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The producer of ‘Our Perfect Wedding’ (OPW), Basetsana Kumalo, has spoken out about the public debate surrounding the show’s decision to broadcast an episode which was slammed for romanticising rape culture.

Kumalo also doubles up as chief executive officer of Connect TV which conceptualised and produced Our Perfect Wedding, a Sunday programme for Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).

The reality show was first broadcast two years ago after M-net commissioned the company to produce local content for its Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu channels.

The show came under fire when it aired an episode in which Fani Mkhwanazi boasted about targeting school girls for sex while he was a taxi driver. Mkwhanazi said he met his bride, 23-year old Bavelile when she was 14 and he 28.

While Mzansi Magic issued an apology and said it would not repeat the offensive episode, Kumalo had kept quiet throughout the uproar, choosing to comment two days later.

The producer posted on her social media accounts and assured viewers that she viewed the episode in a serious light.

“I’m engaging intensively with my team in regards to it,” Kumalo posted on her Facebook page.

Her followers responded saying the show was just reflecting on South Africa’s society.

“I still don’t see why we’re blaming OPW for exposing such. We see this everyday in our society but you don’t see anyone running to the cops! We need to take a chill pill and deal with the real problem not the sauce!” commented Relebohile Makotoane.

Thandi Klaas posted: “OPW only exposed what happens every day in our communities. We see these things happening right in front of our eyes and do nothing to stop or change it, but once they are put in our faces, we start acting as if it’s the first time we hear about them.”

Kumalo is also at the helm of shows like Top Billing and Pasella which appeal to a more affluent audience on the SABC channels.
Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng who registered a complaint with the Broadcasting Commission of SA and penned an open letter denouncing what she termed the promotion and normalisation of rape culture, said she was disappointed that Kumalo could allow such an episode to be aired.

This was someone she looked up to growing up, and saw as the Julia Roberts of South Africa, she said.

Mofokeng said she hoped Kumalo would speak out against the episode. She also wanted the show to do a follow-up episode where it would come out saying it was wrong and educated people on the issue.

This is not the first time Kumalo’s Connect TV has come under fire. The production company’s show, Diski Divas saw three of its cast mates embroiled in a cat fight at Kaya FM studios. Kat Mohoadube and Wendy Parker allegedly assaulted a pregnant Nonhle Ndala while the cameras were filming. Although the altercation was not aired, Kumalo fired Parker and Mohoadube and is said to have axed several staff members for negligence and their involvement in the matter. – TimesLive.