What Hlaudi said: Our top 10 #Hlaudi-isms
Following Tuesday's meeting by parliament's ad-hoc committee on the SABC Board, 30 witnesses have today been served with formal notices to give evidence at the upcoming hearings. Amongst them, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, and former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela. But it's former SABC COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, whose testimony will no doubt prove the most intriguing.
During his tenure at the SABC, Motsoeneng has made his fair share of public comments - some serious, some sensational, and some downright scandalous. There's no denying that Hlaudi has a way with words - however controversial they may be. And come the start of the November 29 hearings, there's no telling just what the loose-lipped Motsoeneng will say.
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We've compiled our own list of some of his most famous (and entertaining) quotes - or as we like to call them, "Hlaudi-isms":
Hlaudi on Hlaudi:
"Hlaudi Motsoeneng is Hlaudi Motsoeneng and there is only one Hlaudi in South Africa, no one else. When you have this hullabaloo all over you, I was not produced by anyone else. I was not produced by any individual. I was not produced by anyone else."
On his achievements:
"I want to applaud people who recognise this wonderful person called Hlaudi. Because when I came here there was no SABC. People will tell you there was no SABC. When I came here, there was just a disaster."
On brand Hlaudi:
"I am also aware that I am selling newspapers. You run with Hlaudi, your newspapers, before 10:00 they are gone because Hlaudi is a brand. You go to social media, Hlaudi is trending, number 1, number 2, number 3. I am making money for you."
On his rules:
“I am Hlaudi Motsoeneng, baby! I am in charge. I will make sure that it happens. Nobody will go against what I have put in place – this policy and those responsible for implementing directly report to me."
On news coverage:
“The media normally focus on the negative publicity. I believe, from the SABC’s side, 70% should be positive [news] stories and then you can have 30% negative stories. The reason I am championing this is because if you only talk about the negative, people can’t even try to think on their feet. Because what occupies their mind is all this negative stuff.”
On the SABC's blackout on violent protest coverage:
“I don’t believe in scientific research. I believe in practicality.”
On allegations of a revolt within the SABC:
"When one or two person cough, it doesn’t mean that all of us we have got flu. So we don’t, there is no flu here at the SABC."
On his popularity:
“I want to applaud the people who recognise this wonderful person called Hlaudi. Everywhere I go everyone supports Hlaudi, it’s worse in the rural areas. I’m here in Gauteng to change the mindset people who believe if you come from rural areas you can’t achieve.”
Hlaudi the miracle maker:
“I believe in myself. I believe everywhere that I am I do miracles. And I am going to do those miracles in the position that I am going to occupy.”
On being his unique self:
"There is only one Hlaudi in South Africa and my future is in my hands.”