11 August 2020

The South African Communist Party (SACP) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the family of veteran radio broadcaster and media personality, Bob Mabena, who passed away on Monday 10 August 2020. Our sincere condolences also go to Mabena’s colleagues at Power FM, other media houses and in the media fraternity as a whole.

Through his work since the 1980s, Bob Mabena inspired especially the youth to believe in themselves. His versatility in the media industry – ranging from radio broadcasting, to television presenting and to the production of music as well as entertainment generally – earned him respect across all sections of our society.

In his memory, the SACP calls for the transformation of the media to serve the people selflessly. Media transformation must include the diversification of content and perspective. Progressive, revolutionary, non-racial and non-sexist content must thoroughly be advanced. Media transformation must include transformation in ownership to de-monopolise the media and communications sectors and promote working-class and other collective forms of ownership, such as co-operatives. The transformation of the media must also include the strengthening of the SABC, the public broadcaster, to serve the democratic interests of the people wholeheartedly.

The SACP is deeply concerned about retrenchments in the media industry, including at the SABC. Unorganised workers in the media and communications sectors need to unionise and join forces with organised workers, in memory of Bob Mabena. The SACP supports the struggles waged by the Communications Workers Union in defence of workers’ rights and work security, and calls on the labour movement to unite and rally behind the common interests of workers.