NFVF Council Dissolved with Immediate Effect for a 2nd Time in 2 Years as Fired Board Members are Slammed Over 'Loss of Confidence' to Provide Governance for SA's Rudderless Film Agency

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's beleaguered and unstable National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has had its latest board dissolved for the second time in two years, following shocking and damning failures around the egregious and irregular appointment of a council member as latest acting CEO.

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture fired the entire board of the struggling South African film agency on Wednesday, 23 September with immediate effect, bringing their term to a shocking and abrupt end.

Gayton McKenzie dissolved the previous NFVF council just two years ago in July 2024, following allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

The latest board firing comes after the NFVF council appointed one of its own council members, Nondumiso Madlala, as acting CEO of the struggling agency in July.

Nondumiso Madlala's appointment as acting NFVF CEO - a position the rudderless NFVF also continues to struggle to properly fill - was done while NFVF whistleblowers accused Nondumiso Madlala of allegedly "protecting" the previous acting NFVF CEO Onke Dumiso, who was suspended.

Nondumiso Madlala became the 7th person to be placed in the NFVF's CEO chair over the past three years since 2023.

The NFVF council appointed Nondumiso Madlala as acting NFVF CEO despite serious allegations that were raised against her as well, by insiders.

In a shocking turn of events, the NFVF council brazenly admitted that section 13(4) of the National Film and Video Foundation Act doesn't allow the board to appoint a council member as acting NFVF CEO.

After the minister complained, the NFVF council quietly terminated Nondumiso Madlala as acting NFVF CEO and quietly appointed Neliswa Bam as acting NFVF CEO - the 8th person to serve in this position.

The NFVF didn't bother to either issue any press release or statement about Neliswa Bam's appointment, or to inform South Africa's TV and film industry, when this happened.

By Friday night, the NFVF's website still listed the fired NFVF council although they've been fired two days before.

Leon van Nierop is still listed as NFVF council chairperson, with Mthokozisi Radebe as deputy chairperson, together with Chad Louw, Andrea Gordon, Siphosethu Mtamzeli, Omphemetse Mokgosi, Tony Ferreira, Simon Clarke, Yazeed Kamaldien, Nobuntu Dubazana, Nondumiso Madlala, and Lindeka Moeng as company secretary.

According to Gayton McKenzie, the brazen decisions by the now-dissolved NFVF council members caused a "material loss of confidence" in the NFVF council's ability to "provide the lawful and accountable governance required by the Act".

The minister's office didn't immediately respond to a media query made on Friday afternoon about the firing of the NFVF board and why this was done.

TVwithThinus also asked the NFVF, in a media query on Friday afternoon for comment, and also why it failed to issue any press statement on Wednesday, two days ago, and decided not to inform South Africa's film industry that the board is gone.

The NFVF's communications officer, Busisiwe Hoho, in response, said "The appointment and/or dissolution of the NFVF council is the sole prerogative of the minister of sport, arts and culture. The onus therefore rests with the office of the minister".

In a statement on Friday afternoon, the Democratic Alliance (DA) political party said Gayton McKenzie's "recent dissolution of his own appointed NFVF council, citing governance concerns, has once again raised serious questions about his appointment of the same individuals to multiple public entities he ultimately controls".

"Three individuals in particular highlight the extent of these overlaps: Simon Clarke, Omphemetse Mokgosi and Siphosethu Mtamzeli."

"Before the NFVF council was dissolved on Wednesday, 23 September, all three simultaneously served on the NFVF Council, the Board of the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), and the National Arts Council (NAC)."

The DA says "Multiple board membership is not automatically improper. But where the same individuals appear across several public entities facing significant governance and operational problems, alongside documented political relationships involving senior appointees, parliament and the public are entitled to know how and why those selections were made."

ALSO READ: NFVF council member Nondumiso Madlala appointed latest acting NFVF CEO at SA's troubled film agency

South African Actor Ian Roberts for A Kind of Madness and SA Sports Film The Philipstown Wirecar Grand Prix from Giant Films Score Nominee Nods at 54th International Emmy Awards

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African actor Ian Roberts for the Wolflight film A Kind of Madness, as well as The Philipstown Wirecar Grand Prix from Giant Films in South Africa, have been nominated for 2026's 54th International Emmy Awards taking place on 23 November.

Ian Roberts scored a nomination in the category for Best performance by an actor for A Kind of Madness, while The Philipstown Wirecar Grand Prix film has been nominated in the category Best sports documentary.

Besides South Africa, nominees for the 54th International Emmy Awards come from 22 countries, including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.

There are 64 nominees across 16 categories and spanning 22 countries. 

The Philipstown Wirecar Grand Prix, about a group of teenagers who race their handmade wirecars in the desert, is currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

A Kind of Madness, from Wolflight Films, also stars Sandra Prinsloo, with Christiaan Olwagen as director who co-wrote the film with Wessel Pretorius.

A Kind of Madness, is a drama and road movie about a 70-year old man named Dan, who abducts his dementia-suffering wife, Elna, from her residential care home.

Driven by desperation and love, Dan goes on the run with Elna to escape both the police and their three adult children, who are actively pursuing them. They eventually make their way back to the ocean where they first met.

A Kind of Madness was a major winner earlier this year at the 19th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) walking away with four Golden Horn trophies.

Ian Roberts won at the Saftas for Best actor in a feature film, Sandra Prinsloo won for Best actress in a feature film, Christiaan Olwagen and Wessel Pretorius won Best achievement in scriptwriting for a feature film, and A Kind of Madness also won a trophy for Best achievement in original music/score for a feature film.

"The International Emmy Awards are as competitive as ever, with an outstanding range of entries from around the world vying for a coveted nomination," says Bruce L. Paisner, International Academy President & CEO, in a statement announcing the list of nominees.

"We look forward to bringing the global television community together to celebrate these exceptional programs and performances."

Kaspersky Warns That Malware Now Even Hides in Downloads Disguised as Film Torrents like The Odyssey

by Thinus Ferreira

The antivirus and security solutions company Kaspersky now warns that what looks to users like downloaded film torrents - for instance, The Odyssey - now hide malware, with a recent case that hit victims in countries across Europe, Russia, Japan, and even Uganda in Africa.

Kaspersky's global research and analysis team discovered a malware strain distributed through torrent trackers, disguised as popular films, including The Odyssey. 

According to Kaspersky, a popular public archive of torrent files was compromised and then used to recently deliver a malicious payload - one that got downloaded by several hundred victims.

These victims downloaded what they thought was a torrent of The Odyssey since mid-August, and affected people and businesses from Russia, Türkiye, Japan, Kenya and Uganda, to Colombia, and several European countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Since people download torrents at work, they have infected organisations ranging from companies in the enterprise, IT and consulting sectors, to governments, retail, transportation, and agriculture industries.

Kaspersky explains that the malware used a loader capable of detecting antivirus sandboxes.

Quite strikingly, the malware has the ability to determine whether it is being analysed and, if so, evade detection or hinder further investigation. 

"Once active on a victim's device, the malware deploys additional modules that expand its capabilities," Kaspersky says.

"These modules allow it to establish persistence, so it remains on the system after a reboot even after it has been terminated, bypass User Account Control (UAC) to gain administrator privileges in Windows without triggering the usual warning prompt and ultimately provide the attackers with remote access to the compromised machine."

Konstantin Isakov, a Kaspersky security expert, says "The campaign is notable for combining a common lure with a sophisticated technical design".

"By disguising malware as torrents for popular films, the attackers increase the likelihood that unsuspecting users will download it."

"Once launched, the multi-stage malware is designed to evade detection, establish persistence, and provide the attackers with remote access to infected devices. Users should be especially cautious with files downloaded from unofficial sources, as even seemingly harmless entertainment content can serve as a vehicle for compromise."

People's Planet Shutters After 16 Years as 'We Ran out of Shelf Space', Content Catalogue Remains Available for International Sales

by Thinus Ferreira

The People's Planet channel, which launched as People's Weather in 2010, has gone dark after 16 years.

People's Planet disappeared from eMedia's Openview at the end of August, after MultiChoice dropped it in March 2024. The channel's content catalogue however remains available for international distribution.

People's Planet ceased broadcasting altogether at the end of August 2026.

Stephan le Roux, People's Planet channel head, says the channel didn't shutter due to a lack of audience but because "dedicated wildlife and environmental content has no reliable home on South African and African platforms".

"Over 16 years on air, People's Planet built something rare in South African broadcasting: a loyal, committed audience for wildlife, conservation and environmental storytelling. That audience did not go away," he says.

"What was missing was platform commitment. Environmental and natural-history content in this market is treated as filler rather than as a category worth investing in, and a channel built entirely around it has nowhere to absorb that pressure."

"There is a real and committed audience in this country for stories about the natural world, and we saw it every week for 16 years."

"What there isn't, is a platform environment willing to back that content for the long term. We didn't run out of viewers or ideas. We ran out of shelf space."

According to Stephan le Roux, from 2020, roughly 95% of People's Planet's content was locally produced, something that "came at a real cost in a market where imported content is cheaper and easier to schedule".

The content catalogue of People's Weather remains available for international distribution.

City Beasts and Family in the Wild are out for international distribution with ORF-Enterprise in Austria.

Snake Season, presented by Durban snake rescuer Nick Evans, has three seasons running on Sky Germany, with season 3 having aired on EarthX and the first two seasons on Curiosity Stream. 

Monkey Helpline and Snake Season are licensed to Big Media for Eastern Europe, with the snake series dubbed into German and Russian.

"There are South African stories, told by South African filmmakers, playing to audiences across Europe and the United States," said Julie Laurenz of Film Mamba, the production house behind Apex Alley, Snake Season and Monkey Helpline. "The international market values this work. That's what makes the position at home so difficult to accept."

Stephan le Roux says "People's Planet extends its thanks to its viewers, to the production partners and independent filmmakers who built its catalogue, and to the journalists, producers and crew whose work defined it".

"While this chapter of People's Planet has come to an end, the need for a dedicated home for wildlife, conservation and environmental storytelling in South Africa has not. The audience is there. The stories are there. The talent is there. What is still needed is a platform willing to give this content the space, investment and long-term commitment it deserves."

"The need for this storytelling isn't going away. This may be the end of People's Planet in its current form, but we haven't given up on what we set out to build."

"South African wildlife and environmental stories deserve a platform and an audience at home, and we still believe there is a future for that."

Raffaele Annecchino, Former Paramount International President and CEO, passes away aged 55

by Fathima Beckmann

Raffaele Annecchino, a transformative figure in the global media industry and former president and CEO of Paramount International, has passed away suddenly at the age of 55.

Over more than 25 years at Paramount/ViacomCBS, Annecchino rose from an early commercial role in Madrid to oversee the company's international operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

As CEO of Paramount International, he played a central role in the company's transition from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms, driving the international rollout of Paramount+, supporting the expansion of Pluto TV and helping create SkyShowtime, the joint venture between Paramount and Comcast.

Africa was an important part of Annecchino's leadership. He championed Viacom's African business and brands, including MTV, MTV Base, BET, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central, and was a strong advocate for local audiences, talent and the growth of the continent's media industry. 

He also worked closely with MultiChoice as a key strategic partner.

After leaving Paramount, Annecchino founded Blue Ocean Media Partners, a global consultancy focused on innovation, transformation and strategic growth.

TRIBUTES FROM AFRICA

Alex Okosi, former EVP, BET International and Paramount Africa

"Raffaele was a deeply valued colleague and a dear friend."

"Having worked alongside him through years of international growth and transformation, I saw firsthand his rare ability to combine sharp commercial instinct and strategic vision with genuine warmth, humanity and optimism."

"He built lasting trust, inspired those around him to think bigger and always made time to uplift people. His impact on the global media industry is undeniable, but for those fortunate enough to have known and worked with him, his warmth, generosity and spirit will be just as enduring."

"He will be deeply missed. We continue his legacy."

Fathima Beckmann, former SVP, Global Inclusion, Paramount International

"Raffaele had a profound impact on my career and on me personally. He saw potential in people and championed their growth."

"Through the support and belief of both Raffaele and Marva Smalls, I had the opportunity to serve on his executive team and relocate from South Africa to Madrid."

"It was an honour to work alongside him at Paramount and later again as he built and globally launched Blue Ocean Media Partners."

"Raffaele was an extraordinary leader, visionary and ambitious, yet deeply human, generous with his encouragement and always willing to share his wisdom. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Monde Twala, former SVP, BET International and Paramount Africa

"Shocking and heartbreaking news. Raffa was an amazing leader and mentor to me and many of us in Africa."

"He was always supportive and helpful in elevating the business and particularly African culture and youth entertainment. He touched and changed many lives around the world."

"I'm forever grateful for his leadership and dedication. He encouraged excellence and accountability in me personally. Rest easy Raffa. Siyabonga."

Craig Paterson, former SVP, Paramount Africa

"Raffaele was one of those rare people who lit up every room. His energy, warmth and belief in people inspired us all. He was always in our corner, championing Africa’s growth, and his presence will be deeply missed."

Bada Akintunde-Johnson, former country manager, Paramount Africa, Nigeria

"As country manager leading the ViacomCBS/Paramount business in Nigeria, I experienced first-hand the impact of Raffaele's leadership."

"He guided the EMEA business through an extraordinarily difficult period, particularly during Covid, with exemplary leadership, empathy and humanity."

"What I will especially remember was his genuine interest in Africa and the way he made those of us in the region's executive leadership feel that our business, our people and our contributions truly mattered within the broader organisation."

"My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may the impact of his leadership and the many lives he touched remain an enduring legacy."

Solafunmi Oyeneye, former senior channels manager, MTV Base, Nigeria

"Raffaele was one of those leaders whose presence was genuinely felt. He had a deep love for Africa and carried that with him."

"Whenever he came to Africa, there was always such warmth around him, and he was someone so many of us admired and were genuinely very fond of."

"It is incredibly sad to hear that he is gone. To his family, I hope you know that Raffaele touched lives far beyond those who worked closely with him."

"Even those of us several layers removed from him remember him with enormous warmth and affection. He was deeply respected, genuinely loved, and will be very fondly remembered."

"May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace."

(Published as received)

No Apple TV Price Increase for South Africa, This Time, Like in the US

by Thinus Ferreira

Apple is not doing its latest price increase for Apple TV for South Africa, the company confirmed to TVwithThinus.

Last week Apple announced that it is once again hiking the monthly subscription fee for its streaming service, to $14.99 per month.

The last time Apple TV, then still known and branded as Apple TV+, increased its price in South Africa was in October 2022.

Then, Apple TV increased its monthly subscription fee by a whopping 47% immediately to R124.99 per month, following a $2 price hike in the United States, which was then applied to South Africa as well.

This time the latest price hike in the United States, won't immediately result in a price hike for South African consumers.

Apple tells TVwithThinus in response to a media query "that there is no price increase in South Africa and prices will stay the same".

It means that an Apple TV subscription in South Africa will continue at R124.99 per month, or R1 249 per year on the annual plan.

Fired eNCA Reporter Heidi Giokos Resurfaces at SABC News as Weekend The Fullview Presenter

by Thinus Ferreira

After Heidi Giokos was fired by eNCA (DStv 403), the reporter is resurfacing at SABC News (DStv 404), where she will now be a presenter of the weekend edition of The Fullview.

eMedia's eNCA dismissed Heidi Giokos in July after she appeared in a cars.co.za commercial opposite Carl da Coza, in which she appeared as a TV reporter. Heidi Giokos joined eNCA in 2017.

According to insiders, Heidi Giokos allegedly failed to get proper permission and approval to appear in the cars.co.za commercial.

Heidi Giokos is the younger sister of CNN anchor and reporter Eleni Giokos.

Deidre Uren, SABC News boss, in a statement, says "We are delighted to welcome Heidi Giokos to the SABC family".

"Her extensive experience, professionalism and commitment to impactful storytelling align strongly with our mandate of informing, educating and empowering South Africans. We look forward to the contribution she will make across our news platforms."

The public broadcaster says it "looks forward to her continued contribution to South African journalism and public broadcasting".

Land of Mills & Money As Yet Another New e.tv Telenovela Starts - As You Can Rightly Wonder What Happened to e.tv Trying to Get the Press' Attention

by Thinus Ferreira

Yet another new telenovela is being rolled out this evening on e.tv, but the days of e.tv publicity actually properly engaging journalists and reaching out proactively to various media in trying to cover e.tv programming like this show, is apparently over.

For The Land of Mills & Money, I was emailed a trailer on 13 August. That's it.

Maybe there were more. I don't know.

As a journalist I can't know what I don't know (and unfortunately, yet again) there was nobody from e.tv who bothered to reach out to hear, or check, or have any kind of interaction or communication before the Grounded Productions show starts tonight on e.tv, with executive producers Thomas Gumede and Khanyi Nxumalo.

It used to be that e.tv's PR department knew journalists' faces, met them, engaged with them regularly, built real-world relationships with them over time, invited media from across South Africa when new soaps, telenovelas and drama series were starting, did upfront presentations, sent screener episodes, held media educationals, emailed weekly and monthly programming schedules, and invited media to episode recordings and set visits.

Now e.tv is apparently down to mass mailer emails, and you're lucky if you get it (unless it doesn't even reach you because of some bounce-back you don't even know about).

Similar to what I consider to be a very low-level start of both eGagasini from Stained Glass TV and The Four of Us from Tshedza Pictures, The Land of Mills & Money arrives this evening, in my opinion, with a seemingly very "blegh"-attitude from e.tv of basically "whatever".

The start of new primetime, local shows - soaps and telenovelas used to be a "thing" for e.tv.

Similarly, it was as important for e.tv to get buy-in from media across the country (since viewers are from across the country) for its shows as a national TV channel. Apparently not so anymore. 

After e.tv's cancellation and TV cupboard scrubbing of Scandal!, House of Zwide and Kelders van Geheime, I've been waiting to see the effort that e.tv would put into trying to promote and publicise the blocks of its new local primetime line-up.

Especially given the fact that everything familiar vanished in one go, to be replaced wholesale as a new block on e.tv's primetime line-up.

But what a disappointment. 

After these well-known shows got culled by e.tv executives, all together and were replaced by stuff nobody knows, since they're brand-new, you'd think (correctly) that these new shows and programming need as much oxygen from the media covering television and film in the country as they can possibly grab. 

Instead, it appears that e.tv's attempt the past few months with eGagasini, The Four of Us and now with The Land of Mills & Money has been lacklustre, inept and a far cry from what e.tv used to do. 

While traditional linear TV (in South Africa as well!) is under threat, broadcasters like the SABC, e.tv, M-Net and Mzansi Magic shouldn't shrink away and do less while streamers, other platforms and American broadcasters invade, but fight even harder and level up in the time and attention game when it comes to media covering their content.

Alas, it appears as if e.tv has forgotten how to fight, has failed to adapt, has lost institutional programming publicity memory, is just not willing to do the basics of what is required in 2026 to get the press' attention in the way it used to - or, quite likely, all of the above.

Where were the set tour and visits for national media for eGagasini, The Four of Us or The Land of Mills & Honey like what e.tv did in previous years for other shows? Or is this a thing of the past? Is it now just influencers?

Where are the emails that are supposed to fill the inboxes of journalists, asking: Do you want to maybe interview a Helga Palmer or a Marlon Davids or a Vuyelwa Booi about programming strategy, or the latest content or a specific show? Or pitches about reporting about eVOD? About Openview?

What is now happening, or no longer happening, when it comes to new shows starting on e.tv, and who communicates how things are now done or not done?

Why is nobody calling, messaging, WhatsApping or emailing in the weeks before a new local show starts, to ask "Do you want to speak so and so?", "What stories and interviews and coverage are you interested in doing?", "Here's what we're planning for this new show and this is when this and this and this will happen"? 

There's none of that. 

While international broadcasters, studios and production companies are falling over each other to reach ouot to South Africa's press covering TV to offer Zooms and Teams press junkets, with virtual roundtable interviews ahead of new shows with producers, writers and cast members all eager to speak, a broadcaster like e.tv has fallen very far behind and basically out of the attention and traction game.

It costs nothing, yet e.tv couldn't bother to set up a Zoom with the media not based in Johannesburg and not invited to whatever, to do interviews and roundtable engagements with producers, cast or crew of For Land of Mills & Money.

Neither did it happen for the other shows e.tv launched this year to anchor its new primetime.

It doesn't cost anything but time and intent, but e.tv hasn't bothered with a Zoom since Covid. Perhaps nobody knows that this is now what is being done as just one, but yet another integral part of promoting and publicising your TV show.

My inbox is full of emailed digital screeners for upcoming content - from both local South African shows, as well as international series, documentaries and films. All of these email links implore: "Watch me! See me! Review me! Write about me!"

But e.tv? Nothing. 

Nobody bothered to ask "Do you maybe want to see the first episode of The Land of Mills & Money?", "If you've watched it, are there people you might want to interview?" "If you've watched it, what did you think of it?"

Whether viewers will connect with The Land of Mills & Money on e.tv, nobody knows, but in my opinion, e.tv has again dropped the ball in mounting even a semblance of properly trying to get press for it in all the right ways that would matter and result in an actual return on investment in publicity effort.

Perhaps it's a sign of the times. 

Perhaps influencers are now what matter more than the actual reporting and coverage of TV shows. 

Perhaps just muddling on and no longer bothering with TV critics and media and journalists who do real and proper coverage of television is just the lazy pivot that fits into a new and neat lazy era of reels and mass mailer email blasts that's supposed to count as (and replaced real) "media engagement". 

It's just sad to me that e.tv seems to no longer care like it used to.

I was there and remembered and covered it when e.tv launched big tentpoles like Backstage, Scandal!, Rhythm City, Ashes to Ashes and others over the past decades, with publicists who called, who emailed with tailored suggestions and stories. Who engaged.

Now, something like The Land of Mills & Money starts on e.tv, in a primetime slot, will likely run at least 200 or 260 episodes as a multi-million rand production and investment looking to get ratings, and what you get is one email (if you're lucky).

Like, in The Mask, when Jim Carrey's Stanley is frantically trying to get his doggie Milo to reach the jail window, he gets impatient with the dog's smaller hops.

In a similar way, you feel like you want to shout: "Come on, Milo, put some effort into it!"

eMedia's Openview Dumps People's Planet After 6 Years, Replaces it from September with In-house Packaged eXplore Channel

by Thinus Ferreira

eMedia's Openview free-to-air satellite service has decided to dump People's Planet and to replace it from 1 September 2026 with an in-house channel in the form of a self-packaged channel it calls eXplore.

e.tv gave no reason for dumping People's Planet on Openview channel 115. 

People's Planet was originally called People's Weather when it was added to Openview in November 2020. The channel rebranded in mid-2024 to People's Planet.

Two years ago with the rebrand, People's Planet CEO Stephan le Roux said People's Planet decided to "partner exclusively with Openview, owned by the eMedia group as it is a rapidly growing platform that shares the vision for sustainability and growth, making it the perfect partner to help us reach and inspire a broader audience".

Now, by September 2026 there's not a word from People's Planet or Openview about what failed in its "exclusive partnership" as People's Planet is replaced by eXplore.

According to e.tv "eXplore will replace People's Planet and offer a broader mix of real-world stories based on the premise that our everyday world is stranger than we imagine".

"The programming moves between the natural world, life-or-death stories of survival and the darker side of human behaviour. Viewers can expect wildlife and conservation titles alongside documentaries, real-life mysteries and true-crime investigations."

e.tv notes that "Adding eXplore reflects Openview’s continued focus on bringing greater variety to viewers. The launch-day evening line-up begins with wildlife and conservation titles before moving into true crime and investigations of real events."

"It includes Cheetah Diaries at 18:00, Chameleons of the World at 18:25, Kalahari Meerkats at 19:20, Endangered with Michaela Strachan at 19:45, Evil Unmasked: The Station Strangler at 20:10 and A Mother's Madness at 21:00."