By Popular Demand

A year after his controversial exit from DEMAND Metro FM, Robert Marawa is back behind the mike. He speaks to YOU about his dramatic return

- Tholakeleke Mnganga

THE public broadcaster announced he was back and the internet went into meltdown.

They’d won, his fans said – all that pressure they’d put on the powers that be had worked and their favourite sports presenter was back on air.

It’s been nearly a year of radio silence for veteran TV and radio personality Robert Marawa, who was fired from Metro FM in July 2017.

The decision was taken due to behind-the-scenes in-fighting: three weeks before his axing Robert (45) had refused to return to his sports show in solidarity with his producer, Beverly Maphangwa, whom he believed had been unfairly suspended after playing clips on air that included commentary from pay channel SuperSport.

After a public spat, the SABC took Robert off-air. But now he’s back. In a candid interview just days after the SABC announced his return, he says he doesn’t regret what happened.

“I took a firm stand in support of my producer and I’d do so over and over again because you’ve got to stand up for certain principles.”

He’s sorting out the details of whether he’ll work with the same support staff had before being fired, he adds.

Robert is grateful to the listeners who petitioned for his return.

“The listener is my boss. They formed forums and there were people who signed a petition and went to the parliamentary portfolio committee and demanded my return.

“People rallied because they knew what had happened was wrong and there was no legal merit for what had happened.”

His colleagues in the entertainment and broadcast industry also stood by him, Robert adds.