Latest news with #OpenChatPodcast
eNCA
2 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Controversial podcast hosts to cooperate fully with SAHRC
JOHANNESBURG - There seems to be no end to the backlash that the Open Chat Podcast is facing. This after the hosts described coloured people as incestuous and crazy. READ: Racist Podcast Moment: Does Podcasting Need Special Regulation? The Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has also entered the fray. Human rights lawyer Gushwell Brooks, sat down with eNCA to talk more on this topic as he steers the podcasts hosts to righting their wrongs.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: Gayton McKenzie gives update on Open Chats Podcast as Multichoice confirms its removal
McKenzie said he wants to hold TikTok and YouTube accountable for the Open Chats Podcast Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has followed through on his promise to take legal action against the controversial Open Chats Podcast. After the hosts made derogatory remarks about the coloured community, McKenzie's political party, the Patriotic Alliance, opened a case of crimen injuria. They vowed to push for accountability across all platforms hosting the podcast. Despite the podcast issuing an apology and a follow-up video claiming, 'You guys are too sensitive', the backlash has been swift and widespread. Many took to social media to express outrage. This prompted the Patriotic Alliance (PA), to investigate who broadcasts the podcast. ALSO READ: 'I am appalled by the recent so-called apology issued' – Nonn Botha on Open Chats Podcast Open Chats Podcast: No tolerance for racism Hosts of the Open Chat Podcast. Picture: Supplied In a video shared online, McKenzie revealed that he contacted the SABC. He mistakenly believed the public broadcaster was linked to the podcast. 'I made contact with the SABC CEO and was told they are not associated with the podcast, and they don't work with the podcast,' said McKenzie. 'I then apologised to the SABC for assuming that they were part of it.' He went on to confirm that he also spoke to MultiChoice, which had previously aired previous podcasts. 'This was aired on the 25th of July. MultiChoice is not renewing their association with this podcast, and they are disgusted with what they have seen,' McKenzie stated. McKenzie taking fight to TikTok and YouTube He further declared that the show, now only available on YouTube and TikTok, would not be allowed to continue promoting what he described as 'blatant racism'. 'There is no room for racists, no matter the colour. A racist remains a racist,' he said. 'For too long, there have been people who have been comfortable showing racism toward this community. This is where we draw the line.' McKenzie issued a stern warning: 'They stepped on the wrong toes. If we let them get away with it, they'll think it's okay. Racism is wrong.' The sports, arts and culture minister also made it clear that his fight is not over. 'TikTok, YouTube, you are next,' he said, making his intentions known to hold all digital platforms accountable. He wants to prevent such content from flourishing. MultiChoice responds MultiChoice has since issued a statement clarifying its position. 'MultiChoice is aware of recent comments made on the Open Chats Podcast. Open Chats' contract with DStv ended on 25 July 2025, as the show was removed to make way for our August content slate,' a MultiChoice spokesperson told The Citizen. 'The episode in question was not aired on our platform. MultiChoice adheres to stringent quality control processes and does not promote any discriminatory content.' Public outcry grows The fallout has continued online, with TikTok and other platforms flooded with reaction videos from users of all backgrounds. Many have condemned the podcast's hosts and called for the show to be cancelled. Some users argued that racism should never be disguised as 'humour' or 'banter'. As the conversation around race, media responsibility, and representation continues, one thing is clear. McKenzie has no plans of backing down.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Patriotic Alliance files charges against Open Chat Podcast for racist remarks
The PA's Liam Jacobs has confirmed that charges have been filed against the hosts of Open Chat Podcast Image: Supplied The Patriotic Alliance has filed criminal charges against Open Chat Podcast hosts Mthokozisi Methula and Sinothando Kama following their racist remarks aimed at the Coloured community. The PA's Liam Jacobs, shared a video in which he can be seen walking into and opening a case at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria on Wednesday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The podcast hosts and production team have come under fire after a clip from the original recording went viral. In the clip, which, according to the podcast team, has since been deleted from the recording, the hosts make several racist comments, claiming that not only do Coloured families have sexual relationships with each other (incest), but they also suffer mental issues. "Coloureds apparently chow (have sex with) each other," one of the hosts says. In response, a co-host says, "I do believe that because Coloureds are crazy. The letter sent from the PA's legal team to the podcast hosts Image: Facebook/Patriotic Alliance Meanwhile, the PA's legal team has sent a letter addressed to the hosts. According to the letter, the podcast's team's "brief apology and removal of the offending clip are legally and morally insufficient." The PA also plans to lodge a formal complaint with the SABC, requesting a review of its broadcast contract. The party further states that it will institute proceedings in the Equality Court for unlawful discrimination. "[We will] submit a complaint to YouTube demanding the immediate removal of your podcast episode from the platform," the letter stated. PA leader, Gayton McKenzie took to social media where he condemned the hosts' comments. He said the plan is not to "destroy" the hosts but if nothing is done, the perceptions and narrative created by the podcast will destroy other people's mentality of Coloured people. "It has become too easy to insult Coloured people in this country. It has become too easy to have something to say about Coloured people. People will say things about Coloured people and it's pure racism," McKenzie said. He said racism towards any race group in South Africa is wrong. "Enough is enough," McKenzie said adding that the PA will march - in their thousands - to the various offices where the podcast is recorded as well as those broadcasters where it is aired. He said the party will also take the matter up with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
