CREATIVE Gerald Mabasa has accused SABC’s commissioning manager, Blessed Katiyo, of sabotaging him. According to the executive producer of Umzila: The Route, he pitched the drama series to Blessed. As a result, he sends a letter of demands to the SABC demanding answers on August 28.
The letter which reads in part: “We represent Mr Gerald Mabasa and Unity Media House (Pty) Ltd in the above matter (“Our Clients”). We are instructed as follows: On February 2019, Mr Blessed Katiyo (“Mr Katiyo”) addressed an email to our client scheduling a pitch of Umzila: The Route to a panel of SABC Television Content Division for 22 February.
On 22 February, our client presented to a panel of SABC panel of SABC Television Content Division the AFP concept for Umzila. At the end of the pitch, the panel indicated the outcome of the pitch would be communicated to our client within three weeks.”
It further reads: “In the circumstances, we’ve been instructed to request the SABC to provide our clients through our office with reasons in writing why our client’s pitch was not successful, by close of business on Friday, 13 September.
Gerald claimed the commissioning manager verbally promised to air the series on SABC. He told the SunTeam Umzila: The Route was pitched as an advertiser-funded proposal. SABC responded to the letter of demand on 13 September.
It argued Gerald’s concept was weak, stating: “Editorially, your concept was weak and needed a lot of development to bring it to an acceptable standard for broadcasting in the event your client’s proposal in this regards was ever considered.” He claimed Blessed went behind his back to meet with his funders to convince them to instead fund other projects within the SABC.Gerald claimed when he confronted Blessed about the meeting with the funders, the commission manager sent him a letter rejecting his proposal. Explained Gerald: “We were called to pitch for a show between October last year and May this year, and I had funders who were willing to pay for everything.
“The communication was all good until Blessed went and met with my funders behind my back. He told the funders to invest in something else because my project didn’t make sense and wouldn’t be profitable. Gerald told the People’s Paper his encounter with Blessed had resulted in his project being rejected by other broadcasting house. Said Gerald: “I took it to Moja Love, and it was rejected, thanks to Blessed.
Asked for comment, Blessed referred inquiries to SABC acting spokesperson, Mmoni Seapolelo. The SABC is aware of the project and has addressed the reasons for the rejection with the complainant,” said Mmoni. SABC’s commissioning process includes approvals from different people and the final decision to accept or decline a project doesn’t reside with one individual.
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Source: Dailysun
