9 December 2008
Dear Valued Media
It is with a very heavy heart that I, Leslie “Lee” Kasumba, would like to officially announce my departure from regional radio station, YFM. Much has been said and written in the media with regards to the reasons for my departure after 8 years of servitude at the youth station – much of it is unfounded.
Up until this time I have chosen to keep this matter private firstly out of respect for YFM, which was my home for just under a decade and has afforded me the many opportunities that I am grateful for. Working for YFM meant that I had direct contact with the youth of Gauteng (and beyond) and was able to liase and build strong bonds with them through my influence using hip hop.
It is because of my love of this very youth and of hip hop that I can no longer watch from the sidelines as my reputation and hip hop takes the rap for what was clearly a mistake. It is important to note here that I still have this respect for the YFM brand and in no shape or form am attempting to bring disrepute to it. I merely deserve the right to tell the truth in attempts to expose the fabrications that have been doing the rounds, particularly in the Sunday papers.
Late last year YFM management held a meeting with all the DJs to inform them that liquids in a sealed container, like a bottle, would be allowed in the studio.
It is with this information in mind that I took a bottle of water into the studio on the night of 4 November 2008 before my show. I accidentally bumped the bottled water – which was rested on a drawer that has wheels, a fact that I had not noticed before. Some of the water spilled on a technical desk. None of this was intentional.
Once I realized that I could not clean the water up I then immediately informed the technical guy who was on duty that night. My radio team and I then changed studios so we could wrap up the show. Directly after the show I notified the head of YFM, Mr Kanthan Pillay as well as Mr Vukile Zondi of my mistake and apologized for it. It was only on 6 November 2008 that I was told by Mr Zondi that I was suspended and would have to appear in front of a Disciplinary Committee on 10 November 2008.
This hearing only took place two weeks later.
Because of my mistake I was told that I would be charged with gross negligence as the desk would cost a quarter of a million rand to repair. This is the same information that was fed to the media. This is definitely a lie and a spiteful thing to say.
Upon realizing that perhaps it was time for YFM and I to part ways I sent e-mails to the HR department to find out about the resignation process. None of these were replied to. After my enquiries on the resignation process seemed to be ignored I was then called in for the verdict.
It was stated that because of what it would cost the company, I was to be dismissed – even though I’d already expressed my desire to resign. Mr Mike Penny, YFM’s Technical Manager, also informed me that the repair would only amount to R15 000. None of this has been reported to the media as yet.
Keeping in mind that I have served YFM diligently for 8 years and never brought shame to the YFM name, publicly or otherwise, I find it difficult to understand why I would be treated like I was a troublemaker. I recognize that no one is above the law and that I should be punished for my mistake however the reasons for this personal matter turning controversial have left me shocked.
Once again I emphasise that I have no bad blood with YFM. I just wanted to make sure that people have the facts before they start writing or speaking about this on any platform. I am truly humbled by the love that the public has continued to show me through the good and bad times. Thank you for reading through this whole letter, I had really hoped it wouldn’t have to come to this.
Should you require any clarity on anything please do not hesitate to e-mail me on leslie.kasumba@gmail.com. Please bear in mind that I will be on holiday for the rest of the year and will have limited access to the internet.
