“MacG Allowed This Content”: SA Opinion Split As Radio Host Criticises ‘Open Chats Podcast’

• A 5FM radio host, Thabo Baloyi, shared his thoughts about the derogatory remarks made on Open Chats Podcast
• The podcast's hosts and guests alleged that Coloured people were crazy and participated in incestuous activities
• While some people sided with Thabo, agreeing that the remarks were racist, others failed to see the connection
• A master's graduate, who specialised in race and social media, told Briefly News why she believes more media professionals should enter the podcasting world

As political parties condemn the racist statements Open Chats Podcast hosts and guests made in a now-deleted episode of the show, a radio host entered the conversation to do the same. However, some South Africans are struggling to see how the comments were racist.

5FM's Thabo Baloyi hopped onto his TikTok account and wondered how nobody thought it was best not to air the podcasters stating that people in the Coloured community are "crazy" and participate in incestuous activities.

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He then said to internet users:

"Let's be honest, though. If the roles were reversed, we would be up in arms, and we should be now because it's so disgustingly racist. How do you rationalise saying something like that?

"This is why I don't do these podcasts. I watch Judge Judy and the news, and I keep it moving."

What was said on Open Chats Podcast?

After deleting their controversial 128th episode, which aired two weeks ago, Open Chats Podcast released a public apology via their legal representation, Snail Attorneys. The attorneys shared the conversation that took place between Mtho, Lefa, Gontse, and Nashma.

Mtho: "The Coloureds apparently chow each other, chief."

Lefa: "Siblings?"

Gontse: "No, but I'd believe that because Coloureds are crazy."

Lefa: "Crazy in what way?"

Mtho: They chow each other, those ones."

Gontse: "I've dated a Coloured, so I can say that."

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Nashma: "I've dated a Coloured. They are crazy mentally, not to that point."

Gontse: "If you're mentally crazy, of course you'd sleep with your cousin."

The attorneys shared in their statement:

"We, as a firm, wish to make it clear that we do not support any forms of racism, discrimination, or segregation, but have been instructed to assist with this unfortunate and delicate matter as best as we can.

"The statements have caused much outrage and offence not only in the Coloured community of South Africa but to all South Africans irrespective of race, colour, or creed."

See one of the four pages of the letter from the attorneys in the Facebook post below:

Coloured woman's take on the remarks

Having specialised in race and social media, master's graduate Casey Ludick told Briefly News that the podcasters' comments were "a new wave of old news."

The Coloured woman added:

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"This is just the most recent example of racism, prejudice, and stereotyping against Coloured people."

She further shared that the media personalities had no foundation or proof to make such remarks, noting:

"It's why we need more media professionals making podcasts, because this is the kind of thing that happens when someone with a media platform hasn't understood media ethics."

The young woman concluded:

"It's also why we need to start worrying about why so many people want to start podcasts. A lot of these podcasts are just long-form rage-bait."

Mzansi split over 'racist' remarks

Thousands of local social media users entered the comment section, questioning whether the comments made on the podcast were racist. Other online users sided with Thabo and pointed out the racism.

@the_uppity_african told the online community:

"As a Coloured person, I don’t think we need to bring up the hypothetical of 'if the roles were reversed.' Also, the people in the comment section saying, 'Let them fight their own battles,' nobody asked you to address it. We can address this on our own."

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@madeby.sips shared under the post:

"The fact that people are agreeing with them is so sad. This goes to show that we're moving backwards as a human race."

@ndodenkulu96 added in the comment section:

"We should never condone hate and discriminatory nonsense as South Africans. We must never ever. Well, this talk is only for real and patriotic South Africans."

@dubeamxihl9 noted their take, writing:

"It’s not racist, maybe offensive, but not racist. Secondly, Trevor Noah has made so many offensive Black jokes, and we said nothing. Instead, we laughed about it."

@journeyofagoodlife asked the public:

"What’s the difference between racism and stereotyping?"

Referring to another controversial podcaster, @elleseyisi wrote their opinion in the comments:

"MacG allowed this type of content. All these new podcasts are extremely disrespectful."

Take a look at the TikTok video below:

3 Other stories about Open Chats Podcast

• In another article, Briefly News revealed that a woman shared information on how to formally report the podcasters to the South African Human Rights Commission.
• South African DJs Major League condemned the offensive remarks about the Coloured community and noticed a growing trend of sensationalism and rage-baiting.
• An American woman expressed her support for the Coloured community following the racist statements the podcasters made.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News