News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson has been called out for making “racist” and “sexist” comments directed at former UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng.
Phakeng vacated her post on March 3 after a settlement between her and the university’s council. The parties reached an agreement to avoid more acrimony and wrangling, and a possible suspension.
On Tuesday, Basson took to Twitter to criticise Phakeng’s fashion and dancing videos that the former vice-chancellor previously shared on social media.
Basson accused Phakeng of posting about fashion, dancing, and boxing gloves while the university was shutting down due to ongoing protests.
No fashion or dancing videos while Rome is burning. Refreshing change at @UCT_news. https://t.co/ZY2xBbBojh
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) March 14, 2023
His remarks attracted the attention of many people including journalist Aldrin Sampear, who wrote that Basson is an example of how newsroom managers further diminish the confidence the news audience has in the media.
No man Adriaan. This is yet another example of how the conduct of newsroom managers further diminishes the confidence news audience have in the media. It also detrimental to the relationship between your foot soldiers and newsmakers.
— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) March 14, 2023
Wow
— Clement Manyathela (@TheRealClementM) March 14, 2023
I always encourage journalist-friends who edit newspapers to keep their opinions to themselves, because whatever they say can’t be separated with agenda driven journalism.
Consumers of news will not trust news outlets when they report on people who are dissed by their editors!
— Hopewell Chin’ono (@daddyhope) March 14, 2023
You are a newsroom manager for Godsake. Did you not think about your colleagues who actually have to cover this ongoing story before you tweeted such!
What a disappointment!
Actually this is insulting ! https://t.co/jKKVNW8y2c— Chriselda Zozi Lewis (Babes Wendaba) (@Chriseldalewis) March 14, 2023
Following criticism from a growing number of people, Basson changed his tune.
"I apologise if my tweet caused hurt or created the wrong impression that a VC [vice-chancellor] can’t lead and have fun at once. That was not the point I was trying to make," he wrote.
I apologise if my tweet caused hurt or created the wrong impression that a VC can’t lead & have fun at once. That was not the point I was trying to make. If you read Prof Reddy’s statement and followed the tumultuous exit of Prof Phakeng you would have understood the context. 1/3 https://t.co/cvIVrx0gGs
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) March 15, 2023
However, he justified his first tweet, stating that student protests erupted at UCT on February 24. At the time, Phakeng was still in charge of the institution.
"I have learnt [that] this platform doesn’t tolerate any criticism of Prof Phakeng, and I will stay in my lane and await the finalisation of the Mpati Commission’s report," he wrote.
Phakeng clapped back at Basson and said on February 22 he had announced her retirement from the university.
She further stated that on 24, 25, and 26 February she peacefully dined with students at their residences because there was no chaos.
"If anything had burnt, you would have been the first to report that, but you didn’t, because you knew I was the last person to blame," wrote Phakeng.
Prof Reddy’s statement speaks for itself. UCT’s comms about protests have been terrible. But I have learnt this platform doesn’t tolerate any criticism of Prof Phakeng, and I will stay in my lane and await the finalisation of the Mpati Commission’s report. 3/3
— Adriaan Basson (@AdriaanBasson) March 15, 2023
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