The South African Film and Television Awards (2021 SAFTAs) took a late decision on the inclusion of Katlego Maboe on its nominations list and, boy, did that not go down well.
SAFTAs drop Katlego Maboe from TV Presenter category
In a statement released on Friday evening, the National Film and Video Foundation indicated that, after much consideration, it would be in the best interest of the public to distance itself from Maboe, who is currently in court for domestic abuse charges.
“After careful deliberation of concerns raised regarding the nomination of Mr.Katlego Maboe in the Best TV Presenter Public Vote Category, announced on Thursday, 29 April 2021, the SAFTA’s jury has decided to rescind his nomination,” the statement read.
With immediate effect, every vote that went towards Maboe who was favourite to bag the Best TV Presenter category would be null and void.
Of course, this didn’t go down too well when the announcement surfaced on social media. Part of the public’s frustration was the NFVF’s failure to address the chief reason behind this decision.
After all, the SAFTAs authority would have been aware of the ongoing troubles Maboe faces when the judging panel was selecting its nominees.
Could it be that Maboe was leading with the most votes in the category and that the move to pull him out of contestation was an attempt to save the brand from turmoil during his acceptance speech?
This pertinent question and many others were not addressed in the NFVF’s statement.
Social media reacts to Maboe’s black-ball
Maboe has, in the midst of all the turmoil that came from the cheating scandal, kept a low profile. His cult fanbase, however, is not mute about the apparent ‘injustices’ he’s faced.
Here are some of the reactions we picked out:
Let’s just cancel this SAFTAS ish# once #katlegomaboe pic.twitter.com/5GPqod7SjN
— M a t i m u (@chochelamandlen) May 14, 2021
The SAFTAs will watch themselves. Sies. Ba dipelo mpe.#katlegomaboe
— Mary Mamabolo. (@Mary_Mamabolo) May 14, 2021
We forgave Jub Jub, we forgave Verwoed (sp) and company, Forgive Katlego Maboe #katlegomaboe. We human after all. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone #bishopmakamu
— Khaya_Koalepe (@khaya_ndlovu) May 14, 2021
I just hate the way the industry is treating Katlego Maboe..
— MTZwane_ (@MTZwane_) May 14, 2021
They can do them all but they will never take his God's given gift from him..
Shine and fly Kat you are the best an we love you #SAFTAs #katlegomaboe
Our media destroying black talent!
— Bongane Brilliant (@kgwari) May 14, 2021
Yini kanti isono salomfana
I pray one media house overturns this adversity and cut him some slack. We behind you black child
Katlego Maboe#katlegomaboe pic.twitter.com/PBs7J0noEK
