Zuma worried about sex, swearing and violence on TV

NONI MOKATI

JOHANNESBURG - Disabled local artists expressed their disgust at being ignored and sidelined by government.

Speaking at an imbizo attended by President Jacob Zuma, performing artists, film-makers and a delegation of ministers in Johannesburg yesterday, legendary musician Steve Kekana – who is visually impaired – said that it was high time government paid attention to disabled artists.

“Disabled musicians are subjected to arrogant misbehaviour by the President’s office,” he said.

Kekana told Zuma that he and another blind artist were booked for a special event but were dropped on the last day. Kekana said he phoned Zuma’s office but was given the runaround.

In his address at the event, Zuma slammed local content which misrepresented South African culture. He said while government was working on a local content development strategy which sought to increase content quotas, it was important to prohibit scripts that misrepresented the country and its people.

“Any misrepresentation of our culture for commercial gain is harmful and unacceptable. I need a full day to engage the industry on this matter and my concerns about it,” he said.

He added that government also noted with concern the current content on television and radio as some programmes promoted violence, sex and explicit language.

“We then wonder why society is so violent. If you turn on the TV there is a lot of blood, fighting and killing which society has become exposed to,” he said.

Actress and choreographer Khabonina Qubeka told The Citizen that a lack of original content by South African artists on national television had a negative effect on production companies and their workers.