Hlaudi Motsoeneng 'hijacks' Mandoza's funeral to lash out at critics

Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng had tongues wagging after he took to the stage at Mandoza's funeral to push his own agenda, lambasting his critics.

Motsoeneng was given the opportunity to pay tribute to the fallen Kwaito star at a funeral service currently underway at Grace Bible Church in Soweto, however he began speaking as if it was an SABC press conference.

The controversial SABC leader started off by telling mourners about his last visit to Mandoza but then went off on a tangent singing his own praises.

"Who is the problem in South Africa? The problem is black people. If you ask black people, they complain about transformation but they are in charge of transformation. How can you complain about yourselves?" he said.

Motsoeneng is effectively an ordinary SABC employee after the Supreme Court of Appeal earlier this week dismissed his application for leave to appeal a ruling by the Western Cape High Court‚ which set aside his permanent appointment.

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Despite being interrupted by the programme director, Motsoeneng asked for more time as 'this was what 90% local content was about'.

"I introduced 90% after music veterans approached me. By introducing 90 percent, we have insured. We are insuring artists. They will never die poor,” he said.

He went on to say that this is not the first time the SABC has dismissed him and he has "come back stronger."

The Times reported on Thursday that the SABC board is considering asking Communication Minister Faith Muthambi to reappoint Motsoeneng as the acting chief operations officer.  The Broadcasting‚ Electronic‚ Media and Allied Workers Union has vowed to challenge any decision to keep him at the SABC.

Motsoeneng concluded his 'speech' by urging everyone to pay their TV licences.

"Pay your TV licence," he shouted at the top of his voice.