27 March 2007
The South African Communist Party regards the latest legal tussles between the SABC and the PSL over the broadcasting rights of the PSL matches to be very unfortunate and uncalled for.
This is a demonstration of how narrow commercial interests can drive an asset of the working class and the poor, like soccer, out of their hands. It is the people of this country, the majority of whom are working class and poor, who have built the PSL through their weekly support for the game they love to be what it is today. Strangely, today the PSL wants to turn against its own supporters for narrow commercial interests. We call on the leadership of the PSL to decisively act on this and safeguard the interest of our people.
We find it very interesting that the PSL can consider moving the broadcasting rights to either e-TV or Supersports, which will disadvantage the rural masses of our people who continue to rely on SABC Radio for coverage of football games. It is further disturbing that this happens against the backdrop of FIFA having expressed confidence in the SABC by awarding them the broadcasting rights of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup.
This tussle is a signal of how much the current accumulation path that is being fostered in all sectors of our society does not put people first. It is the mentality of \'\'dog eat dog\'\' and crass materialism that the majority of our people must consistently fight against.
We call on the leadership of the SABC to negotiate with the PSL in a fair manner and to actively put the interest of the role players first, both club owners and the spectators.
PSL games must simply remain with the public broadcaster and we refuse this commercialisation of the people\'\'s sports.
Issued by the SACP
For information Contact
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson
Tel: + 27 11 339 3621
Fax: + 27 11 339 4244
Cell: + 27 82 226 1802
e-mail: malesela@sacp.org.za