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| AGED: Father of the nation waves goodbye |
Former South African leader Nelson Mandela (93) was admitted to hospital on 25th February 2012 after doctors advised specialist medical attention for a long-standing abdominal complaint.
Whenever this happens, I'm reminded of the 'M-project', an alleged project of the SABC to cover the funeral of Nelson Mandela.
On 31 May 2009, Sunday World published an article titled 'Mandla Sells Mandela'.
In that article, it was reported that Madiba's grandson, Mandla Mandela had received more than R3 million for the exclusive rights to the old man's funeral - when he dies - to the SABC.
Chief Mandela and The SABC's PR spin doctor, Kaizer Kganyago denied these claims and Kganyago said: ''I'm not aware of any exclusive rights...''
On the other hand, the former president's ex wife, Winnie Madikizela Mandela was also quoted by Saturday Star as having said:
"We know that the SABC has not only drawn the funeral coverage plan, the M-project, we also know that the staff of the SABC involved in the M-project conduct regular rehearsals of the funeral coverage.During recent such rehearsals, one of the employees broke down and cried. This M-project is causing pain to Tata's children, the family deserves respect."
It's important to notice how Madikeza Mandela allegedly kept saying ''we know'', one can ask why she would repeatedly say that if this was all a lie.
The truth is that where there's smoke, there's fire. This naked issue must have started somewhere, I guess the question is where and how? Nevertheless if this is true, then the morality of the SABC must be seriously questioned.
This is not different from saying we're preparing ourselves for Mandela's death, it can't be morally correct to make arrangements and preparations for his death while he's still alive and kicking - eating pap and steak for that matter!
Yes, the poor old man has aged but we shouldn't start predicting when he might take his last breath! leave that to God - He can handle such things much better!
In my opinion, I think that the SABC is so unethical and they are disrespecting the poor MAndela family, I mean how could they do something like this to a living being...
ReplyDeleteRight Loy, money seems to be everything that matters to people! One can imagine what the thoughts are whenever the old man goes to hospital - everyone wants to be the first to report about his death!
DeleteBut surely this is not a new - it is a standard practice around the world to have a 'crisis communication plan' in place if a high profile public figure should pass away. I think the question we are asking here is, should the State Broadcaster be paying royalties for Madiba's funeral? Surely, it is also custom to give an ex-president of SA a State Funeral. If you cast your mind back, the then Pres Mbeki offered a State Funeral to PW Botha, but his family refused it.
ReplyDeleteUndisputably, Nelson Mandela deserves to be given a State Funeral when he eventually dies - we owe him that much as a country and I concede that a 'crisis communication plan' is necessary. My concern is that there seem to be people who are preparing themselves for his death as if he'll die any minute from now "one of the employees broke down and cried"
Delete- that's not acceptable!
i think beside money, the public also need to know or has a right to know whats is hapening about Dr N Mandela.If the media is not getting information, about Dr N Mandela, the public also complains and ask why is Madiba not on Tv or press these days?
ReplyDeleteI agree, Madiba is a public figure; we all deserve to know the truth about him. The SABC is the national broadcaster; it doesn’t have to buy exclusive rights to the old man's funeral.
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ReplyDeleteWell what i know is that SABC is doing a documentary on the life of Mandela and it will be released as soon as he dies like the MJ movie. However, I don't think it's unethical thus Mandela is a person of high importance
ReplyDeleteThat part I understand and accept, but for people to rehearse how they'll act when Mandela finally dies, that's not ethical!
DeleteI think everyone needs to remain objective. when a high profile person wether Mandela, Micheal Jackson or eminem do something its worth public intrest we cant be giving mandela preferencial treatment because we are emotionally involved and owe him and many others who suffered in the struggle. For Michael Jacksons memorial tickets where sold to fans, eminem has had hoaxes played on him with people reporting his death, thats just the way it is, if Mandela is going to be a public figure through the good times he will be a public figure during the bad times too we cant pick and choose when we want to be celebrities.
ReplyDeleteThis is a well thought comment Dibodu, In my opinion, as South Africans in particular we've become so emotionally attached to Madiba. Some times we even dicide on what would suit him - it's a pity that the old man can't tell the world what he prefers at this point in time. If he could, I'm sure he would he'd rebuke a lot of us for using his name for our personal benefits.
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