The popular South African podcast Open Chats has found itself in deep controversy after making offensive remarks about the Coloured community in one of its episodes. The backlash has been swift and widespread, leading to MultiChoice terminating its contract with the podcast.
The incident came to light when a clip from the podcast went viral on social media, sparking outrage from the public, celebrities, and even government officials. The remarks were labelled as racist and demeaning, prompting calls for accountability and cancellation of the show.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, MultiChoice spokesperson Suzaan Keyter confirmed that the company decided to end its contract with the podcast on 25 July 2025. Keyter stated the decision was made to make space for new content in their August programming lineup. She further clarified that the specific episode containing the derogatory remarks never aired on their platform and that MultiChoice has strict quality control standards that do not allow for discriminatory or harmful content.
“MultiChoice is aware of recent comments made on the Open Chats Podcast. Open Chats’ contract with DStv ended on July 25 as the show was removed to make way for our August content slate. The [derogatory] episode was not aired on our platform. MultiChoice adheres to stringent quality control processes and does not promote any discriminatory content,” said Keyter.
Following the controversy, several well-known figures weighed in on the matter. The musical duo Major League DJz took to Twitter, expressing their frustration at the rising trend of podcasts using sensational and controversial content to attract views.
“These podcasts are getting out of hand now. People are just saying things for reactions and trends. SMH,” they tweeted.
One of the most vocal critics was the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. He condemned the comments and promised legal action against the podcast. In a strong public statement, McKenzie urged South Africans not to tolerate such levels of disrespect towards any community.
“We must never allow people to become that comfortable,” McKenzie said. “I want a report today on how we’re going to deal with those who said Coloured people are ‘crazy’.” He instructed members of the Patriotic Alliance, including legal professionals, to take appropriate legal steps.
The podcast team later issued a public apology following the outcry, but many believe the damage had already been done. Social media users and public figures continued to call for long-term accountability, with some pushing for permanent removal of the podcast across all platforms.
The Open Chats controversy is part of a growing conversation around the responsibilities of podcasters and online influencers. In an era where digital platforms offer massive reach, many critics argue that creators must uphold ethical standards and avoid spreading harmful stereotypes for the sake of engagement.
The incident also reignited discussions about freedom of speech versus hate speech, and whether enough is being done to prevent offensive content from spreading online.
As public pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the podcast will survive the fallout or fade into obscurity.
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