The National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) once again very disrespectfully forgot, didn't know, and left out several names from the always-botched In Memoriam segment of people who have died and who have worked in and contributed to the South African film and TV industry.
Once again, the shoddy and badly-produced 13th Saftas broadcast, done this year by Clive Morris Productions, couldn't get the In Memoriam segment correct and complete.
For a South African awards show that is supposedly for the South African film and TV industry, the NFVF, the Safta organising committee and organisers and Clive Morris Productions once again failed to adhere to basic standards and to do basic research of who died in the industry since the previous Saftas took place in 2018.
Those who've passed away, and those still living and working in the TV and film industry and who should get recognition, all deserve better than this, but in sheer incompetence the NFVF, Clive Morris Productions and the Saftas organisers are unable to keep a proper list from year to year of who died in order to pay basic, proper tribute to them.
Some notable people who died the past year and who were shockingly excluded from the In Memoriam tribute at the 13th Saftas include Rowena Baird (SABC TV and radio presenter), Carlos Carvalho (cinematographer), Sonwabo Eddie Funde (former SABC chairperson), Owethu Enhle Gambushe (actress), Thembinkosi Mangethe Zwane (TV and radio presenter), Pat Rogers (SA TV broadcasting pioneer and presenter), Siyabonga Ngodze (rigger), Lerina Erasmus (writer and actress) and the legendary Winston Ntshona, the playwright and actor who was bestowed the Safta Lifetime Achievement Award for Acting in 2011.
Let's maybe also remember Oscar, the beloved Dulux Old English Sheepdog of so many South African Dulux TV commercials that died in January.
