Robert Marawa gets unlikely friend in Safa after his firing
The football governing body has come out strongly against the SABC saying firing Marawa is detrimental to football development in the country
STORY: Sihle Mkhize
PHOTO: Twitter
Mzansi’s favourite sportscaster, Robert Marawa has received an unlikely backer in Safa after his firing from the SABC.
The country football governing body has lashed out at the SABC for not renewing Marawa’s contract. This comes after the public broadcaster told Marawa that his services would no longer be needed.
He was also told through a text message that he should not worry about coming to do his final show last Friday.
Safa decided to interfere and express their disapproval stating that Marawa’s show regularly attracted wide-range expert views and opinions that evidently contributed to the growth of South African football.
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“Safa wishes to express its disapproval following the termination of Robert Marawa’s contract with the public broadcaster. This will hinder football development and professional profiling of the sport.
Robert Marawa has over the years excelled as a major contributor to the analysis, insight and debate of football on the African continent and global stage.
His shows have regularly attracted wide-range expert views and opinions that evidently contributed to the growth of South African football.
It is unfortunate that as we celebrate the right to freedom of speech and diversity of opinions. The main broadcasters in the country SuperSport and SABC find that such differing and diverse opinions are not to be tolerated on their platforms.
Robert Marawa has a proven track record and has delivered major service to both local, CAF and FIFA platforms.
He has used his extensive influence to enrich football debates in our country and the African continent at large.
South Africa and its broadcast platforms must show greater tolerance to the diversity of opinions.
Safa will approach SABC to discuss this key aspect to the future of football in this country,” read a statement from Safa.
‘Madluphuthu’ as Marawa is widely known, is known for not beating around the bush on alleged racism reports in sport especially in Cricket South Africa (CSA) and South Africa Ruby Union (SARU).
He recently invited various former Proteas players to his Marawa Sport Worldwide show on Metro FM and Radio 2000.
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It’s was devastating and heart breaking to hear black cricketers spilling the beans on alleged racism in the Proteas camp.
Some have assumed that Marawa’s removal was done to block him from airing dirty laundry on the above mentioned organisations. The SABC has moved quickly and replaced Marawa with Andile Ncube and Thomas Mlambo.
Ncube has taken over the 6-7pm slot on Radio 2000 with a new show, ‘Sports Night Live with Andile. Mlambo now hosts ‘The Ultimate Sports Show with Thomas Mlambo’ between 6 and 7pm on Metro FM.