Soli Philander has been dismissed from Cape Talk radio (and Radio 702) - here's "Soli's Rhyme" or story explaining what happened

Soli we'll miss you.... I thought I'd capture his Facebook rhyme (or story explaining his side of what happened) - it might be easier for people to link to a posting rather than a Facebook comment:


This was posted by Soli as a comment on his Facebook page on 17th July 2010 @ 18h00:
"
When I joined Capetalk under the umbrella of Primedia
the understanding was "it's great to have your brand here"
I was to week-daily generate two hours of radio
keep the clients satisfied, help the numbers grow

All agreements that involved my other talents and skills
would be negotiated through my agent/manager (a position my wife fills)
I'll be so bold as to say in it's own way all was well, everything was fine
not only me, but my team did our best to shine

Meantime Primedia was starting this Primetalent endeavour
(and from their angle the move was decidedly clever)
Primetalent would represent all talent Primedia employs
and negotiate all their deals (this is not short, girls and boys)

This involves MC work, voice-overs, endorsements, etcetera
and payment would follow a certain set of criteria
We met, took pictures and agreed to discuss the deal
with an understanding that my scenario demands a different feel

I didn't need them (excuse me if I sound arrogant) to build my name
I didn't need them to find additional income for me - which they now claim
I did literally two jobs for them (without signing up)
and on the second one I was clear: here is the rub

I was earning a pittance (The Welcome The World Party) a laughable sum
and after all my hard work, ended up feeling glum
Also at this time my Capetalk contract was coming up for renewal
I had a signed letter assuring me employment was continual

But they suddenly developed difficulties getting the contract to me
whilst assuring me it had nothing to do with the Primetalent fee.
and then found it impossible to communicate with my manager/wife
who was not prepared to meagre fee my working life

I understand their concern, appparently there were documents signed
on which no clear parameters of my involvement had been to me defined
They asked for my position repeatedly, I repeatedly concurred with my love
which was when they decided they wanted to play tough

I was told (again) in no uncertain terms (again) that there was no other way
that it would be discussed in Joburg, that they would get back to me the next-to-next day
I felt concern, like my manager/wife alarm
my working at Capetalk was being threatened with harm

I had already worked for 5 days without a signed agreement
I was feeling under duress from management's treatment
We had an Outside Broadcast planned, it was for WC Semi-final day
I went into Capetalk to do it, I had agreed, I wouldn't let others suffer from this fray

I mailed the station manager about my considerations and my concerns
my disquiet around all the contractual twists and turns
I informed Programming of my intention to seek legal advice and not to work
but that my responsibilities towards my role in the OB I was not prepared to shirk

Programming offers me two days leave (without a contract) and warn that the OB is in danger
because of technical difficulties, not a broadcast stranger
So programming is up to date, station management has not responded to my earlier missive
If I was younger I imagine by then I would not have been so passive

When the OB got cancelled just before 11.00am I left the station
Africa Melane had agreed to do the show, in that regard there was no desperation
On leaving though, I'm slipped an unsigned copy of the contract in question
I am still confounded by that action's suggestion

Programming then calls me and asks me to put the reasons for my non-appearance on paper
which I do, 'cause by then I was thoroughly over this caper
And to once again emphasise my levels of stress
I (again) specifically employ the use of the word duress

The next day Rapport wants to synchronistically do a profile
I ask programming for input from the station, mud-slinging is not my style
By the end of day I'm suspended, gagged and informed of a disciplinary hearing
to which without a contract there's no need for adhering

But I go along believing logic will prove them wrong
ask to talk, worried that my absence without explanation was going on for far too long
I won't share with you yet the mud slung at me a week later at the so-called hearing
or the process that led up to it and made me wonder if they were law-fearing

Suffice to say, the way they chose to approach this play
does nothing to dissuade me of the fact (to this day)
that their agenda was making me part of a secondary stream of income
and when I said share fair...well, you're aware of what it's become

Programming denies an entire conversation
The charges are nothing less than character decimation
At the hearing they came waving an iron fist
whilst there was apparently no need for 1 of the nearly 30 witnesses on my list

People who were ready to speak for me and how I operate
who I have daily contact with, and to whom I relate
Now they've managed to get rid of me, and they think that they've won
and maybe they have, who knows when anything is done

The truth is when fighting exploitation
It's hard to manage the perceptions of the nation
especially if you know the workings of the media machine
where the truth can often be filtered through a screen

And when you're in dispute with a powerful organisation
the slightest wrong step can lead to devastation
but what worth our integrity if we're not prepared to fight
for what might not be profitable, but what is clearly right

And isn't it ironic, isn't it funny
that all work issues invariably revolve around money
if you ignore the hype and orchestrated hysteria
you'll find a thinking where the coin is superior

With little regard for dignity or respect
or the attendant humanity those values reflect
therefore I tell you this not for ego or delight
but only to give you access to my insight
"

Soli has a very large family... even his Facebook page states: "I've reached my friends limit on this page, but you can connect with me here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-FANMILY/165477029521"