Senior content producer at YFM Camagwini Mavovana has had her contract terminated over ‘offensive’ comments contriving to link convicted child rapist Nicholas Ninow’s conduct to white people in general.
YFM Managing Director Haseena Cassim said there was ‘no excuse for the statement made by Ms Mavovana and the station unequivocally condemns it’.
Mavovana had posted the following on her personal social media account: ‘Nicholas is representing his race well. Amnesia is something they’re good at, especially when they have to take accountability. Let the dog rot in jail and call it a day.’
The station characterised Mavovana’s post as ‘racially discriminatory commentary’. The post had been brought to YFM’s attention on 16 October.
Cassim said: ‘The offensive comments do not reflect the views and values of YFM. Ms Mavovana was immediately suspended following management being made aware of the post. After careful consideration, Ms Mavovana’s contract with YFM has been terminated.’
Cassim added: ‘YFM stands for a united society and encourages non-racialism, a principle enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. The station is mindful of its role and power in shaping and influencing the mindsets of young people and endeavours to create a platform of open, transparent and inclusive conversation.
‘As the voice of young people, the station is cognisant of its responsibility to ensure a considered balance between various rights afforded to all South Africans and the responsibilities in relation to those rights. In as much as we promote and encourage freedom of expression, we cannot ignore that full enjoyment of a right could infringe on other rights.
‘YFM does not and will not tolerate racism or racist remarks in any form, from anyone.’
Reaction on social media was mixed, with some approving the station’s actions, and others decrying it, saying what Mavovana had said was not racist. One Twitter user said: ‘I honestly don’t see what’s wrong with what she said.’ Another, who described Mavovana’s firing as ‘outrageous’, said: ‘This is what white privilege is!’
Among approving voices was one Twitter user who said: ‘She made it about race when it wasn’t even about that to begin with. Good job YFM!’