SIPHO Mbatha, who hosts a weekday morning show on Ukhozi FM, has revealed that his contract has not been renewed this year, not that he has asked to leave.
Sgqemeza said this in a statement he issued on Tuesday afternoon, after doing his last program on the radio. He said he was surprised to see in the media that he wanted to change the program he was doing because of his teaching work. But he said the management did not come in to renew his contract.
“I even communicated with senior officials about the way my contract issue was handled. What surprises me is to see in the media that I asked for my departure which is not true. I can only say that my contract was not renewed, something went wrong and there are things that I don’t understand. What led to this decision being taken that I am complaining about, that is why I told the management at the SABC about it. I respect the decision they made but the way it was delivered is what I am not happy with,” said Sipho.
He said he is not willing to reveal what happened as he respects Ukhozi radio as well as the SABC.
“It is a great shame that they have come to this decision, but I will choose to remain silent, that’s why I will not talk about it. So when we talked about work, I was finally given another plan, which my family and I considered, we finally decided to resign. I did not quit because I want to focus on the work of the pastor, this is not true as it appears that I asked to leave to deal with this work. I will always respect the SABC and Khozi, but my problem is with the other officers who are there which did not handle the matter of my departure well,” he explained.
He then thanked everyone who supported him in the broadcasting industry and said, he is still open to take all the opportunities that come his way.
On this radio, Sipho was not the only one left as other colleagues including Zeal Dladla, Ayanda Msweli, Sphongo Dladla, Pastor Lungisani Simelane, King Sfiso also issued statements thanking the listeners of this station for their support.