Actor Wiseman Sithole dead at 51

by Thinus Ferreira

The South Africa actor Wiseman Sithole died on Sunday night two days after his 51st birthday.

The cause of his death is not yet known.

"It is with the greatest sadness that we share the shattering news of Wiseman Sithole's sudden passing," says ERM Stars, his agent, in a statement.

"We are honoured to have worked alongside this legend of an actor. He touched many lives as a friend, relative, and to his audience on screen. We will miss you so much Wiseman! We will release more details and arrangements upon instruction by his dear family."

Wiseman Sithole was born on 27 June 1974 and was a well-known stage actor, performing at arts festivals.

On television he was most famous for his Shooting Stars role in e.tv's drama series as a nefarious soccer agent.

 

Wiseman Sithole also had roles in SABC2's 90 Plein Street and Die Sentrum, and in Showmax's Catch me a Killer he was Mlungisi Gwala.

He also appeared in Jiva!, Mooiweer en Warm, kykNET's Projek Dina, Suidooster and Straat, as well as in the TV series S.I.E.S, Strike Back, M-Net's Summertide telenovela, Traffic! and SABC3's Charlie Jade.

Wiseman Sithole also had roles in films, ranging from Konfetti and Zulu to Cape of Good Hope, 2003's Eine Liebe in Afrika, to the bus driver in 2010's Master Harold and the boys.

SABC drops Communication Workers Union it says fell below 500 staffers, CWU slams notice as 'a fabrication and a deception'

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC has dropped its recognition of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), telling staffers that the trade union will no longer be recognised as a bargaining group since its membership has fallen below the threshold of 500 represented staffers at the South African public broadcaster.

The CWU has slammed the move, saying the SABC's notice issued by Rachel Masuku, the SABC's head of human resources, is "a fabrication and a deception".

The move to scrap the CWU's representation leaves Bemawu as the only recognised trade union for workers at the SABC.

In an internal memo, Rachel Masuku, the SABC's head of human resources, on Monday told SABC staffers that the South African public broadcaster has "terminated" the recognition rights of the CWU.

The SABC says the CWU no longer adheres to, and is in "non-compliance with clause 11.1.4 of the Recognition Agreement".

This agreement stipulates that "In the event of the union membership decreasing to under 500 members in the bargaining unit and the union failing to resolve its representativity within three calendar months or such period as shall be agreed to, the union shall lose its recognition status".

In November 2024 the SABC told the CWU that its membership had fallen to below 500 SABC staffers and was given three months from 19 November to bring its union tally to back over 500.

An extension of a further two months was given to the CWU but it failed to close the 500 threshold.

"CWU will no longer enjoy recognition rights within the SABC with effect from today," Rachel Masuku told SABC staffers in the internal memo on 23 June.

The CWU says it "anticipated" the SABC's move that it calls an "atrocity", noting that the CWU "had suffered the most brutal forms of union bashing".

The CWU says "For over three years, the SABC [has been] guilty of deliberately dragging out wage negotiations for months and months on end, the malicious collapse of the policy negotiations, victimisation of union members, non-compliance to occupational health and safety, unilateral restructuring to terms and conditions of employment, threatening shop stewards who fulfill their duties then subsequently suspending them, then dismissing them, negotiating in bad faith, while for almost a decade the SABC has viciously weaponised the employee relations regime".

The CWU says the trade union "never received an official notice of the illegal derecognition but received the notice via workers" and that "What is contained in the notice to employees as crafted by Rachel Masuku is actually a fabrication and a deception".

The CWU notes that it has filed a dispute with the CCMA in relation to its derecognition at the SABC on 24 June.

"We are calling for a full investigation into the union bashing of the CWU at the SABC, including the dismissal and suspension of its shop stewards".

Mmoni Nugbane, SABC spokesperson, didn't respond to a media query TVwithThinus made on Thursday about the SABC's notification of scrapping its recognition of the CWU as a trade union.

American pay-TV operator DirecTV stops offering new satellite subscriptions

by Thinus Ferreira

The American pay-TV operator DirecTV has stopped offering new satellite pay-TV subscriptions in certain parts of the United States, only allowing new subscribers to sign up for its like-for-like streaming service.

American media reports that DirecTV that launched in 1994 - a year before MultiChoice started DStv in South Africa - is now only allowing new subscribers to sign up for its streaming version in certain parts of the United States.

In a statement, DirecTV says "In select markets this limited-time trial will increase awareness and adoption of our satellite-free streaming service, which has quickly become the preferred solution for new consumer customers."

It's a sign that DirectTV is phasing out traditional satellite pay-TV and sees migrating its subscriber base to a streaming option as the way forward as so-called cord-cutting continues to accelerate in America with the loss of millions of traditional pay-TV subscribers every quarter.

DirecTV's streaming version is much more advanced way beyond MultiChoice's DStv, offering live TV streaming of carried channels, on-demand content, access to multiple streaming apps like Netflix HBO's Max, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and many more.

It also offers unlimited cloud PVR storage, allowing users to record and store content for up to 9 months, all without the need for a mounted satellite dish.

eNCA adds podcasts The Corder Report from Dan Corder and Both Sides from Randall Abrahams from July

by Thinus Ferreira

eMedia's South African TV news channel eNCA (DStv 403) is adding podcasts from Dan Corder and Randall Abrahams to its website as first-run original content from 1 July.

Dan Corder, currently the host of the weekly The Dan Corder Show on eNCA is adding The Corder Report as a podcast that will release original episodes from Tuesdays to Fridays at 16:00 from 1 July. 

"The Corder Report brings Dan Corder's trademark sharp analysis, unmistakable humour and compelling storytelling into a powerful new visual format," says eNCA.

According to eNCA The Corder Report will feature "Hundreds of  'recorders' contributing voice notes and messages through the show's active WhatsApp line, which Dan features into each episode, turning news from a one-way broadcast into a nationwide conversation".

Dan Corder says, "This partnership with eNCA helps us spread the stories that matter to more South Africans. The idea has always been to make the news feel like a watch party, where we laugh, argue, think and connect with the world around us."

eNCA is also adding Both Sides as "a provocative new podcast" with the former Idols presenter and Primedia CEO Randall Abrahams on Sundays at 12:00.

According to eNCA, Both Sides "creates a space where thoughtful dialogue meets unfiltered perspective" and will "bring together an unexpected mix of guests – from political heavyweights and cultural game-changers to entertainment icons and voices you didn’t know you needed to hear".

"There’s no script, no predictable angles –  just conversations that reveal the complexity behind every headline.

Randall Abrahams says, "Both Sides is a space for layered conversations. The kind that ask bold questions and reveal what people don’t usually say out loud."

South African actress Meme Ditshego dead at 60 after her condition worsened in hospital after short illness

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African actress Meme Ditshego, best known for her role as Joyce Mlambo in the comedy series The Coconuts, has died. She was 60. 

Meme Ditshego died after a short illness in hospital and the cause of death is not yet known. Her conditioned worsened over the past weekend and she passed away last night.

"It is with deep sorrow and reverence that we announce the passing of Meme Ditshego - a beloved South African actress, legendary comedic talent and a true veteran of our screen and stage," her talent agent Eye Media Artists said in a statement on Thursday.

"Meme passed away on the evening of 25 June leaving behind a legacy that spans decades and generations. She was a pioneer of performance - a woman whose vibrant spirit, sharp wit and undeniable presence brought life to every role she played."

"Her unforgettable work has headlined major productions across the SABC, e.tv, Netflix and MultiChoice, touching the hearts of South Africans and global audiences alike."

Meme Ditshego wo was born in May 1965 started her acting career in township theatre and joined the Sobonile Players, appearing on stage in Antigone, and later joined the then Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal where she participated in school theatre outreach from 1989 to 1993.

In 1992 she started working in children's theatre, appeared in the satirical play Don Gzubane Onner die Boere, and in the 2000s was also on stage in plays ranging from Acropolis Cafe to The Amen Corner and MacBeki.

Meme Ditshego's TV debut came in 1997 with SABC2's Afrikaans drama series Sterk Skemer in which she had the role of Elsie, and appeared as Ma Thandi in SABC1's Soul Buddys. In SABC3's Jozi-H hospital drama series she was Gladys and was Ausi Ntsoaki in SABC2's Muvhango.

In 2007 Meme Ditshego had a role in SABC2's Kompleks, followed by one of her most famous roles - that of Joyce Mlambo for two seasons in M-Net's comedy series The Coconuts.

She followed this up with the role of Josephine in SABC2's comedy series Ga Re Dumele for six years and which won her the Best Actress Golden Horn trophy at the South African Film and TV Awards (Saftas) in 2012. For the same role she was nominated again for a Safta in the same category in 2014.

In SABC3's sitcom Safe as Hauser's she appeared as Dotty Sithole in 2013, and in 2013 also starred in SABC2's drama series Geraamtes in die Kas as Aunt Ethel.

In M-Net's Zabalaza on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) she was Winnie in the third season, and was Brenda in Mzansi Magic's drama series Imposter in 2017.

In 2017 she also appeared as Dr Machaka in e.tv's telenovela Broken Vows and in 2021 appeared as Refiloe in SABC's comedy series Ak'siSpaza.

Other TV roles included SABC2's Erfsondes, Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter, The Mating Game and films Alles Wat Mal Is, Skorokoro, as well as Love, Sex and 30 Candles.

Meme Ditshego also appeared in Mzansi Magic's Cobrizi and its two seasons of Entangled and was Rakgadi Mmapula in SABC2's third season of Giyani - Land of Blood.

In Onse Kasi on SABC2 she played Nomusa and in SABC1's Skeem Saam she was the character of Patricia. In the third season of Zabalaza in 2015 on the Mzansi Wethu channel she portrayed Winnie.

SuperSport presenter Phumlani Msibi known for 'Coach, thoughts please?' dead at 57 after short illness

Thinus Ferreira

The SuperSport presenter, commentator and anchor Phumlani Msibi died on Friday after a short illness. He was 57.

SuperSport said in a statement it is "sadly mourning the loss of its legendary football and boxing commentator, presenter and anchor, Phumlani Msibi, who died on Friday, 20 June 2025, after a short illness at the age of 57"

Phumlani Msibi was born 15 December 1967 in Durban. In his decades-long and storied broadcasting career, his phrase, "Coach, thoughts please?" upped the intrigue for viewers in post-match interviews and became iconic in the football fraternity, SuperSport said in a tribute.

Phumlani Msibi who worked at the SABC, started at SuperSport as a ring announcer with the late boxing promoter, Mzi Mnguni, in the late 1990s before becoming a seasoned boxing commentator, becoming the first to commentate in isiZulu and English on SuperSport.

He soon embedded himself in the football sphere, becoming one of the faces and voices of football on SuperSport following the acquisition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights in 2007.

 
This proved a pivotal point in his career, whereby Phumlani Msibi grew his repertoire, immersing himself in all things football on SuperSport, whether live or on magazine programming. 

According to SuperSport, "his clever use of language, whether isiZulu or English, endeared him to viewers across the continent, while his humility made his interviewees comfortable in front of camera".
 
He became SuperSport's "Mr Versatile", featuring on popular football magazine shows, Super Saturday and Soccer Africa, as well as doing his bespoke storytelling through Mzansi Legends, where he interviewed people such as Dr Irvin Khoza, the PSL and Orlando Pirates Chairman, Dr Kaizer Motaung Senior, Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs, the late Thomas Madigage and many others.

Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, in the statement, says Phumlani Msibi "was one of the most beloved sports commentators SuperSport has ever had. He had a reputation as an outstanding professional, well-respected by his peers and colleagues and a respected family man".

"On behalf of SuperSport and the MultiChoice family, we'd like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Msibi family following this great loss."

"Msibi's loss will be felt not just by the broadcaster and football fraternity but by the whole sporting community at large. We are gravely saddened by his passing."

MultiChoice bleeds 1.2 million linear pay-TV subscribers as DStv owner reports a big loss it blames on 'unprecedented headwinds'

by Thinus Ferreira

Pay-TV company MultiChoice late on Wednesday reported that 8% or 1.2 million of its linear DStv subscribers had cut the cord over the past financial year as it ended 31 March 2025 with a big loss it blames on "unprecedented headwinds".

The 1.2 million subscribers that MultiChoice, as Africa's largest pay-TV operator, lost in total, in a year, is more than the 1 million South African DStv Premium and DStv Compact subscribers which is all that remain on MultiChoice's most expensive premium tier.

Over its past two financial years MultiChoice has lost a whopping 2.8 million linear subscribers.

By 31 March 2025 MultiChoice, which is in the process of a corporate takeover by France's Canal+, had 14.5 million active subscribers across South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. A year ago it stood at 15.7 million.

In a statement, MultiChoice said, "The past two financial years have been a period of significant financial disruption for economies, corporates and consumers across sub-Saharan Africa due to challenging macroeconomic factors".

"Combined with the impact of structural industry changes in video entertainment, such as the rise of piracy, streaming services and social media, this has materially affected the overall performance of MultiChoice Group."

According to MultiChoice, subscribers are cutting the DStv cord because "economic hardship and affordability remain a challenge across the board".

"The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has meant that households are struggling to make ends meet and many had no choice but to give up their DStv subscription for the time being." 

MultiChoice subscribers declined by 8% from 15.69 million to 14.51 million, while its 90-day active subs fell 11% to 18.59 million during the period.

"Linear subscribers were down 1.2 million or 8% year-on-year to 14.5 million active subscribers, with the loss evenly split between South Africa (0.6 million) and Rest of Africa (RoA) (0.6 million)," MultiChoice says.

MultiChoice had 7.5 million subscribers in South Africa, and 7 million in the RoA.

"Although reflecting an improvement on FY24 trends, this indicates ongoing broad-based pressure across the group's entire customer base."

According to MultiChoice's 90-days active subscriber metric, it lost 10% DStv premium (Premium and Compact) subscribers in South Africa, while DStv Compact subscribers in South Africa decreased by 6% and mass market decreased by 7%.

In South Africa, MultiChoice now has only 1 million DStv Premium and DStv Compact subscribers left, with 2.1 DStv Compact subscribers and 4.7 lower-tiered subscribers.

MultiChoice's average revenue per user (ARPU) in South Africa for the year until 31 March 2025 increased by 4% for its DStv premium segment (DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus packages), 2% for its mid-market segment (DStv Compact), and 10% higher ARPU for its mass market (DStv Family, DStv Access, DStv EasyView) tier. 

In the rest of Africa, Nigeria and Zambia are the two markets hampering MultiChoice growth, with Nigeria accounting for 77% of subscriber losses in RoA blamed on very high inflation causing customers to cancel.

Meanwhile extreme electricity blackouts in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi lead to customers cutting the cord.

Streaming customers-wise, MultiChoice saw a 44% jump in Showmax subscribers year-over-year after it relaunched "Showmax 2.0" in February 2024 with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky in the United Kingdom.

This 44% Showmax subscriber growth is however below MultiChoice's original projections for its relaunched streamer, with MultiChoice saying the new Showmax "subscriber growth has lagged initial exponential growth targets".

DStv Stream subscribers is up 38% with revenues increasing 48%.

MultiChoice is also no longer technically insolvent.

"Importantly, the group returned to a positive equity position through a combination of cost savings, a stabilisation in currencies, and the accounting gain on the sale of 60% of the group’s shareholding in its insurance business (NMSIS) to Sanlam," MultiChoice says.

According to Calvo Mawela, "Our performance reflects both the challenges we've faced and the resilience of our teams".

"While macroeconomic pressures and currency volatility have weighed on our results, our disciplined execution, cost management and investment in new long-term growth opportunities position us well for the future."

MultiChoice Group's revenues declined by 9% year-on-year to R50.8 billion, primarily due to an 11% drop in subscription revenue.

After incorporating Showmax's trading losses and R5.2 billion in foreign currency revenue losses, and partially offset by the R3.7 billion in cost savings, MultiChoice's trading profit declined to R4.0 billion.

MultiChoice says it added 5 340 hours of local content in the year, bringing the total local content library to more than 91 470 hours. SuperSport broadcast 47 839 hours of live coverage (+7% YoY) and produced 1 029 live events.

It also renewed channel carriage agreements with Paramount for MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Nicktoons, and Nickelodeon, as well as with ZEE.

Notably, its SuperSport Schools app saw 46% growth in registered users to reach 1.2 million, while the platform reached nearly 11 million unique viewers through the app and DStv channel 216 and delivered 50 000 hours of content.

MultiChoice says one of its three "clear priorities" is to"Continue to work with Canal+ towards a successful close of their mandatory offer in order to unlock significant long-term benefits for the combined entities and their respective stakeholders".

This deal is still subject to Competition Tribunal approval and this takeover is expected to close in October 2025.

Muvhango crew and cast unpaid yet again as SABC rips cancelled show's remaining episodes from SABC2 without explanation

by Thinus Ferreira

The crew and cast of Word of Mouth Pictures have been unpaid yet again at the end of May, saying that the production company hasn't been been paid by the SABC, while the South African public broadcaster suddenly also removed the remaining episodes of the cancelled Muvhango from SABC2 on Thursday without explanation. 

While the SABC's cancelled Venda weekday soap on SABC2 is only supposed to end airing on 8 August, the show's remaining episodes abruptly disappeared on the SABC2 on Thursday and Friday 5 and 6 June, with the omnibus repeat block on Saturdays also removed without any explanation to viewers or the media.

According to insiders, the Muvhango crew and cast have gone unpaid at the end of May. 

The crew and cast were told by the production company that they had hoped the SABC would pay last week, so that the people working on the show could be paid by Monday 2 June.

This is similar to what happened after the SABC cancelled 7de Laan on SABC2 when Danie Odendaal Productions went unpaid for the remaining episodes still to be delivered.

Danie Odendaal Productions then refused to send further episodes for broadcast on SABC2 unless payment was received from the struggling SABC.

Mmoni Ngubane, SABC spokesperson, didn't respond to media queries about the non-payment of the Muvhango cast or why remaining Muvhango episodes suddenly stopped airing on SABC2 on Thursday this week.

The Muvhango cast and crew on the Duma Ndlovu-produced show have gone unpaid numerous times in the past - both due to mismanagement at the production company, as well as not being paid by the technically insolvent SABC.

Muvhango extras are also waiting to be paid. 

Muvhango background actors are also demanding payment they haven't received yet from Nonkululeko Ndlovu's  Turning Heads Casting Agency.

Nonkululeko Ndlovu is the daughter of the troubled Duma Ndlovu who created Muvhango. Duma Ndlovu has been charged with tax evasion totalling R25 million and he appeared in court in October 2024.

Muvhango that got cancelled in 2024 when its contract for a shortened 130-episode season ran out but then got a belated one-year new contract of 260 episodes for a 26th season.

That final reprieve for the long-running show has now also ran out and Muvhango is now set to be replaced by a new drama series entitled Pimville Queens.

Pimville Queens is produced by Bakwena Productions which is also notorious for its non-payment of cast and crew as well as service suppliers.

It's still unclear why the SABC have decided to do business with Bakwena Productions of Kagiso Modupe, Rashaka "Rush" Moufhe and Brenda Mukwevho, with SABC executives fully aware of Bakwena Productions' troubled past with payments.

Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, says she believes Pimville Queens will be "successful from a launch perspective".

For SABC2 we're introducing a new telenovela starting in August, which is going to be replacing the existing Muvhango".

She said that "Come August, we are launching a new telenovela called Pimville on SABC2, and based on that we will be really driving that audience share back to SABC2. 

ALSO READ: SABC cancels Muvhango after 28 years, CEO Nomsa Chabeli says replacement telenovela Pimville will hopefully be successful to bring SABC2 viewers back

ALSO READ: 'Final farewell' planned for SABC2's cancelled Muvhango after failed one-year reprieve

ALSO READ: SABC2's Muvhango forced to stop production again after writers, cast and crew again go unpaid by Word of Mouth Pictures

ALSO READ: Rhythm World Productions tells unpaid Umkhokha cast and crew it has 'cash flow' problems as MultiChoice vows stronger checks on growing trend of payment-skipping producers

ALSO READ: Legal action starts against producer Kagiso Modupe after he fails to pay crew and cast of BET Africa's Pound 4 Pound: 'Poor show of morals'

ALSO READ: SABC2 will show the last episode it has of 7de Laan tonight unless the SABC pays the show the outstanding millions it is owed

Primedia Studios' Deal or No Deal Celebrity on SABC1 returns for second season from 14 June for 52 episodes fronted by special highlights debut on 7 June

by Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios' Deal or No Deal Celebrity game show is returning to SABC1 for a second season of 52 episodes from Saturday 14 June at 18:00 and will debut with a special season one highlights episode.

Primedia Studios does Deal or No Deal SA, as well as the Deal or No Deal Celebrity version for the South African public broadcaster, with Homebrew Films filming at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town.

Deal or No Deal Celebrity will run for another year and 52 hour-long episodes with a season one highlights episode that will be shown on SABC1 on Saturday 7 June. All episodes are available on the SABC's video streaming service SABC+ after broadcast.

Deal or No Deal Celebrity with Katlego Maboe as host will once again have a crop of South African singers, actors, TV presenters, comedians and sport stars playing with the hope of winning money for charities and other worthy causes.

During the first season run of the show, R2.2 million was paid out to more than 40 charity organisations operating across South Africa. 

Contestants can win anything between R1 to R250 000 with the outcome hinging on which briefcases they eliminate.