Mzansi reacts to Saftas’ decision to rescind Katlego Maboe’s nomination
The nation has weighed in on the SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas) decision to remove former Expresso Morning Show presenter Katlego Maboe from the nominations list.
In a statement sent to TshisaLIVE, the awards show announced that after consideration, they have decided to retract his nomination from the Best TV presenter category
“After careful deliberation of concerns raised regarding the nomination of Mr Katlego Maboe in the Best TV Presenter Public Vote Category, announced on April 29 2021, the Saftas jury has decided to rescind his nomination.
“The rescission is effective immediately and voting code 5 has been removed from the voting USSD line.”
Katlego was nominated alongside Devi Sankaree Govender, Dineo Ranaka, Palesa Tembe, Katchie Nzama and Waldimar Pelser.
Taking to Twitter, the awards organisers updated their list of nominees in the Best TV Presenter category.
BEST TV PRESENTER CATEGORY UPDATE
— #SAFTAs (@SAFTAS1) May 14, 2021
Vote for your favourite TV Presenter by 19 May and make sure that they walk away with the coveted Golden Golden.
Please note that Code 5 is no longer eligible for votes #SAFTAs pic.twitter.com/6ZAMpazALQ
The removal of Katlego caused a major debate on social media, leading to many of his fans and critics weighing in on the decision.
Although some supported the decision, many of Katlego’s fans were against it and called for a boycott of the ceremony.
Check out some of the reactions online:
Well, Katlego Maboe is still one of the greatest TV Presenters we've ever had. pic.twitter.com/iTmnbQaGoh
— Bruno Sigwela🇿🇦 (@BrunoSigwela) May 14, 2021
It’s everyone ignoring Katlego’s abuse allegations for me because agenda >
— IG: tiise_ (@Tee_McChelsea) May 15, 2021
Lets all boycott SAFTAs #katlegomaboe
— Zola_D (@DumileZola) May 15, 2021
Basically cheating is a big crime in this country. Katlego Maboe was used by SAFTA. End of the story.
— KoalaneMotaung (@KoalaneMotaung) May 14, 2021
SAFTAs jury knew it from the beginning.
Why did they nominate him vele knowing exactly they gonna dumped him later on #SAFTAs
Guys there's ABUSE charges laid on Katlego its not just about him cheating #katlegomaboe
— kgopo (@keycee_kc) May 15, 2021
Katlego Maboe is still The Best TV Presenter.
— Motho wa Modimo (@MModimo) May 15, 2021
Don't discredit him for his good deeds... #katlegomaboe pic.twitter.com/gUy4uSJHEX
#katlegomaboe you the best TV presenter, to hell with SAFTAs pic.twitter.com/SsEHfsatc2
— We Love Black Coffee (@Tabongz_SA) May 15, 2021
There should be a petition to bring Katlego Maboe back to outsurance...Jikizinto wa bora. pic.twitter.com/cuadFd2weh
— chun swae. (@girl_kaybee) May 14, 2021
A video of Katlego’s estranged wife, Monique Muller, confronting him about cheating on her went viral late last year.
In a statement released at the time, Katlego admitted to being unfaithful but denied abuse allegations. Katlego said he and Monique were in the middle of an “unfortunate and painful separation”.
The scandal lead to Katlego being taken off air from Expresso and he was removed from all OUTsurance ads.
The Expresso Morning Show production company Cardova Productions confirmed in a statement on Friday that Katlego would not be on air pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Certain serious allegations have been posted on social media about Mr Katlego Maboe and, last night, a video was leaked showing Mr Maboe seemingly admitting to cheating on his partner,” read part of the statement.
OUTsurance head of client relations Natasha Kawulesar, provided a statement to TshisaLIVE explaining that the insurance company decided to pull Katlego’s adverts to allow his family the “space and time to deal with this matter”.
“He is a professional actor who is paid on a campaign by campaign basis. Katlego has received his full compensation from OUTsurance for all past as well as the current campaign in which he was featured. This includes performance as well as full usage fees for the entire campaign.”