‘Jessica, we’re live… NOT’: Duo taken off air after blunder goes viral
Namibian broadcasters Elmarie Kapunda and Jessica Kaimu have no doubt sprinkled some colour on this week’s news cycle, thanks to the awkward exchange, which was caught on live television.
But it has been learnt that both Kapunda and Kaimu have been taken off air, as a result of the incident.
Elmarie Kapunda and Jessica Kaimu have been suspended
Here’s a recap of what happened: It was a normal broadcast of NBC News Live, an evening news programme in the country on Wednesday, 9 June 2021. Elmarie Kapunda, who does news on the show, crosses to Jessica Kaimu, the sports anchor, she attempts to engage her in some sports banter, ahead of her bulletin. Well, Kaimu was definitely not having it and called her colleague out.
“No, you’re not going to do that. You’re just going to greet me and say, ‘Take it away.’ You’re not going to do that,” she said.
“Jessica we are live,” Kapunda then said. This was then followed by a few seconds of on-air silence with the women unable to do anything but give awkward glances to each other, before they cut to commercial.
The exchange has made global headlines and is definitely one for the books, particularly under the ‘News anchor bloopers’ section on Youtube. It even inspired the SABC News morning time to do a re-enactment of their own.
But now a news report in Namibia claims that both Kaimu and Kapunda have been taken off air. NBC has remained mum on the matter and has not responded to questions by The South African.
“While local and international companies have capitalised on an on-air gaffe by two NBC presenters, last night the broadcaster has dropped the duo from presenting news and sport, indefinitely,” a publication in the country said.
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