Gwen Britz (14 days), Aluta Mlisana (eight days) and Thabiso Mafane (14 days) all had to stop their fasts for different reasons, though all three plan to continue to support the action strongly. Mafane will be running the blog and Facebook groups dedicated to this action to increase awareness virally and build up a broader base of audience outside the TV industry itself. Mlisana will continue to produce the documentary she has been working on about the protest and the history of the SABC.
Katz, who started the action with a 30-day water fast of his own and who has now eaten carefully for one week, says that while it was a difficult moment for the movement, they had all learned from the experience and this would strengthen the action going forward.
The hunger protest is in support of ethics, transparency and partnership with the SABC in delivering local content to the public. Details on the fast and procedures to be followed before fasting can be found on the blog heading “JOIN US” www.hungerprotest.wordpress.com.
