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Johannesburg - An open letter to Unathi Msengana from a Metro FM listener who calls the DJ rude and disrespectful has been causing quite a stir on social media, with the hashtag #Unathigate buzzing on Twitter.
Namhla, who calls herself "an avid First Avenue listener" wrote a scathing letter to TV host, singer and radio DJ Unathi Msengana in which she states how fed up she is with the way Unathi runs the show, cutting off callers and belittling their opinions.
The fan goes on to say that Unathi is "not presenting [former SABC music show] Castle Loud anymore" and the way she handles her listeners is "not pleasant and very unprofessional."
The letter opens as follows...
Dear Unathi
I trust you are well on this chilly Johannesburg morning.
After much hesitation, but with a lot of consideration, I have decided to pen you this open letter. Do not take anything written here as a personal attack on your overall character. I do not know you in a personal capacity; therefore all views expressed here onwards are solely based on you as a Metro FM morning show co-host.
I will first revert to two incidents from last week.
A metro FM listener called on Wednesday morning, to comment about a topic you guys were discussing about twerking. She directed a comment to you about how you should allow young girls to twerk as it was their form of dance equivalent to bumping and grinding back in your days (making reference to R. Kelly’s Bump ‘n Grind). She had obviously not heard your initial statement, where you had said YOU wouldn’t allow YOUR daughter to twerk. And Glen was kind enough to point out this little fact to her, in a polite manner. From what I had heard, she was about to respond and say that she obviously had misheard you [thought you had meant all girls in general]. Now you Mrs Msengana had to take the final jab at this listener and tell her that she needs to learn to listen. Your exact words were "if we are going to respect each other we have to learn to listen… Learn to listen… I said my daughter"… MEOW!! Catty much? I frankly found it so unnecessary (because Glen had already checked her and informed her of her inaccuracy…) and just downright rude. It came across like you were ganging up on her and trying to put her in her place. Exactly which part about her response made you feel disrespected? So she misheard you, big deal. Correct her and keep it moving. There is no need to exasperate the situation and make it out to be something it is not. It just made you look like a mean, old bully.
I have noticed you have a tendency of making listeners look small. In isiZulu we would say "Uyaphoxana". I guess with time you have learned to conceal it so well, that even you miss it.
Read the full letter on Namhla's blog here.
SundayWorld reached out to Unathi for comment. Unathi said she had not read the letter yet, and had requested that Metro FM comment on her behalf.
"I have nothing to say. Don't put words in my mouth. If it's about my show, call Metro FM," she said.
Social media has reacted in full force to Namhla's public appeal to the DJ, many of them commending her for her bold letter agreeing with many of the issues Namhla raised.
But others have chosen to stand by Unathi.
Namhla, who calls herself "an avid First Avenue listener" wrote a scathing letter to TV host, singer and radio DJ Unathi Msengana in which she states how fed up she is with the way Unathi runs the show, cutting off callers and belittling their opinions.
The fan goes on to say that Unathi is "not presenting [former SABC music show] Castle Loud anymore" and the way she handles her listeners is "not pleasant and very unprofessional."
The letter opens as follows...
Dear Unathi
I trust you are well on this chilly Johannesburg morning.
After much hesitation, but with a lot of consideration, I have decided to pen you this open letter. Do not take anything written here as a personal attack on your overall character. I do not know you in a personal capacity; therefore all views expressed here onwards are solely based on you as a Metro FM morning show co-host.
I will first revert to two incidents from last week.
A metro FM listener called on Wednesday morning, to comment about a topic you guys were discussing about twerking. She directed a comment to you about how you should allow young girls to twerk as it was their form of dance equivalent to bumping and grinding back in your days (making reference to R. Kelly’s Bump ‘n Grind). She had obviously not heard your initial statement, where you had said YOU wouldn’t allow YOUR daughter to twerk. And Glen was kind enough to point out this little fact to her, in a polite manner. From what I had heard, she was about to respond and say that she obviously had misheard you [thought you had meant all girls in general]. Now you Mrs Msengana had to take the final jab at this listener and tell her that she needs to learn to listen. Your exact words were "if we are going to respect each other we have to learn to listen… Learn to listen… I said my daughter"… MEOW!! Catty much? I frankly found it so unnecessary (because Glen had already checked her and informed her of her inaccuracy…) and just downright rude. It came across like you were ganging up on her and trying to put her in her place. Exactly which part about her response made you feel disrespected? So she misheard you, big deal. Correct her and keep it moving. There is no need to exasperate the situation and make it out to be something it is not. It just made you look like a mean, old bully.
I have noticed you have a tendency of making listeners look small. In isiZulu we would say "Uyaphoxana". I guess with time you have learned to conceal it so well, that even you miss it.
Read the full letter on Namhla's blog here.
SundayWorld reached out to Unathi for comment. Unathi said she had not read the letter yet, and had requested that Metro FM comment on her behalf.
"I have nothing to say. Don't put words in my mouth. If it's about my show, call Metro FM," she said.
Social media has reacted in full force to Namhla's public appeal to the DJ, many of them commending her for her bold letter agreeing with many of the issues Namhla raised.
Hayi Unathi must check herself shem yhu #Unathigate
— Mamncane (@ayanda_mandlazi) May 22, 2013
Yes its funny hence we laughing but... So many people cant complain about the same thing & her just ignore 'listeners' like this #UnathiGate
— #FriendsOfNamhla (@SBOSHMBUNJANA_) May 22, 2013
This #UnathiGate thing is serious neh? People are hurt.
— Lihle Ngcobozi(@Lee_Ngcobz) May 22, 2013
I think Namhla was on the money with most of her points, though I have listed to the show all of 3 times! #UnathiGate Cc @sliqchiq
— Sifiso Mbhele (@SifisoMbhele) May 22, 2013
The first avenue is avoiding he elephant in the room #UnathiGate
— Terrence Nyambi (@oznes) May 23, 2013
So now we have a new gate in SA #UnathiGate. Big up to Namhla's open letter ?
— Anele Mfazwe (@mfazwe) May 23, 2013
But others have chosen to stand by Unathi.
Why people are always against Unathi Msengana? I don't get it, is it jealousness or stupidity
— The Naked Chef (@mbullorfc) May 22, 2013
How I love my Black sister keep on keeping on uNathiYoure the best #Unathi
— SpozozoNonjobe (@reephock) May 22, 2013
She has valid points, but she's rude, not a way to correct someone "@mzansi411: Open letter to Unathi Msengana namsunrestricted.wordpress.com"
— Lucky Kunt'Wayne (@LuckyKuntwane) May 22, 2013
