The SABC has come under fire for the cancellation of Face The Nation
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The cancellation of Face The Nation, hosted by veteran broadcaster Clement Manyathela, has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties and civil society groups accusing the South African Broadcasting Corporation of bowing to political pressure. The Presidency has strongly denied the claims.
The controversy follows reports that the show was taken off air after complaints from the ANC and officials in the Presidency, intensifying scrutiny over editorial independence at the public broadcaster.
The Umkhonto Wesizwe Party has been among the most outspoken critics, framing the decision as part of a broader trend of silencing critical journalism.
In a strongly worded statement, the party said the move “cannot be viewed in isolation” from what it described as growing hostility toward journalists who challenge those in power.
“What is unfolding bears all the hallmarks of victimisation, intimidation, and the systematic erosion of journalistic independence within a public broadcaster that belongs to the people of South Africa,” the party said.
It argued that Manyathela’s “fearless and uncompromising commitment to holding those in power accountable” may have put him at odds with political leaders, particularly over his questioning of Cyril Ramaphosa on the Phala Phala scandal.
The party further claimed that such “persistent and legitimate questioning” had drawn the ire of the Presidency, raising concerns about possible political interference in editorial decisions.
The backlash has extended beyond party politics. The Activists and Citizens Forum warned that the SABC risks losing public trust if it is seen to be acting in the interests of government.
“The SABC belongs to the people of South Africa, not to any political party or government,” said spokesperson Dennis Bloem.
“We will never allow the SABC to be used as a propaganda machine for any political party or government,” he added.
The group has called on Parliament’s communications committee and Communications Minister Solly Malatsi to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cancellation, warning that failure to act could trigger mass action.
The SABC, however, has rejected claims of political interference, insisting the decision was based on commercial and strategic considerations.
According to the broadcaster, Face The Nation was always scheduled to end on 31 March 2026 as part of a broader programming review.
“Editorial and programming decisions are informed by comprehensive audience and performance data,” the SABC said.
It added that the programme had a “high cost structure”, including a premium presenter fee and additional production costs, but “has not delivered a return on investment commensurate with these costs.”
The broadcaster also said the show consistently underperformed in its time slot and did not rank among its top current affairs programmes.
“The decision not to renew Face The Nation forms part of a broader realignment,” said spokesperson Mmoni Ngubane, noting that other programmes have also been affected.
“It is inconsistent to suggest that the SABC should not exercise the same editorial discretion that all media houses routinely apply.”
The ANC, in a statement, said the SABC should be transparent about its decisions.
"The ANC will continue to engage openly with the public and the media, guided by the principles of accountability, transparency, and democratic integrity. The movement will not allow misleading narratives to go unchallenged or to undermine its role in advancing a democratic and informed society."
The Presidency has also moved to shut down claims of interference. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya dismissed the allegations outright.
“This is a complete lie. There was no political pressure on the SABC to cancel the show,” he said, adding that both Manyathela and the broadcaster should clarify the “real reason” behind the decision.
Manyathela responded publicly, pushing back on the suggestion that he should explain the decision.
“You are saying I must communicate the real reason as if I am the one who took the decision,” he said. “The reason we were given by management is that, despite the show being one of their prominent shows, they can’t afford it anymore.”
He also defended the programme’s track record.
“I remain proud of the work we did on Face The Nation. We brought in strong viewership in that time slot and held power to account, asking tough questions even when it was uncomfortable. That work continues,” he said.
The latest controversy is not the first time the SABC has faced allegations of political interference.
In 2019, the ANC was accused of attempting to influence editorial coverage in the lead-up to the elections. Reports at the time stated that senior party figures, including Fikile Mbalula, met with SABC editors over concerns about the limited coverage of party events. While both the SABC and Mbalula confirmed the meeting, he denied any intimidation.
Similar concerns resurfaced in 2022, when then editor-in-chief, Phathiswa Magopeni, accused senior SABC leadership of political interference. In a formal complaint, she alleged that executives sided with the ANC in editorial disputes and that party officials, including the late Jessie Duarte, had confronted and intimidated journalists over coverage.