It has been an incredible 24 hours or so in the media world. One of the best journalists in the country, Samkele Maseko, has revealed he’ll be without a job over Christmas after a spectacular fallout with eNCA’s Kanthan Pillay – it’s understood the executive booted the reporter out of their offices when he handed in his notice of resignation.

Latest on eNCA, Samkele Maseko and Kanthan Pillay:

Maseko has cried foul on the incident, sparking a fierce clash with Pillay. It resulted in the boss deleting his Twitter account, after his ex-employees shared his stinging criticism on Twitter.

“Do you want me to speak about how you threw me out of the eNCA building like a dog who had stolen something? How you came to my desk and said I should pack my shit and follow you to HR? You are heartless and unethical by denying some a chance to serve a notice period. “The disrespect you have for an African black child is appalling, you have no sense of appreciation – none whatsoever. We are not here to play politics and settle political scores with the EFF like you are doing. Busy sensoring political talk and instructing things to be taken off air. Grow up and stop being bitter.” Samkele Maseko

Samkele Maseko receives backing online

The online backlash has been remarkable. Celebrities, politicians and former employees have come to the defence of Maseko, dragging Pillay down in the process. Former public protector Thuli Madonsela and DJ Fresh were among the most high-profile figures who weighed in on the debate:

The future belongs to those with emotional, intellectual and social agility, eNCA. The news on the alleged treatment of Samkele Maseko suggests a lag in these competencies. Take the nation and world into your confidence. Was Samkele treated as callously as he alleges? Thuli Madonsela

His becoming hands on at YFM was the reason I jumped ship, and why it was so easy to leave!!! He is not a nice person at all… #PeopleQuitManagersNotBrands https://t.co/RzH3hHZtaV — DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) December 18, 2019

eNCA storm: Kanthan Pillay’s controversial tweets surface

Pillay had deactivated his Twitter account by the end of Wednesday. However, a few social media users were quick to point out how problematic his tweets have been in the past. As recently as August, he was stirring up trouble using the most inflammatory language possible.

How did eNCA miss these tweets. How did they employ such an openly racist thug. #FireKanthan #samkelomaseko pic.twitter.com/gwlGmiolPn — Goolam (@goolammv) December 18, 2019

Indeed, the man who fired Maseko at eNCA has had a busy year. Not only did he become the station’s head of news in October, but he led a failed bid to win a seat in parliament. His “Capitalist Party of South Africa” project fell flat on its face, but Pillay still found time to upset the electorate: