DA wants SABC choir muted
Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Communications, Gavin Davis, has hit out at Communications Minister Faith Muthambi after it was discovered that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) had been spending R3-million a year on its own choir.
Responding to a Parliamentary question submitted by the party, Davis said that the broadcaster should disband the choir with immediate effect as part of a cost-cutting measure after The Sunday Times found that it was facing a total loss of R501-million for the current financial year.
The reply also revealed that the choir had been singing songs of praise, claimed to be spontaneous, to the broadcaster suspended Chief Operations Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng during staff meetings with one verse containing the lyrics “Hlaudi Motsoeneng reya o leboha” (Hlaudi Motsoeneng we thank you)”.
“The fact is that the SABC cannot afford unnecessary extravagances such as its own choir. Surely, it would be cheaper to commission the services of a professional choir if and when the need arises?” Davis said in a statement.
According to The Sowetan, 25 out of choirs reported 40 choristers are freelancers.
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