Friday, April 25, 2025

Newzroom Afrika removes Aldrin Sampear after alleged road rage assault


by Thinus Ferreira

The South African TV news channel Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) has removed Aldrin Sampear after an alleged road rage assault.

The belligerent Aldrin Sampear was caught on video camera footage, shared widely on social media, in an alleged road rage incident that took place on Thursday, 17 April in Randburg, Johannesburg.


The 20-year-old Laricia Augusto was involved in a collision on Jan Smuts Avenue between the vehicle she was driving and the vehicle of Aldrin Sampear.

According to Laricia Augusto, Aldrin Sampear "practically glued himself to my bumper, hooting aggressively. I had no idea what his issue was, but to avoid any drama, I moved back into the left lane to let him pass. That’s when things turned nasty."

According to her, Aldrin Sampear then abruptly swerved in front of her car, after which both stopped and the incident caught on video followed.

Laricia Augusto laid charges. I her video she can he heard saying "Why are you hitting me?"

Aldrin Sampear told The Citizen newspaper that "I'm horrified to see an edited version of the video because I actually went to my car to go fetch my phone and license to share with the driver".

Aldrin Sampear said "At no point did I assault the driver. We have exchanged details. I have reported the matter to the police, and my legal team will deal with this factually and honestly."

Five years ago Aldrin Sampear admitted that he had assaulted women before when he was provoked.

In a statement that Newzroom Afrika only released on social media platforms, the TV news channel said "Newzroom Afrika is aware of an incident involving anchor Aldrin Sampear last week".

"Aldrin Sampear will take a break from his broadcast duties with immediate effect, pending an internal review of the matter. Newzroom Afrika takes the allegations very seriously and we will work swiftly to address the concerns raised."

Newzroom Afrika, through its PR agency Rapid Innovation Group, was asked on Friday why its statement about removing Aldrin Sampear and investigating the incident, was only shared on social media and why the press statement wasn't sent to media. 

The response will be added here when received from Rapid Innovation Group.

Cash-strapped SABC misses TV audience targets, no better off after bailout


by Thinus Ferreira

The struggling South African public broadcaster failed to reach its own ratings targets for its TV channels, with the Auditor-General (AG) noting that despite a government bailout of R3.2 billion in 2019, there has been no real financial improvement at the cash-strapped SABC.

The SABC set audience share targets for 2023/24 during prime time viewing of 22% for SABC1, 6% for SABC2 and 3% for SABC3 - yet only managed a viewership share of 18.8% for SABC1, 4.1% for SABC2, and a paltry 1.5% for SABC3. 

The SABC's big broadcasting sword of Damocles is its massive ballooning debt of just under R1 billion owed to the parastatal signal distributor Sentech, with this debt also adding interest.

South Africa's Auditor-General (AG) office briefed parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) about the SABC on Tuesday, noting the various targets the SABC failed to achieve during its 2023/24 financial year.

As the SABC's TV viewership slides, so does the advertising income it manages to get as it battles the rise of streamers like Netflix and Disney+, alongside rivals like pay-TV operator MultiChoice, eMedia's e.tv and Openview, and YouTube.

"Obviously the more top-rated programmes you are showcasing, means you're attracting the viewers to come watch you're shows - the higher the viewership, it has a direct correlation to the advertising," auditor Nathan Lawnet told Scopa.

He said the SABC needs sufficient cash to purchase "the right content".

The technically insolvent SABC also failed in its capital expenditure project on an operational news production system, didn't complete implementation of a new scheduling system, and didn't complete the number of SABC websites (16) and SABC mobile applications (16) is set targets for.

One of these relates to the online streaming of the various SABC radio stations.

"The SABC in 2019 did receive a R3.2 billion bailout which was tied to a 3-year turnaround plan. Despite the turnaround plan, we haven't seen a significant improvement in the financial position of the SABC," Lawnet said.

According to the AG, the cost of the SABC's public mandate keeps increasing as it runs the SABC News channel and other news services, coupled with increasing costs for TV sports rights, as well as mandated programming in prime time with no government funding.

Then there is the annual SABC TV Licence fee as an outdated revenue source not keeping up with changes in the broadcasting industry.

"The fact is that the SABC is not yet out of its position that it finds itself in, depends on government and is not financially sustainable - the debt is continuing to grow that the SABC owes," he explained.

The AG's office mentioned that the SABC should "maximise" their digital platforms.

"They've launched the SABC+ app and should ensure that they grow the viewership from that point of view to appeal to a larger market."

On SABC TV Licence fees, the broadcaster continues to expect to get around R687 million from this annual income stream - although very few TV households still bother to pay this.

The SABC is actually supposed to make R4 billion from this if the rest of the 86% of non-payers contributed.

"Dealing with this matter and finding other innovative ways of sourcing the funding that help the SABC so that they can still deliver on their mandate, is a key matter that the SABC needs to look into," he said.

"They need another strategy to collect the money due to them," Lawnet noted. 

"If you don't have the cash and the ability to buy the content and also to attract new viewership, sustainability in future will remain a challenge."

While the SABC nets R687 million in SABC TV Licences "the potential amount they can actually bill should technically be R4 billion. But if you look at the last few years, the R700 million is what they are recovering and what is being paid by the public."

"It's nowhere enough to sustain what the SABC actually needs in order to do what's required of them."

Darren Scott says cancer battle 'is rough' as he continues to do radio to pay medical bills


Thinus Ferreira

The radio presenter and former TV presenter Darren Scott who returned to South Africa last year to work for money to pay for treatment after he was diagnosed with cancer yet again, says "it's rough" and that he's been living alone working on radio just to pay his medical bills.

The 61-year-old - who presented on Capital radio, 702, M-Net, SuperSport, 5FM, East Coast Radio, Jacaranda 94.2 and Hot 91.9FM where he is currently heard on Sundays - didn't have medical aid cover when he came back to South Africa last year two years after he had emigrated.

Darren Scott has had several bouts with cancer since 1986 and is currently undergoing immunotherapy, with a BackaBuddy campaign that his ex-wife Sarah-Kate Accetta started last year to try and help raise funds for his cancer treatment.

"It's not my first rodeo," Scott said on Tuesday night, speaking in English in a late-night interview on the Afrikaans talk show Laataand met Rian on kykNET (DStv 144).

About his latest cancer, he explained "This is a bit of a different story".

"Normally, when I have had cancers, I've had them cut out by my various doctors and oncologists."

He was first diagnosed in 1986 with melanoma that he blames on the sun, noting, "Absolutely it caused it. With me, [and] a friend of mine who died a year later of exactly the same thing - Liam Flanningan"

"The last one was inside my aorta, heart. The doctor got it out. I've never had chemo, never had radiation and just carried on with my life. I've never let it sit on my mind, never let it weigh on me - just carried on with life."

About his latest cancer scare, he said "When this one happened, I was in the USA".

Opening up about his previous cancer battles, he explained that "You get a very aggressive cancer called a nodular. The one on my chin was a nodular. This was a big one, it was very aggressive. You basically get told you have a 30% chance of making it five years".

"So I had another one on my back in 2022 and I knew it immediately because I was driving one day ... blood on the floor. Go to my doctor, takes it out, comes back and you know the doctor's message: 'I'm so sorry,' and you know that it's bad."

"And that was a nodular. I had it taken out, I went for a scan after taking it out to see if it's spread or if it's still anywhere and the doctor said the scan is clear."

I went overseas and three months into my trip there, there was a lump under my right arm and I knew immediately in 2023 I wasn't clear. I found a lump which was a secondary to that one on my back.


Expensive cancer cost
Darren Scott revealed that his cancer cost is R160 000 per immunotherapy treatment, every six weeks.

"They've reduced mine to every three weeks which is R80 000 which comes to the same difference," he said.

"I've never been the kind of person who said 'I'm not going to make it but what scared me is when the doctor told me that 'You need to get this treatment as soon as possible otherwise you're going to suffocate to death'. And I said 'What kind of time you're talking about?' And he said you've got to get this stuff in a couple of weeks."

"And its R80 000. Where am I just suddenly fork that out?"

Scott said "Doctors - and when it comes to cancer - the first thing is always the fear that puts into people. You'll do whatever they say - 'Okay you need to go on chemo and radiation'. The very first guy told me that - you need to go on chemo and radiation."

"I was a young 22-year-old. I just started a TV career, I've just been given a job at M-Net. I had a radio career that was going strong. I basically said 'eff you'. I didn't want to do it. I said I'll take my chances."

He explained that he didn't want to do chemotherapy because "I've seen my grandmother on chemo. I've seen Liam Flannigan - I've seen what happened to him on chemo. I just don't want to go out that way. Those two alone."


Living alone, doing radio to pay cancer bills
On why he's back in South Africa, Darren Scott said "I returned to work so I can earn money to carry on with the treatment", while his two boys remain in the United States.

"My ex-wife has been amazing. The boys love it there. They are so happy. They are thriving in that environment. 

"It's rough at the moment. It really is. It kinda hits you. It's hard because my family's away and that hits me every day. My two boys and my dad - thousands of miles away."

I live alone here now and I work radio to cover bills," he remarked.

"The radio station has been good in certain ways but they've also said 'Listen, we can't keep you on air if you can't speak properly and that is also for me - having pride and having done radio so long - not being able to speak properly is like 'wow'. It's hard. So there's a lot going on."

"I'm not an emotional person but I have been very the last few weeks. I take it day by day, trying to be strong. I hate asking for money," he said.

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Kew Productions sues SABC over unpaid contract for Afrikaans travelogue series Voetspore


by Thinus Ferreira

Kew Productions has dragged the South African public broadcaster to court, filing papers last week over the SABC's unpaid debt as part of a R10 million contract that the production company says the SABC owes it for the Afrikaans travelogue series Voetspore on SABC2.

Voetspore, fronted by Johan Badenhorst as expedition leader who is also executive producer, is currently in its 14th and what is likely its very last season on SABC2, with Kew Productions that dragged the SABC to court last week over the unpaid part of a R10 million contract that the broadcaster has failed to pay for seasons 12, 13 and 14 of the show.

Kew Productions filed its case in the Johannesburg High Court last week Tuesday on 15 April after the SABC failed to respond to written demands for payment for the Voetspore episodes delivered for broadcast.

According to Kew Productions, the SABC started to ignore the production company's invoices for outstanding payments and letter of demand.

"In March this year we gave written notice to the SABC of the breach of contract and demanded that it remedy this within 14 days of receipt of the written notice," Kew Productions states in the court papers.

It is the latest production making content for the SABC that says it struggles to get paid by the broadcaster.

It follows production companies making Generations on SABC1 like MMSV Productions, Word of Mouth Pictures producing Muvhango on SABC2, and Peu Communications producing Skeem Saam for SABC1 that haven't been paid since February.

The last time Kew Productions was paid by the SABC was in December 2024 with an amount of R663 344.

The SABC was supposed to pay Kew Productions R578 345 since January 2025. Between December 2023 and September 2024, the SABC paid Kew Productions the amount of R818 064 four times. 

The SABC has been asked for comment about Kew Productions suing the broadcaster to get paid what it is owed, as well as why the SABC stopped making making payments to the production company. The SABC's response will be added here when received.

UPDATE Friday 25 April 2025 13:35: The SABC in response to a media query, says "The SABC can confirm that the matter is before the courts and therefore we are unable to comment further".

Calls for cancellation of Moja Love's abusive Isencane Lengane as viewers make BCCSA complaints over domestic violence while channel offers 'psychological support' to Thando


by Thinus Ferreira

Organisations and DStv subscribers are calling for the cancellation of the abusive reality show Isencane Lengane on Moja Love (DStv 157) with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) that received complaints about the controversial programme.

Moja Love on Wednesday said it "continues to offer psychological support" to the one female participant, Thando, in the show.

Isencane Lengane follows the turbulent lives of the young Siyacela Dlamuka (22) and Thando Msomi (21) who got married as teenagers in KwaZulu-Natal at 16 and 15.

Isencane Lengane sparked outrage when Moja Love in 2023 broadcast an episode showing a violent domestic abuse incident. 

The show once again caused outrage with an April episode, showing extremely abusive behaviour on DStv when Siyacela was shown to threaten Thando with physical violence and said he would hit her with a sjambok, while verbally insulting her.

He told Thando he wants a second wife and will get a second wife without her consent.

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) told TVwithThinus on Wednesday that it had "received several complaints which we were able to refer to MultiChoice for a response".

The BCCSA said that the majority of complaints over Isencane Lengane however "did not fit our criteria".

MultiChoice told TVwithThinus in response to a media query "We understand the concerns regarding the content broadcast on third-party channel, Moja Love".

"MultiChoice does not condone violence in any form. As a broadcaster, we do not have editorial control over Moja Love's programming nor do we endorse any specific viewpoints they may present, we will ascertain that this matter is escalated to the channel."

On Wednesday, Moja Love said that the TV channel "has been inundated with media queries, including various views expressed on social media, relating to an episode of Isencane Lengane, currently on season 7, which broadcast on Sunday 20 April 2025".

"It is important to note that the show is a reality show which reflects, explores and raises awareness and contributes to the discourse on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and societal ills."

Nonzwakazi Cekete, Moja Love spokesperson, said that "Whilst the episode aired on Sunday 20 April 2025 is upsetting to some viewers, which the channel takes note of and does not take lightly, it does not incite or promote GBV".

"The opposite, however, is true in that the impugned episode explores misogyny and deep-rooted views of one of the main cast relating to polygamy albeit ill-advised. The channel has and continues to offer psychological support to Thando, affected members and has done so in the past and will continue to do so."

The non-profit organisation Women for Change slammed Moja Love and demands that MultiChoice and Moja Love cancel the series.

"For far too long, South Africans have witnessed the devastating impact of gender-based violence and domestic abuse in their communities. Yet the reality TV show on DStv's Moja Love, Isencane Lengane continues to exploit this reality for entertainment value, turning deeply troubling instances of emotional and verbal abuse into content for profit and clicks".

"This is not just irresponsible, it is dangerous."

"By broadcasting such abuse without adequate intervention and accountability, Moja Love is normalising and trivialising gender-based violence, sending the harmful message that abuse is acceptable if it brings in viewers."

"In a country where women and children are raped, beaten, and killed every day, this kind of programming is not only tone-deaf, it is a betrayal of every victim and survivor."

"The show depicts disturbing dynamics, including coercion, manipulation, degradation, and violence, all under the guise of 'reality TV'. What makes this even more horrific is the ongoing failure to protect the young woman featured in the series, who has visibly suffered repeated harm while the cameras continue to roll."

"Abuse is not entertainment. Trauma is not a storyline," says Women for Change. "This kind of exploitation cannot be justified under the guise of cultural representation or entertainment. The right to entertain must never come at the cost of someone's safety, dignity, or humanity".

The organisation demands that Moja Love "discontinue the Isencane Lengane due to its dangerous portrayal of abuse and toxic relationships".

"If Thando wants to leave her abusive marriage, Moja Love and relevant authorities must offer immediate emotional and legal support. The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) must hold Moja Love accountable for violating ethical standards."

"Viewers and advertisers to stand against the exploitation of abuse and demand higher standards from the media they support. We remind South Africa that what we choose to watch, support, and allow to continue reflects the kind of society we are building."

"This is not just about a television show, this is about the systemic failure to protect women in South Africa, on and off screen."

The South African Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) organisation also slams Moja Love for Isencane Lengane for what it calls "dangerous" television.

"Media platforms have a moral and social responsibility to promote content that upholds the dignity, safety, and rights of individuals."

"Broadcasting acts of domestic abuse or violence in any form - whether under the guise of reality TV or entertainment - is a gross violation of this responsibility."

"It sends a dangerous message that violence can be exploited for public spectacle. Editorial standards and programming choices must be reviewed for any content that trivialises acts of gender-based violence and abuse against women."

Why South Africa's public TV ratings have been ripped away


by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's official television ratings have been ripped away from public view and scrutiny, with TV viewership figures no longer being published since 2025 - a decision that industry insiders are slamming as a big step backwards.

The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA) industry body with Gary Whitaker as CEO, has decided to stop the publication of its truncated monthly TV ratings tally of the viewership of SABC1, SABC2, SABC3, eMedia's e.tv and MultiChoice's DStv.

South Africa's Television Audience Measurement Survey (TAMS) panel remains - the viewers' panel used to determine the country's overnight ratings - as does TV viewership measurement done by companies like Nielsen in the South African market.

However, none of the TV ratings that used to be posted publicly for over a decade - initially weekly and later only monthly - are posted on the BRCSA's website anymore. 

Over years, the information gave the general public, the media, viewers, advertisers, broadcasters, academics, as well as the broader South African film and TV industry, general insight into South Africa's top performing TV shows, the flow and change in viewership patterns, and well as what people are watching in terms of numbers and audience share.

Only people and companies like ad buyers and broadcasters who subscribe and pay thousands of rand per month now get access to ratings data. 

TV ratings reports and viewership data published between 2015 and late-2024 remain available on the BRCSA website as archived data.

In comparative TV markets to South Africa, the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (Barb) in the United Kingdom continues to publish TV ratings data weekly without any problem, as does Australia, New Zealand, and the United States where anyone who wants, can instantly see what is being watched and by how many people.

"It is disappointing. I think the media and public should be able to see our TV and broadcasters' ratings and numbers," a veteran ad executive and media buyer told TVwithThinus who accesses South Africa's TV ratings through a subscription service anyway but laments that the BRCSA stopped making the digest monthly ratings publicly available.

Another veteran TV insider said: "Any semblance of transparency is gone and it's impossible for the general public to know what's true when it comes to TV viewership in South Africa".

A veteran academic and university lecturer in TV and film, also slammed the decision, saying the BRCSA's axing of publishing South Africa's TV ratings "is a huge loss to South African scholarship on the local audio-visual industry".

"South African researchers based at public tertiary institutions, and especially postgraduate students, cannot afford to pay the same rates as advertising and marketing companies for the simplified statistics."

"Information about the viewership popularity of a local soap opera, telenovela, or even the evening news broadcast, is extremely important in longitudinal and other qualitative and quantitative research studies, where one can draw conclusions about audience preferences, in terms of storylines, character depictions (e.g stereotypical representations of specific groupings) and other wide-ranging questions."

"This is also a blow to the public broadcaster and the public who has a right to know how the SABC's programmes and content are received and watched and by how many people." 


TV ratings removed
The BRCSA, established a decade ago in 2015 out of the  South African Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) that until then published ratings, tells TVwithThinus it decided to no longer publish summarised monthly South African ratings information in order to uphold the "credibility" of the audience measurement system.

The BRCSA board is currently comprised of Monde Twala (Paramount Africa), Melissa McNally (Kagiso Media), Antonio Lee (eMedia Holdings), Fahmeeda Cassim-Surtee (DStv Media Sales) and Ursula Shikhati (SABC Sales) from television, as well as Tracy Stafford, Johan van Rooyen and Alfie Jay representing radio.

In response to a media query, Gary Whitaker said the BRCSA made the decision in December 2024 to stop publishing any further South African TV ratings publicly "after identifying concerns regarding the interpretation and legitimacy of top-performing programme figures".

"Some entities were extracting data in a manner that differed from the BRC's methodology, creating inconsistencies and confusion."

"Given that the BRC has no control over how data is pulled from various industry software providers, the organisation conducted a risk assessment on supplying audience data directly to the market free of charge."

He notes that the BRCSA wants to preserve revenue and membership value.

"Making audience data freely available could undermine the value of BRC membership, leading paying stakeholders such as broadcasters, media agencies, and advertisers to question their financial contribution."

According to him, a decline in paying members could weaken the funding structure and thereby "threatening the long-term sustainability of audience measurement in South Africa".

Gary Whitaker claims that "Public users may extract and interpret data incorrectly, leading to inconsistencies and potential misrepresentation of audience figures. If different users pull data using varying methodologies it could create discrepancies that erode trust in the JIC's measurement system".

Whitaker says the BRCSA also considered "preventing competitive misuse".

"Unrestricted access to audience data could allow competitors both local and international to use the insights strategically without contributing to funding. Some entities might selectively use data without proper context, potentially misrepresenting trends and distorting the market view."

"By limiting public access, the BRCSA aims to uphold the integrity, sustainability, and credibility of the official audience measurement system while ensuring that stakeholders who invest in the currency continue to derive value from it."

Gary Whitaker was also asked why Barb in the United Kingdom and other countries have no problem to continue to make their countries' TV ratings data publicly available and that the move seems to set South Africa back compared to the insight into viewership and ratings data that is available publicly in other countries.

He says "The TAMS ratings in South Africa are accessible through various software providers, ensuring that both the public and industry have access to viewership data. The BRC's priority is to safeguard the sustainability of the currency by maintaining a sound funding model while mitigating risks associated with free data availability".

Asked if there is another way that the BRCSA will make TV ratings data available to the industry and public, or if this is the end of accessible TV ratings for South Africa, Gary Whitaker said "The data is accessible but must be paid for and pulled by the end-user".

Barb in the United Kingdom said it generally doesn't comment on the way other measurement bodies chose to operate but referred TVwithThinus to its third core purpose listed on its website which it said is quite relevant.

On its website, Barb notes that the third of three purposes of its publishing of ratings data and insights fulfil the aim "to inform how broadcasters and other media services operate in the public interest".


Vince Blennies is new NFVF CEO with no film biz background


by Thinus Ferreira

Pastor Vincent Blennies who has no experience in South Africa's film and TV industry, has been appointed as the new CEO of South Africa's troubled National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) after its former CEO, Thobela Mayinje, abruptly quit amidst an investigation into numerous allegations.

Besides Blennies' new NFVF head exec role, Gayton McKenzie, South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture also appointed Vince Blennies as a member of Boxing South Africa's board in November 2024.

Vince Blennies is now the new CEO of the struggling NFVF. 

The agency, funded by department of sport, arts and culture, is supposed to provide funding and help the local film biz in the development, production, marketing and distribution of local content.

South African filmmakers continue to complain that they're not adequately supported by the NFVF which they say claim are wasting money and squandering opportunities through years of mismanagement.

The previous NFVF CEO Thobela Mayinje who was acting in the position for over a year and a half, was placed on "administrative leave" in July 2024 for an "investigation for numerous allegations". The NFVF refused to disclose the nature of these "numerous allegations".

Gayton McKenzie also disbanded the NFVF Council last year which was replaced with new board members.

Asked what happened to Thobela Mayinje, Lerato Mokopanele, NFVF spokesperson, told me that Mayinje "has formally resigned from her position at the NFVF" at the end of 2024.

According to the NFVF, the investigation into the "numerous allegations" against Mayinje therefore "could not be concluded due to Mayinje's resignation".

The NFVF advertised the NFVF CEO position on 20 January 2025 and Vincent Blennies is now the new NFVF CEO since 14 April.

With South Africa's film and TV industry in a dire state, Vince Blennies brings no discernible knowledge or experience about this industry to the NFVF CEO position.

He previously worked at Absa, African Bank, Nedcor, Cell C and Netcare and is also a pastor and described as "a well-known preacher of the word of God", running Jabula Destiny Ministries International in Pretoria.

According to the NFVF, Vince Blennies "brings over 25 years of C-suite leadership experience in the healthcare, telecommunications, and financial services sectors" to the agency.

"He has a proven track record in strategic planning, governance, organisational development, and stakeholder engagement, underpinned by a masters in technology and innovation. His experience also includes serving in public sector and regulatory environments, bringing a strong understanding of governance frameworks, institutional oversight, and stakeholder accountability."

The NFVF says "His appointment ushers in a renewed era of stability and strategic direction".

"We are confident that his leadership will bring the operational focus, governance, and people-centred culture needed to strengthen the NFVF and elevate its impact."

Saudah Hamid, NFVF board chairperson, in a prepared statement notes that "Blennie's extensive executive management experience, with a strong background in organisational leadership, governance, and strategic transformation, managing innovation and transformation in complex sectors, will support the NFVF's efforts to strengthen its impact in an evolving creative industry landscape".

"His ability to foster effective stakeholder engagement will be pivotal in ensuring alignment with key partners, industry players, and governmental bodies, driving the NFVF's mission of sustainability and inclusive growth within the South African film industry."

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Veteran actor Don Mlangeni Nawa dead at 65


by Thinus Ferreira

The South African actor Don Mlangeni Nawa, most famously known for his role as Bra Zeb (Zebedee) Matabane in SABC3's Isidingo, has died. He was 65.

Don Mlangeni Nawa's cause of death is not yet known.

"He was the heart of our family - a loving father, brother and friend," his family said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

"To the world he was a gifted and respected actor whose presence lit up every stage and screen he graced. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the stories he told and the love he gave so freely."

Don Mlangeni Nawa was born in Boksburg in 1959. He initially made his acting career debut in theatre but transitioned to film and television.

Between 1986 and 1993 Don Mlangeni appeared in the iconic South African comedy series S'gudi S'naysi on the SABC's TV2 channel in the role of Laqhasa, then credited as Don Eric Mlangeni.

In the Zuli miniseries Ubambo Lwani he appeared as David in 1989, and followed that up with the character of Zakhe in 1992's TV series Hlala Kwabafleyo and 1995's Cycle Simenon.

In 1998, he made his debut in what was to become his most iconic role however - that of Zeb Matabane in the South African public broadcaster's new multicultural weekday soap, Isidingo, on SABC3.

He stayed with this role for 16 years until he exited in 2014 following a dispute with the production company behind the scenes.

He continued with roles in Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) The Throne in 2018, and returned to the SABC and Isidingo's short-lived replacement, The Estate, on SABC3 in the role of Shadrack Mokobane between 2021 and 2023.

Don Mlangeni Nawa's other TV roles included SABC1's Uzalo as Dhlomo during its first two seasons between 2015 and 2017 and which he initially said would be his last TV role.

But he continued. He appeared in Mzansi Magic's The River as Thato, Diliza in Rockville, as well as appearing as Mfundisi in Abomama, as John in M-Net's (DStv 101) Legacy, Zandisile in the second season of SABC1's Makoti and as Jacob in Paramount Africa's Pound 4 Pound on BET (DStv 129).

In the Netflix South Africa local drama series Soon Comes Night in 2024 Don Mlangeni Nawa appeared as Mandla Shabane, in SABC2's Stokvel he portrayed the character of Laquashe, and in e.tv's uMbali he was Cyril Qongqo.

In Mzansi Magic's first season of Shaka iLembe Don Mlangeni Nawa was King Langa in 2024, and in the channel's drama series The Republic he played Bhambatha.

In the film Losing Lerato of 2019 he appeared as a SWAT commander.

The South African public broadcaster said in a statement the SABC "has learnt with shock of the passing of veteran actor Don Mlangeni Nawa" and "sends its heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends".

South Africa's government minister of arts, culture and sport, Gayton McKenzie, in a statement on Wednesday at 15:40, said "Don Mlangeni was more than just an actor; he was a cultural icon, storyteller and a mirror through which we saw our own struggles, joys, and triumphs".

"A husband and father of five, he was a man of immense talent who started humbly in theatre before rising to national fame."

"I grew up watching a true giant of our television screens, the great Don Mlangeni Nawa. He was a legend in the industry."

"His story is one of perseverance, passion and purpose. He didn't just act, he inspired. He didn't just perform, he transformed. South Africa has lost more than an actor. We've lost a piece of our cultural soul."

"Rest in peace, Don Mlangeni Nawa. You've played your part, and you played it to perfection."

Friday, April 11, 2025

Lawyer backs off from frivolous MultiChoice Nigeria lawsuit after taking DStv to court over Nigeria price hike


by Thinus Ferreira

The Nigerian lawyer Festus Sanmi Onifade has realised you can't sue a company for increasing its prices and has now backtracked on his frivolous lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria after taking the pay-TV company to court, alleging "unfair price hikes".

Festus Sanmi Onifade has suddenly withdrawn his court case against MultiChoice Nigeria in the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria.

Festus Sanmi Onifade gave no reasons for backtracking on his lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria on 1 March 2025. A court notice posted, only states, "Take notice that the claimant hereby wholly discontinues this suit against the defendants".

MultiChoice Nigeria hiked its subscription fees for Nigeria's DStv customers by a whopping 22% from March - the second massive price hike for the West African country in a year.

That led to Festus Sanmi Onifade running to court to make a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria that as a private commercial company, in a so-called free economy country, simply increased its prices given Nigeria's massive inflation, ongoing naira currency devaluation, and worsening economy.

In addition, Nigeria's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), also dragged MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe to court over its latest DStv price hike.