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Media savvy and professionalism is what Lesedi and Ekurhuleni Local Municipalities lack!

Sports Beat was taken aback by the manner in which these two municipalities treated the media during the arrival of 2008 Beijing Olympic silver medallist Khotso Mokoena at the OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday, because they merely gave this journalist a stinking attitude as if they don?t want the publicity.

To worsen matters, the newly appointed Ekurhuleni mayor pushed journalists and photographers away as if we were all gatecrashers. Well, Sports Beat is not surprised upon hearing that she is new, considering her amateur behaviour. She does not understand the role of the media. Perhaps she needs some lessons from Sedibeng District Municipality Mayor Mlungisi Hlongwane, who is always smiling every time he sees a camera. Love or hate him, Hlongwane knows how to draw attention from the media without even uttering a word.

Dear Madam Mayor, if we had to follow your protocol, we would not have had a picture of Mokoena in our newspaper today. Sports Beat has witnessed many mayors ruining their careers simply because they view journalists as the enemy. So, change your attitude or suffer the consequences of becoming part of the statistics.

Back to OR Thambo International airport. When Mokoena arrived, one lady ordered journalists and photographers to back off - and with a stinking attitude, nogal! As if they don't need us there. She forgets that we were not there for her, but for someone who not only made Sedibeng proud, but also the whole nation.

I cannot help but emphasise the amateurism of both these municipalities. If they did not want us there, they should not have invited us in the first place.

As for the less known Lesedi municipality: they should know that for them to improve their economic status, among other things, they should treat the media with white gloves.

Also, Sports Beat was upset with one of the ladies from Lesedi who kept on ordering the media to back off. As if she is Mokoena's manager or agent...oh please! She treats us like the many fans who packed the airport to welcome back their hero. You can't blame them for their behaviour, though. They were immensely excited.

On a happier note, Sports Beat would like to congratulate Mokoena for his sterling performance at the Beijing Olympics. This means a lot to Sedibeng, especially to those youngsters who aspire to become athletes in future. Sports Beat wants to see more Khotso Mokoenas emerging from Sedibeng.

Oeshee kuze kuse!

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