EDITOR’S NOTE

MANY people have come out protesting against Robert Kelly’s music. Even the troubled SABC suddenly found its voice and issued a statement saying it was considering banning Kelly’s music from all its radio stations, a move that has been applauded by the keyboard warriors of Twitter and Facebook .

Trust me, I understand the outrage that came with the recent release of

Surviving R Kelly, a docu-series that is based on decades-long allegations of sexual abuse against the American star. The series features interviews with several women who Kelly allegedly preyed upon sexually over the past two decades. Their stories are all similar in nature. They were lured into his luxury home, where he allegedly sexually groomed them and made them his sexual slaves.

Some were underage girls who had left their families under the impression that The Pied Piper would turn them into singing sensations.

It is horrific, to say the least. It makes one wonder how Kelly has “survived” all these sex allegations throughout these years.

Coming back to our shores, I think the SABC is being reactive by considering muting Kelly. The global phenomenon #MuteRKelly, which blew up last year, did little to hurt Kelly’s music career.

Here is my issue with SABC’s consideration. Firstly, the national broadcaster is being hypocritical. This is the same institution that was found to have swept under the carpet several cases of sexual harassment perpetrated by senior managers against lower-ranked staff members.

Barbara Watson, who chaired an inquiry into the SABC, said: “It is disturbing that none of the cases that have been reported have had the perpetrator being held to account.” This, she added, was because the broadcaster’s sexual harassment policies did not meet international standards.

Secondly, how do you begin to delete the endless list of hits and songs that he features on or has produced for other artists? The ripple effect on innocent artists who he has collaborated with is unimaginable.

Thirdly, why act on the unconvicted Kelly when the likes of Brickz and Dr Mageu, both jailed for sex crimes, continue to enjoy airplay? The list of other alleged women-bashers whose music is still being played on SABC is very long.

Fourthly, muting Kelly won’t be a walk in the park, as statistics have shown that his sales have actually rocketed since the series came out.

This shows that some people have decided to ignore the despicable allegations against him. I understand. I’m also conflicted. I hate what Kelly is said to have done to all those young girls, but I love the good feeling and memories that R Kelly (the artist), continues to evoke in me. I’m going to cling to my R Kelly music collection for a while, thank you.