CASE NUMBER: 33/2006 DATE OF HEARING: 27 JULY 2006 A ENGELBRECHT, NED. GEREF. GEMEENTE – BRAKPAN WEST BOTHA, DE VILLIERS, KOTZEE JANSE VAN VUUREN 1st COMPLAINANTS vs RSG 1st RESPONDENT L NGCOBO 2nd COMPLAINANT vs UKHOZI FM 2nd RESPONDENT TRIBUNAL: Prof Kobus van Rooyen SC (Chairperson) Dr Linda Venter Ms Refiloe Mokoena –Msiza Complainant: The Complainants did not attend. Respondent: Mr Fakir Hassen, Manager: Broadcast and Compliance, Policy and Regulatory Affairs of the SABC accompanied Ms Veronica Barnard, Foeta Krige – Executive Producer Current Affairs and Hendrik Martin – Editor Current Affairs of RSG. Crude language – use of word “fokol” accommodated by freedom of expression – no contravention of Broadcasting Code. Engelbrecht Ned. Geref. Gemeente – Brakpan West & 4 Others vs RSG and L Ngcobo vs Ukhozi FM , Case No: 33 /2006. ________________________________________________________________________ 2 SUMMARY The two sets of complaints deal with the same subject: the use of the word “fokol” which is derived from “fuck”, with its counterpart “fok” in Afrikaans, in two songs broadcast by the SABC on two of its radio stations. When judging the word “fokol” within the context of the Koos Kombuis song, it strikes one that the word is not used to invade dignity or to be derogatory of someone, but is primarily meant to illustrate despondency with what he regards as poor services. To attain the necessary atmosphere he uses a word that strikes the reasonable listener as both shocking and humorous. There is, of course, also a political slant to the song and this justifies more freedom than he would otherwise have had. The Tribunal does not believe that the song would be harmful to children. Younger children are not likely to have been in the audience and most older children would have heard the word elsewhere, whether it be at the cinema, the playgrounds of a school or next to a sport field. The song does not promote this kind of language. _______________________________________________________________________ JUDGMENT Prof Kobus van Rooyen (Chairperson) [1] The two sets of complaints deal with the same subject: the use of the word “fokol” which is derived from “fuck”, with its counterpart “fok” in Afrikaans, in two songs. So as to illustrate the vehemence of the complaints, I will quote all the complaints and then also the answer of the SABC. [2] The first complaints read as follows: Engelbrecht: “Naweek Aktueel, Presenter Anita Visser – Hendrik Maartin’s recorded interview with Koos Kombuis and the subsequent song of Koos Kombuis. The f-word was repeated as if it were going out of Fashion. Then Sh*t was used in the subsequent interview. To broadcast a recorded interview with such content is unacceptable. Please note that Koos Kombuis is not the issue (it could have been anyone) – it is all about RSG’s judgment to Broadcast recorded crude language (versus live interviews over which there is no control).” Ned.Geref. Gemeente Brakpan-Wes: “KLAGTE: UITSENDING RSG OP SATERDAG, 27 MEI OM 12:40 – Dit is met uiterste teleurstelling en verontwaardiging dat ons, names die kerkraad- en lidmate van die N.G. Gemeente, Brakpan-Wes, ‘n klagte 3 by u aanhangig moet maak vir ondersoek en gepaste optrede teenoor die program- opsteller, aanbieder en wie anders ook betrokke mag wees. Op Saterdag, 27 Mei 2006 om 12:40 is ‘n liedjie (in Afrikaans) op RSG uitgesaai wat in wese banaal van aard, ‘n belediging vir die Afrikaanse taal en gestroop van alle beskaafde en Christelike norme was, is en sal bly. Die vulgêre, platvloerse en skaamtelose beryming van die liedjie en die gesprek wat daarna gevoer is, is verwerplik van aard en behoort nie tuis in die geselskap van welopgevoede, ordentlike luisteraars nie. Die ergste is dat dit ‘n oop uitsending was wat luisteraars van die jongste tot die oudste in ons land en oor die wêreld heen bereik het. Die uitsending van hierdie liedjies (as dit so genoem kan word) getuig van die verontagsaming van die Christelike standaarde en algemene ordentlike norme van ‘n groot persentasie van RSG luisteraars. Dit verg dringende optrede ten einde die betrokke persone tot verantwoording te roep en om te verseker dat soortgeluke uitsendings nie gedoen word nie. Allermins nie oor RSG nie! Daar word vertrou dat u hierde klagte op ‘n verantwoordelike en besliste wyse sal hanteer en ons op hoogte sal hou in hierdie verband. Benewens die platvloerse word “k*k” is die een woord waarna in die liedjie verwys is en wat by herhaling bebruik is die woord F*kol” BC Botha: “Please allow me to lodge a complaint in respect of two words that were used in a programme broadcast on 2006-05-27, on RSG. “F*kol”: This word is obviously derived from the English “F*ck all”, which indicates “nothing”, and which is still commonly (sic!) used and is therefore clearly etymologically connected. According to my Oxford Dictionary (British Establishment), “the ‘f’ word is till considered to be the most offensive word in the English Language…” “K*k”: This word was used in the same programme, immediately after the CF was broadcast. My dictionary refers to it as “vulgar”. The SABC spokesperson did not comment on this word, despite the fact that it was reported in the Brakpan_Wes complaint. Allow me to me ntion three points: 1. Does prior warning absolve a radio station from all blame in respe4ct of the material that is subsequently broadcast? 2. The SABC spokesperson seems to be dodging the issue (Jakkalsdraaie, the Established Cape Afrikaanse call it), also dragging in political and racist jargon, (Apartheid, Afrikaans establishment).” IFA de Villiers: “Koos Kombuis: RSG 27-05-2006 - I hereby wish to lodge a complaint about the Afrikaans broadcast on FM today Saturday the 27th, between 12:45 and 12:50pm. My complaint concerns the singing attempt of a certain Koos Kombuis with a number referred to as “Tienmaal F*ck all”. The deplorable lyrics of the simple ‘ditty’ consisted mainly of an endless repetition of the offensive “f*ck all”. (This is a striking example of how a contemporary “artist’ runs out of ‘art’ and then resorts to vulgarity!). My main objection, however, is the deplorable decision by RSG to invade out homes with this kind of trash. We and our children are subjected to the objectionable and uncalled for, without warning! Please take the necessary steps against the SABC staff member(s) responsible and issue a warning that would prevent a repetition.” R Kotzee: “Uitsending op Saterdag 27/05/06 om ongeveer 12h45 Sanger KOOS KOMBUIS- Graag wens ek my misnoeë uit te spreek teen die uitsending van ‘n lied / onderhoud met Koos Kombuis. Die taal gebruik was uiters skokkend en ek kan net nie glo dat RSG wel so iets kon uitsaai nie! Ons is gereelde luisteraars van RSG en geniet al julle programme, maar indien dit is wat ons in die toekoms gaan hoor, laat dit ‘n mens wonder of ons dan nie maar moet oorskakel na stasies soos Jakaranda od selfs East Coast Radio nie. Ek hoop van harte dat hierde klagte wel u aandag sal geniet en dat daar ‘n sekere mate van terugvoering hieroor sal plaasvind.” 4 R Janse van Vuuren: “Vuiltaal, – Nog net vanmôre op RSG in Aktueel, en met Anita Visser in beheer, praat ‘n, klink na ‘n jongerige stem van ‘n man van “dis nou sommer puur k*k dat…” Dan ook laat sy toe dat Dozi, en sy noem dit, die liedjie van die “Groot F” dis nou Fokol, Fokol Fokhol met mag en mening sing asof hy ‘n goddelike opdrag nakom. En sy laat dit eenvoudig net deur asof dit haar en dan die SAUK se goedkeuring wegdra. Dit gebeur nou al meer en meer dat mense onder die wanindruk kom dat hul braaf is om oor die eter te vloek. U kan mos maklik, aan die begin van elke inskakel program, die wat inskakel waarsku, dat hul woorde op band vasgelê word, en dat hul telefppn nommers gelees word en hul tot verantwoording gebring gaan word oor enige wangedrag…” nd 2 Complaint reads as follows: L Ngcobo: I don’t understand why Authur's song was banned when there is a song which is very straight forward vulgarous is played on the community radio station during prime. A hit song by Alaska tittled "Fokol" meaning "Fuck All" is played every Saterday night on Ukhozi's Top 20. The chorus goes "Ujaiva engathi menyiwe,'FOKOFO' "Awumenyangwa" meaning "You dance like you are invited, 'FUCK OFF' you are not invited." I bealive that this song should be stopped from being played immediately as it is vulgarous especially to children. We don’t need our children to sing dirty songs .We will appreciate may compliant is attended to. [3] The SABC responded as follows: “We agreed that these two cases would be considered together, as they both are about the use of the word fokol in lyrics. In general, the word fokol has lost its earlier offensive meaning in not just Afrikaans, but even in other indigenous South African languages and is commonly understood colloquially today to mean “nothing”. This does not of course imply that we condone its widespread use on our stations” 1. THE RSG SONG Contrary to Mr Van den Berg's statement, a clear warning of the strong language was in fact given in the introduction preceding the item, which was a current affairs-type piece on the singer Koos Kombuis, who is acknowledged as one of the founders of the alternative movement in Afrikaans music in the eighties. This movement contributed tremendously towards giving Afrikaners and other South Africans, who did not agree with apartheid and the Afrikaner establishment, a voice of dissent.