After being off the air for nearly three weeks, Phat Joe made a return to the airwaves on Monday morning, to the excitement of enthusiasts who celebrated as Christmas had come early.
The SABC showed to reporters earlier this month that the Radio 2000 breakfast host was “unscheduled until further realize” in the wake of backlash over his comments in regards to the LGBTIQ+ neighborhood.
The superstar had weighed in on a debate around comments made through Zodwa Wabantu claiming that gay people have been too dramatic and “omit that they don’t have vaginas”. Sharing this idea, Joe allegedly requested why gay men would no longer accept how onerous it was “for most of the people to just accept their lifestyle”.
His feedback drew backlash from the LGBTIQ+ neighborhood, who welcomed the SABC’s determination. Others shared their sadness at the move. In reaction to a complaint lodged with the BCCSA, the SABC said that in spite of Joe apologising to a listener and sharing his own stories, they felt the matter could have been dealt with better and took action towards Joe.
Besides pulling him off-air, the broadcaster said it had held workshops with all its skill and production teams to “retrain them at the BCCSA Code, the Broadcast Act, and SABC editorial insurance policies to ensure that there is no recurrence”. Joe offered an apology on-air throughout his display on Monday and soon changed into a large speaking level on social media as fans weighed in on his go back.
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