The Sunday Times further claimed that Uzalo’s creators had asked for a budget of R167 million‚ an amount that Pokane had earlier disputed‚ insisting that it was actually around R158 million. He hit back at critics of the show’s budget‚ saying that it is in line with industry standards.
“I challenge any producer out there to come and tell me that R14 000 is too much...We are getting R14 000 a minute. That is industry standard‚” he added.
Meanwhile‚ Gugu Zuma has responded to the reports‚ taking to Twitter to reveal a “few” facts. She denied that the show was decommissioned and distanced herself from any reports of her receiving preferential treatment because of her relation to the president.”
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