In the internet age, airing your dirty laundry in public is a perennial risk.
Two Namibian television presenters have found fame online after footage of their tense exchange went viral. The presenters, news anchor Elmarie Kapunda and sports reporter Jessica Kaimu, were filming in the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) studios on June 9 when Kaimu was caught snapping at Kapunda for the wording of her introduction.
In the footage, Kapunda is beginning to segue into Kaimu’s sports bulletin. Seemingly believing that they are rehearsing the segment rather than broadcasting live, Kaimu cuts her off. “No, you’re not going to do that. You’re just going to greet me and say ‘Take it away,'” she says, her tone decidedly brusque.
A hush falls over the set before the camera pans back to Kapunda for her response. “Jessica, we are live,” she says after a beat. Both broadcasters fall silent for an excruciating few seconds, apparently too embarrassed to know what to say or do next, before commercials roll.
Were it not for social media, the whole affair might have ended there. Unfortunately for both women, however, an eagle-eyed viewer caught the moment on camera and posted the 33-second clip on Twitter, where it went viral. The phrase “Jessica, we are live” is now being mercilessly memed by the Namibian and South African Twitter communities, among others, according to CNN. Many viewers are now speculating that Kapunda and Kaimu have a poor working relationship.
“Lol Jessica chose the wrong time to settle scores,” one commenter wrote.
“Wow. I wonder what transpired behind the scenes,” another tweeted.
Jessica clearly has some unresolved issues with the news anchor,” a third wrote.
Even fellow broadcasters have joined in the fun. On June 10, South African Broadcasting Corporation anchors Sakina Kamwendo and Vaylen Kirtley recreated the now-notorious exchange, according to another popular tweet.
Jessica Challenge. How it started in Namibia between Elmarie Kapunda & Jessica Kaimu during an NBC(Namibia Broadcasting Corporation) live session & how its going in South Africa between Sakina Kamwendo & Vaylen Kirtley of SABC(South AFrican Broadcasting Corporation).”We are live” pic.twitter.com/2Rx1fhvrOw
— Ota Benga (@MmuiWabatho) June 10, 2021
Its persistent popularity has even compelled NBC executives to speak out. In an interview with CNN, Lazarus Jacobs, the chairperson of the network’s board, told the outlet that the faux pas was an “honest mistake.”
“Unfortunately for the sports presenter, I don’t know what happened in her earpiece, [but] she did not realize she was on air. What people heard and saw was something that was supposed to happen behind the scenes,” he said, adding that neither Kaimu nor Kapunda will face disciplinary action. He also denied that there is any bad blood between the two, calling them “good colleagues.”
ABDELHAK SENNA/Getty Images
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