Six Walter Sisulu University journalism students have taken legal action against controversial boxing promoter Andile Sidinile over a “nightmare” assignment in KwaZulu-Natal.
Sidinile took them to Pietermaritzburg, used them as presenters for his online television show and has yet to pay them the R1,500 he promised.
According to the students, Sidinile and his partners came to the university’s journalism department at East London’s heritage site campus in September, looking for presenters for his online channel, Sijuta Sports Channel.
WSU broadcasting lecturer Quadro Mgogo confirmed that he had introduced Sidinile to the students and that auditions had been held at the campus.
After auditioning, the six were selected and were assigned their first job, a horseracing event in Pietermaritzburg.
The Dispatch has seen an unsigned contract which showed two amounts: a R300 upfront payment and a R1,500 payment, but the contract does not state when the payments would be made.
The students say the upfront payment was made and it was verbally agreed that the R1,500 would be paid in the first week of October. After six weeks of trying to get their money, they approached a lawyer who, sent a letter of demand that gave Sidinile until Friday to cough up.
On a “failure to do so, I hold instructions to institute legal proceedings against yourselves and you will be liable for costs that may be incurred thereof”, writes attorney Limnandi Mtshemla. “We trust that you may not need us to resort to the above.”
Approached for comment, Sidinile said: “I have no comment. They will get their money this week.”
In a letter seen by the Dispatch, Sidinile congratulates the students for being chosen as part of the crew to shoot and broadcast live the Umtelebhelo Heritage Cup on September 29. The letter says Sijuta would pay travel, accommodation and catering costs.
“Congratulations for being part of this historic occasion and I hope this experience will add value to your studies and enhance your interest in the broadcast industry,” he says.
However, the students described the experience as nothing short of a nightmare.
Second-year student Anelisa Mtshizana said there were challenges from the start, when they left six hours later than the agreed time.
“We were suppose to leave East London at 9am but we only left at 4pm. When we arrived at the place where we were booked to stay, there were only four rooms booked. Some of us had to sleep on the floor while others, including Sidinile, slept on the couch,” said Mtshizana.
Third-year student Songeziwe Mapukuta said she felt used and angry. “One of the girls gave up her room for me and she slept on the floor,” said Mapukata.
The students said the wardrobe and makeup were hideous. “We were given clothes that looked like they were picked up in a thrift shop. As a result we had to buy new clothes, and we paid for our own makeup,” they said...