Nominees of 2024's South African Film and Television Awards: The full 18th SAFTAs list.

Thinus Ferreira

The National Film and Video Foundation announced the nominees for the 18th South Africa Film and Television Awards on Thursday morning but with shows like Muvhango and 7de Laan again snubbing it and once again damaging the credibility of this year's awards set to take place on 26 October. 

After the NFVF said that nominees would be announced in August with the awards show taking place in September, the nominees were announced today and the craft awards moved to 25 October on YouTube, with the main awards shown on 26 October on SABC3 and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). 

The NFVF failed to communicate the date changes and to explain the push-out with 347 entries which were received for the 18th SAFTAs and judged by 197 "industry experts" as jury members who the NFVF continues to keep anonymous.

For the 18th SAFTAs the NFVF added five new categories: Best achievement in visual effects, special effects in hair and make-up, as well as best original songs for a telenovela, TV drama and in a feature film. 

The axed animation category since 2013 due to a lack of entries has also been returned to the SAFTAs although South African TV news, programmes and presenters in totality remains locked out.

Here is 2024's complete 18th SAFTAs nominees:

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - DOCUMENTARY

Convict Conman | Schalk Joubert, Idea Candy, Showmax

Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story | Ebenhaezer Smal (Haezer), Mandisi Dyantyis, Orange Films and Star Films, Showmax, M-Net

The Heart of Cape Town | Tim Pringle, Optical Films, Cape Town TV (CTV)

!AITSA | Simon Kohler, MED CINE, Encounters Festival

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - DOCUMENTARY

Boetie Boer - Inside the Mind of a Monster | Izette Mostert, Hilton Henstock, Skye Barrow, Jaco Laubscher, Jenine Lindeque, Amelia Cohen, Fifth Floor Films, Showmax

Born Racer | Gregory Fell, Fell & Company, Showmax, SuperSport

Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story | Ebenhaezer Smal (Haezer), Orange Films and Star Films, Showmax, M-Net, SuperSport

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - DOCUMENTARY

Convict Conman | Charl Fraser, Idea Candy, Showmax

Formidabele Mense: Mangosuthu Buthelezi | Theodor Crouse, Khaki Productions, M-Net/kykNET

Great African Mysteries | Nicholas Chevallier, James Brooke, Clive Morris Productions, History Channel

Net mens | Christian Botha, StraatkatMedia, kykNET

Rosemary's Hitlist | Sims Phakisi, Idea Candy, Showmax

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - DOCUMENTARY

Faces of Fortune | Jessie Zinn, Red Coat Films, Encounters festival

Music Is My Life - Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo | Mpumi "Supa" Mbele, LifeOfJS, SABC1

'n Gids vir Louzanne | Eddie Stanley, Idea Candy, kykNET

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Drummies, Red Coat Films, Fame Week Africa

Call of the Wild, Idea Candy, kykNET

Faces of Fortune, Red Coat Films, Encounters festival

Langafstand, Idea Candy, kykNET

'n Gids vir Louzanne, Idea Candy, kykNET

BEST MADE FOR TV DOCUMENTARY OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES

Boetie Boer - Inside the Mind of a Monster | Fifth Floor Films, Showmax

Convict Conman | Idea Candy, Showmax

Freedom Flyer - The Sailor Malan Story | Slic – Eye, SABC3

Pale Ya Kosa, Full Circle Productions, SABC2

Rosemary's Hitlist | Idea Candy, Showmax

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Beyond the Light Barrier | Towerkop Creations, Amazon Prime Video

Music Is My Life - Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo | LifeOfJS, SABC1

Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, Orange Films and Star Films, Showmax / M-Net, SuperSport

That's What She Said - A Social Inquiry | Yes Girl Productions, Showmax, M-Net

!AITSA | MED CINE, Encounters Festival

BEST CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME

Baking With the Rey's | Rey Music, SABC3

Takalani Sesame | Pulp Films & Sesame Workshop, SABC2

Wandi & Kabz | Storyline Productions, The Disney Channel

BEST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME

Activated - Disability Show | Trace TV, SABC2

Badimo | Mirror Effect Media, SABC2

The Khoekhoe Saga | On Set Images, SABC2

BEST FACTUAL PROGRAMME

Outopsie | 7EVENTY9 Films, VIA

Rebounders, Red Sugar Productions, SABC2

Vimba | Bad Bees Productions, SABC2

BEST COMPETITION REALITY SHOW

Clash of the Choirs S4 | GOAT Originals, Mzansi Magic

Crown Chasers | Weil Entertainment, SABC3

Kokkedoor: Vuur & Vlam | Homebrew Films, kykNET

BEST STRUCTURED SOAPIE REALITY SHOW

Bae Beyond Borders | Media24, Showmax

The Mommy Club | Media24, Showmax

Young, Famous and African S2 | Urban Brew Studios & A Pop Media, Netflix

BEST STRUCTURED OR DOCU-REALITY SHOW

Habits of Gen Z | Idea Candy, M-Net

Reno Race | RHT United T/A RichCon, SABC1

Sex and Pleasure | Idea Candy, Showmax

BEST YOUTH PROGRAMME

100 Days to Succeed | Youngpreneur Media, SABC3

MTV Shuga Down South S3 | Burnt Onion Productions, BET Africa

Trend | Green Planet Productions, kykNET

BEST ONLINE CONTENT

Awkward Dates (ZA) | TD Media, YouTube

Giving it Gears with Jason Goliath | Silver Bullet Films, Redbull TV

The Adventures of Noko Mashaba - Struggles of SA Youth | Rams Comics, YouTube/Facebook

BEST LIFESTYLE PROGRAMME

Die Argitekte | Thank you kindly, Bobby, VIA

Elders: Frankryk |Bonanza Films, kykNET

The Cook-A-Long | Peu Communications, Netflix

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME

Carte Blanche | Combined Artists, M-Net

Checkpoint | eNCA, 

Wie's Nuus? S2 |Media24, kykNET

BEST MADE FOR TV MOVIE

Kind | The Film Factory, kykNET

'n Tyd van Waterpere| Sonvelt Media, M-Net, kykNET

Ouma Olive die ongelooflike | Go2 Content, kykNET

BEST INTERNATIONAL FORMAT

Die Brug | Red Pepper Pictures, kykNET

The Masked Singer SA | Rose and Oaks Media, SABC3

The Perfect Picture S2 | One Thread Productions, e.tv

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME

Koppestamp | Just Ad Production, kykNET

Slim vang sy Baas S8 | Media24, VIA

The Saturday Showdown | Red Pepper Pictures, Mzansi Magic

BEST VARIETY SHOW

One Night With | GOAT Originals, DStv

Sip and Talk | Exit Media, Mzansi Magic

Sport@10 | SABC Sport, SABC1

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV COMEDY

Miseducation | Refentse Munyai, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Roomies | Yonela Nombewu, 32Done Productions, 1Magic

Taktiek | Sulani Saayman, Nagvlug Films, kykNET

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV COMEDY

Entangled S2 | Thembelihle Buthelezi, Burnt Onion Productions, 1Magic

Miseducation | Bryce Bowers, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Roomies | Thembelihle Buthelezi, 32Done Productions, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - TV COMEDY

Miseducation | Janno Muller, Jeanre Greyling, Jonathan Everton, Thapelo Makhubo, Sharon Chimhanda, Greg Canning, Senkhane Montsitsi, Nicholas Mboweni, Samkelo Mahlalela, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Taktiek | Tim Pringle, Melani Robertson, Giles Heesom-Green, Nagvlug Films, kykNET

Yoh! Christmas | Themba Mashinini, Guy Steer, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV COMEDY

Magaeng | Kagiso Malefane, Burnt Onion Productions, Mzansi Magic

Miseducation |Boitumelo Melo Nhlapo, Martha Sibanyoni, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Yoh! Christmas | Susan Steele, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - TV COMEDY

Miseducation | Mmapula Letsoalo, Melanie Golden, Aluta Mlisana, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

uBettina Wethu S3 | Tshenolo Ditlhake, Nyeleti Furumele, Lwahluma Piki, Known Associates Entertainment, SABC1

Yoh! Christmas, Tessa Verfuss, Quinn Lubbe, Miriam Arndt, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING -TV COMEDY

Magda Louw | Desire Gardner, Homebrew Films, kykNET

Miseducation | Oratile Mogoje, Tumi Morake, Brad Katzen, Sunni Faba, Lwazi Mvusi, Mojak Lehoko, Katleho Ramaphakela, Rethabile Ramaphakela, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Yoh! Christmas | Tiffany Barbuzano, Zoleka Monare, Johny Barbuzano, Gillian Breslin, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY -TV COMEDY

Entangled S2 | Thami Magqoki, Burnt Onion Productions, 1Magic

Grown Woman | Nyembezi Ncaba, Red Pepper Pictures, 1Magic

Yoh! Christmas | James Adey, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TV COMEDY

Miseducation | Themba Mfebe, Rea Rangaka, Lwazi Mvusi, Catharine Cooke, Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Taktiek | Beer Adriaanse, Bennie Fourie, Nagvlug Films, kykNET

Yoh! Christmas | Johnny Barbuzano, Lauren Chengan, Sanele Zulu, Zolani Phakade, Chris Beasley, BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV DRAMA

Lioness S2 | Amy Sprawson-Rossouw, Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka Ilembe | Queen Motlatle, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Unseen | Stella Johnson, Gambit Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV DRAMA

Hartklop | Lehasa Molloyi, Quizzical Pictures, kykNET

How to Manifest A Man | Rochelle Selling, Barkers Media, 1Magic

Shaka Ilembe | Shirley Masondo, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV DRAMA

Dam S2 | Sue Steele, Picture Tree, Showmax

Lioness S2 | Jacobus Smit,  Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka Ilembe | Dylan Lloyd, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SPECIAL EFFECTS (SFX) IN HAIR AND MAKE-UP- FILM/TV

Do Your Worst | Nicola Roodt, Ronwyn Jarrett & Cassidy Lombard, Blingola Media, Netflix

Hartklop | Ronwyn Jarrett, Quizzical Pictures, kykNET

Shaka iLembe | Queen Motlatle, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Trompoppie | Jolene Cilliers, Homebrew Films, Showmax

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND - TV DRAMA

Dam S2 | David Oosthuizen, Picture Tree, Showmax

Lioness S2 | Chad Snell, Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka Ilembe | Athanasios Koundouris, Vaughan Phillips, Andries Scholtz, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE - TV DRAMA

Dam S2 | Brendan Jury, Picture Tree, Showmax

Lioness S2 | Brendan Jury, Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka Ilembe | Philip Miller, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG – TV DRAMA

Classified | Zethu Mashika, Diprente, Netflix

Mooiweer en Warm |Pieter Bezuidenhout, Nagvlug Films, kykNET

Shaka Ilembe | Mbuso Khoza, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING - TV DRAMA

Shaka Ilembe | Sibongeleni Mabuyakhulu, Llewellyn Rice, Megan Gill, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Spinners | Matthew Swanepoel, Andrea L. Shaw,  Natives At Large, Showmax

Unseen | Tanja Hagen, Simon Beesley, Aluta Mlisana, Gambit Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS(VFX) – FILM/TV

Dam S2 | Mushroom Media, Picture Tree, Showmax

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Nosipho Maketo van den Bragt, Rob van den Bragt, Tiaan Franken, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Shaka Ilembe | Eugen Olsen, Gerhard Painter, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY - TV DRAMA

Dam S2 | Tom Marais, Picture Tree, Showmax

Lioness S2 | Bradley Devine, Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka Ilembe | Zeno Petersen, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - TV DRAMA

Shaka Ilembe | Thishiwe Ziqubu, Paul Grootboom, Catherine Stewart, Andrew Peterson, Daniel Zimbler, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Spinners | Sean Steinberg, Matthew Jankes, Natives At Large, Showmax

Trompoppie | Etienne Fourie, Homebrew Films, Showmax

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TV DRAMA

Dam S2 | Alex Yazbek, Picture Tree, Showmax

Shaka Ilembe | Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, Adze Ugah, Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Spinners | Jaco Bouwer, Natives at large, Showmax

Unseen | Travis Taute, Rolisizwe Nikiwe, Ntombozuko Matiwana, Gambit Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA

1802-Love Defies Time | Lungelwa Mildred Hela, Hela Media, 1Magic

Binnelanders | Raquel Ogle, Jessica van Kerkhoff, Selwone Cameron Michaels, Stark Films, kykNET

Suidooster | Islyn Salie, Suidooster Films, kykNET

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN WARDROBE - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA

1802-Love Defies Time | Shirley Masondo, Hela Media, 1Magic

House of Zwide | Bevely Mogorosi, Teddy Geldart, Bomb Shelter, e.tv

Outlaws | Maria Hofmeyr, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING –TELENOVELA

My Brother's Keeper  | Patrick Peni, Thungthung Matli, Jeanette Mokobane, Nomzingisi Msezeli, Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Magic

Outlaws | Natalie Varoy, Ebenhaezer Smal, Bongi Malefo, Siwelile Mbanjwa, Nandi Mehlomakulu, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

The River | Ula Oelsen, SC Nhlumayo,  Bongi Malefo,  Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/SCORE – TELENOVELA

1802- Love Defies Time | Modiakgotla Kubu Katile Shole, Hela Media, 1Magic

Isitha | Mandla Ngcongwane, Johnross Jamela Vuma, Black Brain Pictures, e.tv

Outlaws | Brendan Jury, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

The River | Brendan Jury, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG – TELENOVELA

Isitha | Mandla Ngcongwane, Phikeleli (Bongo Riot) Zungu, Black Brain Pictures, e.tv

Redemption | Samukelo Mahlalela, Burnt Onion Productions, Seriti Films, BET Africa

The River | Brendan Jury, Sindi Dlathu, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY – TELENOVELA

1802-Love Defies Time | Sevetian Su Ong Maslamoney, Hela Media, 1Magic

Diepe Waters | Darren Dressels, Kobus Van Wyk, Penguin Films, kykNET

Outlaws | Ntobeko Dlamini, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND – TV SOAP

Binnelanders | Eric McKechnie, Barry Gillot, Stark Films, kykNET

Generations: The Legacy | Louis Morobe, MMVS, SABC1

Suidooster | Lloyd O'Connor, Suidooster Films, kykNET

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND –TELENOVELA

Diepe Waters | Stash Couvaras, Penguin Films, kykNET

Outlaws | Geoff Kock, Clark Fivaz, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

The River | Tladi Mabuya, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION - TV SOAP/TELENOVELA

Outlaws | Waldemar Coetsee, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Suidooster | Pieter Britz, Suidooster Films, kykNET

The River | Amanda Scholtz, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING – TELENOVELA

Isitha | Mandla Ngcongwane, Mpumelelo Nhlapo, Maoto Edward Thaba, Black Brain Pictures, e.tv

Outlaws | Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

The Estate | Bongekile Ndaba, Clive Morris Productions, SABC3

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING - TELENOVELA

Diepe Waters | Gert van Niekerk, Heleni Handt, Penguin Films, kykNET

Outlaws | Tebogo Malope, Thembalethu Mfebe, Nthabi Tau, Menga Nhlabathi, Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

The River | Anne Mashiloane, Sandile Mdluli, Ferry Jele, Zolani Phakade, Krijay Govender, Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING – TV SOAP

Binnelanders | Mitzi Booysen, Marthinus (Tinus) van Antwerp, Anton Swanepoel, Tarina Marais, Monique Nortjé, Lorraine Burger, Ethel Elizabeth Pretorius (Ferreira), Elanie Rupping, Louis Roux, Stark Films, kykNET

Scandal! | Ameera Patel, Sanele Zulu, Grace Mahlaba, Thomas Hall, Nontlantla Simelane, Sebabatso Mofokeng, Yonela Gatyeni, Paul Grootboom, Omphile Molusi, Rosalind Butler; Teresca, Muishond, Themba Mahlangu, Kelly Robinson, Ochre Media, e.tv

Skeem Saam | Khomotjo Aphane, Myrah Molokomme, Metsa Makhwidiri, Joseph Senosi, Kelton Sinyosi, Sibusisiwe Manqele, Siphamandla Madondo, Zola Hlungwani, Peu, SABC1

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – TV SOAP

Generations: The Legacy | Kekeletso Mphuthi, MMVS, SABC1

Skeem Saam | Mmoni Moabi, Percy Maboane, Ricardo Klassen, Peu, SABC1

Suidooster | Romano Gorlei, Ella Catharina Niemand, Shirley Ellis, Richard September, Suidooster Films, kykNET

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP AND HAIRSTYLING - FEATURE FILM

Do Your Worst | Nicola Roodt, Ronwyn Jarrett, Cassidy Lombard, Blingola Media, Netflix

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Theola Booyens, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Love, Sex & 30 Candles | Nthabiseng Senong, Sorele Media, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN – FEATURE FILM

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Marné van der Burgh,  Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Lehasa Molloyi, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Runs in the Family | Gabrielle Zarandah (Gabrielle De Gersigny), Giant Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN – FEATURE FILM

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Jackie Lotz, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Bathoni Robinson, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

The Queenstown Kings | Chantel Lee Carter Production House: Yellowbone Entertainment, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND DESIGN - FEATURE FILM

Blindelings | Tim Pringle, 17 FILMS, kykNE

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Ebenhaezer Smal, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Janno Muller, Jonathan Everton, Jeanre Greyling and Thapelo Makhubo, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Runs in the Family | Paul Theodorou, Giant Films, Netflix

The Queenstown Kings | Guy Steer, Yellowbone Entertainment, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING – FEATURE FILM

Big Nunu's Little Heist | Khulekani Zondi, Diprente, Netflix

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Ebenhaezer Smal, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

Runs in the Family | Eva Du Preez, Giant Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN ORIGINAL MUSIC/ SCORE - FEATURE FILM

Big Nunu's Little Heist | Joel Assaizky, Diprente, Netflix

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Brendan Jury, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Runs in the Family | Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, Giant Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN AN ORIGINAL SONG - FEATURE FILM

1960 | Bruce Retief, Sipumzo Lucwaba, Renewal Productions, DStv

Big Nunu's Little Heist | Zandile Patrick Nyathi, Diprente, Netflix

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Israel Matseke Zulu, Selby Ngozo, Moses Sibeko, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Runs in the Family | Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, Giant Films, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY – FEATURE FILM

Blindelings | Tom Marais, 17 FILMS, kykNET

Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor | Sunel Haasbroek, Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Tom Marais, Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SCRIPTWRITING - FEATURE FILM

Do Your Worst | Zoë Laband, Blingola Media, Netflix

Seconds | Andrico Goosen, Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video

The Fragile King | Tristan Holmes, The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video

BEST STUDENT FILM

Anguish | AFDA

Bewilderness | The Animation School

Boomerang | UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies

By Two | The Animation School

Lights Out! | The Animation School

BEST ANIMATION

Headspace | Luma Animation

Kizazi Moto Generation Fire: Herderboy | Triggerfish Animation Studios, Disney+

Twende | Mind's Eye Creative, Showmax

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP

Marlee van der Merwe (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET

Bianca Amato (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET

Nkhensani Mlondzo (Scandal!) | Ochre Media, e.tv

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV SOAP

Kabelo Thai (Scandal!) | Ochre Media ,e.tv

Clement Maosa (Skeem Saam) | Peu, SABC1

Maruputla Sehlapelo (Skeem Saam) | Peu, SABC1

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA

Lunathi Mampofu (1802 - Love Defies Time) | Hela Media, 1Magic

Hlengiwe Lushaba-Madlala (My Brother's Keeper) | Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Magic

Mmarona Motsegoa (Redemption) | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA

Seputla Sebogodi (Redemption) | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa

Mpho Sebeng (The Estate) | Clive Morris Productions, SABC3

Thembinkosi Mthembu (The River) | Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SOAP

Je-ani Swiegelaar (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET

Nolwazi Ngubeni (Scandal!) | Ochre Media, e.tv

Elizabeth Serunye (Skeem Saam) | Peu, SABC1

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SOAP

Germandt Geldenhuys (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET

Eugene Olof (Hykie) Berg (Binnelanders) | Stark Films, kykNET

Melusi Mbele (Scandal!) | Ochre Media, e.tv

BEST ACTRESS IN A TELENOVELA

Zikhona Sodlaka (Gqeberha - The Empire) | Tshedza Pictures, Mzansi Magic

Sindi Dlathu (The River) | Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

Connie Chiume (Gomora S4) | Seriti Films, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACTOR IN A TELENOVELA

Jody Abrahams (Arendsvlei) | Penguin Films, kykNET

Lindani Nkosi (My Brother's Keeper) | Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Magic

Thembinkosi Mthembu (Outlaws) | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Themba Ndaba (Redemption) | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa

Presley Chweneyagae (The River) |Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST TV SOAP

Scandal! | Ochre Media, e.tv

Skeem Saam | Peu, SABC1

Suidooster | Suidooster Films, kykNET

BEST TELENOVELA

Gqeberha - The Empire S1 | Tshedza Pictures, Mzansi Magic

House of Zwide | Bomb Shelter, e.tv

Outlaws | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Redemption | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa

The River | Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA

Nandi Nyembe (Adulting) | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Renate Stuurman (Hartklop) |Quizzical Pictures, kykNET

Natasha Sutherland (Lioness S2) |  Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA

Nat Ramabulana (Fatal Seduction) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, Netflix

Wiseman Mncube (Shaka iLembe) | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

Senzokuhle Radebe (Shaka iLembe) | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV DRAMA

Kgomotso Christopher (Fatal Seduction) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, Netflix

Shannon Esra (Lioness S2) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Nomzamo Mbatha (Shaka iLembe) |  Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST ACTOR IN A TV DRAMA

Nhlanhla Kunene (Adulting) | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Thembinkosi Mthembu (Adulting) |  Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Frank Rautenbach (Lioness S2) | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Thembinkosi Mthembu (Shaka iLembe) | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST TV DRAMA

Fatal Seduction S2 |Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, Netflix

Lioness S2 | Ochre Media ADO Arena Holdings, M-Net

Shaka iLembe | Bomb Shelter, Mzansi Magic

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY

Tinah Mnumzana (Magaeng) |Burnt Onion Productions, Mzansi Magic

Meme Boitshoko Kumalo (Onse Kasi), Black&White Productions/SQU Productions, SABC2

Dorothy Anne Gould (Yoh! Christmas) | BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY

Mpho Sebeng (Miseducation) | Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Schalk Bezuidenhout (Taktiek) | Nagvlug Films, kykNET

Kagiso Modupe (Yoh! Christmas) | BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV COMEDY

Jo-Anne Reyneke (Black Tax S3) | RHP International, BET Africa

Phuti Khomo (Entangled S2) | Burnt Onion Productions, 1Magic

Marion Holm (Taktiek) | Nagvlug Films, kykNET

BEST ACTOR IN A TV COMEDY

Sne Dladla (Black Tax S3) | RHP International, BET Africa

Prev Reddy (Miseducation) | Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Siyabonga Raymond Sepotokele (Yoh! Christmas) | BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST TV COMEDY

Miseducation |Burnt Onion Productions, Netflix

Taktiek | Nagvlug Films, kykNET

Yoh! Christmas | BBZEE Films, Netflix

BEST SHORT FILM

Awake | Gentlemen Films, Bioscope Independent Cinema

Father's Day | Bunzi Bear Pictures, The Film Festival Doctor

Thrift Tot Die Dood | Idea Candy, kykNET

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM

June van Merch (Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor) |Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

Brenda Ngxoli (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold) | Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Jennifer Steyn (The Fragile King) | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM

Bongile Mantsai (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold) |Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Deon Lotz (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold) | Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Adrian Alper (Seconds) | Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video

BEST ACTRESS IN A FEATURE FILM

Kate Liquorish (Do Your Worst) | Blingola Media, Netflix

Mmabatho Mogomotsi (Seconds) | Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video

Antoinette Louw (The Fragile King) | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video

BEST ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM

Tony Miyambo (Big Nunu's Little Heist) | Diprente, Netflix

Sdumo Mtshali (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold) | Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Vusi Kunene (Seconds) | Free Women Films, Amazon Prime Video

Pierre van Pletzen (Hans Steek die Rubicon Oor) | Red Letter Day Pictures, kykNET

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING – FEATURE FILM

Blindelings | Ivan Botha, 17 Films, kykNET

Runs in the Family | Ian Gabriel, Giant Films, Netflix

The Fragile King | Tristan Holmes, The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video

BEST FEATURE FILM

iNumber Number: Jozi Gold | Quizzical Pictures, Netflix

Seconds | Free Women Films , Amazon Prime Video

The Fragile King | The Ergo Company, Amazon Prime Video

BEST NATURAL HISTORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME

City Beasts: Cape Of Chaos/Otter Chaos | Cool to be kind, People's Weather

Legends of Venom: Viper | Earth Touch | National Geographic

Snakes in the City S9 | Earth Touch | National Geographic

BEST TV PRESENTER (public vote)

Emihle Matshawu (Baking with The Rey's) | Rey Music, SABC3

Govan Whittles (Carte Blanche) | Combined Artists, M-Net

Kuhle Adams (Expresso) | Cardova Productions, SABC3

Laconco (Forever Thina) | Urban Brew Studios, Mzansi Magic

Dante Poole (Hectic Nine-9 S17) | Trace Studios, SABC2

Emo Adams (Noot vir Noot S47) | Stemmburg Television, SABC2

Devi Sankaree Govender (The Devi Show) | eMedia, e.tv

Jolene Martin (The Khoekhoe Saga) | On Set Images, SABC2

Mpho Modikoane (The Masked Singer SA) | Rose and Oaks Media, SABC3

Nomalanga Shozi (The Sauce) | Bonngoe TV, SABC1

MOST POPULAR TV SOAP OR TELENOVELA (public vote)

1802 - Love Defies Time | Hela Media, 1Magic

Arendsvlei | Penguin Films, kykNET

Binnelanders | Stark Films, kykNET

Diepe Waters | Penguin Films, kykNET

Generations: The Legacy | MMVS, SABC1

Giyani - Land of Blood | Tshedza Pictures, SABC2

Gqeberha - The Empire | Tshedza Pictures, Mzansi Magic

Gomora | Seriti Films, Mzansi Magic

House of Zwide | Bomb Shelter, e.tv

Isitha | Black Brain Pictures, e.tv

My Brother's Keeper | Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Magic

Outlaws  | Tshedza Pictures, Showmax

Redemption | Burnt Onion Productions & Seriti Films, BET Africa

Scandal! | Ochre Media, e.tv

Sibongile & The Dlamini's | Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Wethu

Skeem Saam | Peu, SABC1

Smoke & Mirrors | The Final Chapter Productions, e.tv

Suidooster | Suidooster Films, kykNET

The Estate | Clive Morris Productions, SABC3

The River | Tshedza Pictures, 1Magic

Umkhokha: The Curse | Rhythm World Productions, Mzansi Magic

MultiChoice developing Afrikaans version of The Office as a Showmax Original for 2025 with Rapid Blue.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is developing an Afrikaans version of the satirical comedy series The Office in South Africa, licensed from BBC Studios and produced by Rapid Blue, which will start filming and debut in 2025 as a Showmax Original and simultaneously broadcast on kykNET (DStv 144).

The Afrikaans version of The Office will be the 14th version of the mockumentary sitcom. MultiChoice has experience with the format with kykNET's long-running Hotel and the recent Pronk Primêr which is similar to Abbott Elementary. 

On Friday morning Showmax was asked but declined to say whether the title would be something like Die Kantoor, or what the initial episode order is, saying that more information about the production will only be made available later.

Nicola van Niekerk, M-Net's head of premium content and co-productions and now also Showmax's acting head of content, on Friday morning told media at kykNET's 2024 12th Silwerskerm film festival in a press briefing that South Africa will get the 14th adaptation of The Office on partnership with Ricky Gervais.

"We recently signed and we're developing in conjunction with Rapid Blue. We're extremely excited. We've started the process and will look at how is going to play the weird office boss," van Niekerk said.

"In Australia it's a woman. Will South Africa get a man or a woman? Will they be old or young? How will the office make-up look? This is one of the most exciting projects we've worked on in years," van Niekerk said.

"The reason you take a project like this is because of the expertise like the BBC comedy team and Ricky Gervais. But they don't have the writers internally for a South African adaptation. We're crewing up completely locally and we're going to get some of the best Afrikaans writers in the writers' room and make it as strong as possible."

"The thing that makes different versions of The Office so good is the adapted nuance of the writing. The cultural nuance and authenticity is critically important. You can't just take a script, translate it and think it will land. It won't land. So it will be a long development period."

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, says "We are proud to be producing the first African version of The Office for Showmax and kykNET".

The Office created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant made its debut over two decades ago as a British series and was successfully adapted in other territories like the United States and recently Australia.

South African public broadcaster to record another loss of R590 million as 'current budget reflects an SABC in financial distress'.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's public broadcaster is set to record yet another annual loss of R590 million for the 2023/2024 financial year, noting in documents that "the current budget reflects an SABC in financial distress".

The SABC's R590 million loss will be lower than the over R1.1 billion loss it made in the previous year.

The SABC is making a loss on SABC2, SABC3, SABC Sport, SABC News, as well as certain SABC radio channels.

The SABC briefed parliament's portfolio committee on communications and digital technologies on Tuesday.

In documents the embattled public broadcaster says its "current budget reflects an SABC in financial distress".

The SABC only projects to "returning to profitability in financial year 2027" which will be for the financial year ending at the end of March 2028, when it expects to make a R907 million profit. 

The SABC has been loss-making since 2014/2015.

SABC+ is expected to reach 500 000 users by the end of the financial year after the broadcaster restarted and reset for a third time to begin a user-base from scratch. 

According to the SABC, SABC+ has not been monetised yet.

12th Silwerskerm Film Festival: Day 1 | M-Net commissions Namibian film My F*k, Marelize based on viral video.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has commissioned My F*k, Marelize as a Namibian feature film based on the accident-prone Marelize Horn who went viral for her amateur video of riding a bike into a rugby pole.

My F*k, Marelize as a MultiChoice Namibia production will start shooting in Namibia in September.

Set in Windhoek and inspired by the true events that led up to the iconic rugby pole incident, the film follows the accident-prone Marelize Horn as she prepares to become an au pair in the Netherlands and her mother, Heidi Horn, as she handles a cancer diagnosis.

My F*k, Marelize is written by Safta-winning screenwriter Brett Michael Innes, the film marks the feature film debut of Zandré Coetzer, a television director on the South African hit series Dinge van ’n kind, based on a beloved young-adult novel by Marita van der Vyver. 

"The film is going to surprise everyone," says Brett Michael Innes.

"When people think of a movie based on the phrase ‘'my f*k, Marelize', they're probably expecting a slapstick comedy about a teenager who bumps into things all the time. The story of the Horn family has so much more depth than that, and we can't wait to surprise viewers with it."

Zandré Coetzer says "This story is a celebration of life - a showcase of how our people in Namibia and South Africa greet every challenge with a joke and face it with laughter".

"I was fortunate to spend time with the Horn family and witnessing their dynamic as a unit gave me such a clear vision for the film. As an Afrikaner, it is really special to be able to celebrate my language, culture and people in a story that speaks to our humour and way of doing life."

My F*k, Marelize is a Namibian and South African co-production and a collaboration with Windhoek-based producers Joel Haikali and Sophie Haikali from Joe Vision Productions and the Cape Town production companies Nagvlug Films and Nostalgia Productions.

Paulo Areal rounds out the producing team with financing from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), kykNET Films and MultiChoice Namibia.

Waldimar Pelser, M-Net channel director for premium channels, says "kykNET is deeply rooted in Namibia, and we take great pride to be able to support not just any co-production with strong Namibian ties, but this one – a story full of pathos and humour with a unique local character".

Joel Haikali says "This lively Namibia-South Africa co-production is a love letter to Windhoek life".

"It celebrates our quirky Namibian charm and vibrant spirit with plenty of humour and our very own delicious flavour of Afrikaans. It’s a film for the entire family, and we are very excited to be a part of it."

Marelize Horn says "It's crazy how this keeps growing. When I got a random Facebook message from Brett last year about wanting to make a film about our family, I didn't know quite what to expect. Now they’re about to start filming, and I can’t wait to see how our experience is brought to life."

12th Silwerskerm Film Festival: Day 1 | Beer Adriaanse on Zinkplaat biopic: 'A forgotten chapter on screen thanks to a crate of video cassettes'.

Thinus Ferreira

Beer Adriaanse's biographical, band origin and gig film Vergeet My Nie (Forget Me Not) making its debut at kykNET's 2024's 12th Silwerskermfees film festival, would never have happened had his parent not cleared out a storeroom discovering a black crate with multiple video cassettes filled with amateur footage.

In Vergeet My Nie, Beer Adriaanse takes the viewer on a jaw-dropping, archive-compiled journey to yesterday and the late analogue era of the early 2000s when the Afrikaans rock group Zinkplaat had its origin in which Adriaanse was the drummer. 

Beer Adriaanse is also the writer, director and narrator of Vergeet My Nie which depicts the origin and countrywide tours by bus of Zinkplaat.

Produced by Idea Candy and DPK with music from Zinkplaat, Foto Na Dans, eF-eL, the Straatligkinders, Tidal Waves and New Holland, Vergeet My Nie can best be described as a biographical, first-person, band and music concert story.

Through the eyes and shaky-cam clips of Beer Adriaanse and his "were-they-ever-that-young?" bandmates two decades ago, the viewer gets a glimpse of an almost-forgotten, yet seminal period in the rise of alternative Afrikaans music at the start of this century.

In multiple unguarded moments none of them ever likely thought would ever be shown on a big screen, Zinkpaat band members live in tents, collab with other emerging Afrikaans bands and Adriaanse lives out his boyhood diary dreams of having and playing in his own band. 

Ouma would indeed be proud - except for the loud music.  

Similar to Disney+'s 2021 documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, the short film depicting the Zinkplaat origin story, has an interesting origin story of itself: A forgotten black plastic crate filled with DV8-video cassettes, old paper diaries scribbled with notes and dreams, as well as a lot of photos. 

When Beer Adriaanse's parents packed up when they relocated from the Strand, they made the discovery and told their son of his forgotten material.

"Through all the years we recorded our band concerts in the hope of one day making something of it," the 39-year-old tells me. "We found a hard drive with unbelievable material from the first and second tour of Zinkplaat that I thought was lost forever to time."

"For me as a fan of filmmaking and film art it is incredible how the formats of a time period give you this unvarnished glimpse of the time during which it was recorded. It was an immense challenge and a lot of hard work to digitise all of this - from the video cassette to the start of digital cards in handy cams."

"It's fortuitous that somehow, somebody always had a camera and captured what we were busy with," Adriaanse says. 

Two terabytes of footage were captured - each December over seven years - with different cameras.

Beer Adriaanse went through all of this to create the fascinating short film which in the end transitions to how everyone the viewer meets and spends time with during the story - like fellow band mates Bertie Coetzee and Dirkie van der Merwe - look today.

"We were all very young and it was long before the time before people became aware of how selfies would influence and change our lives and how and what cellphones would become. So everyone on camera was really just themselves. Everyone behaved when the camera captured them as if nobody would ever see it."

"People just partied up a storm. The worst is probably joints being smoked and people drinking and making out."

Beer Adriaanse is still good friends with Bertie Coetzee and Dirkie van der Merwe. "Because it's a lost chapter, the people who were a part of it never thought there would be a story about it. We were part of a wave; a movement. Zinkplaat took place within a specific context."

Adriaanse says the filmmaking process "led to so many emotions I'm still processing".

"It was such a crazy experience to spend so many months with my younger self and my friends' younger versions - looking in a mirror back at yourself and how you were."

12th Silwerskerm Film Festival: Day 1 | Programme manager Tina Kruger on 2024's 'full, vibrant and expansive slate'.

by Thinus Ferreira

As kykNET's 12th Silwerskermfees film festival kicks off today in Cape Town with a glitzy raft of film premieres, deal-making, panel discussions and ending with an awards show on Saturday, thousands of film biz cognoscenti are once again set to descend on The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay for what the programme manager promises will be "a full, vibrant and expansive festival".

Over the next few days attendees and panellists - some flying in from as far as Dubai and London - will listen to panel sessions, attend master classes in the Rotunda and Theatre on the Bay, and have a glass of wine on the deck before Saturday night's Afrikaans film and TV awards show at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) that will seat 1 300 people.

With over 60 litres of sunflower oil, 40kg of flavouring salts and 2 500 boxes that will be used, attendees will munch their way through over 275kg of popcorn as they watch an array of TV pilot episodes, short films, features and a slate of new documentaries.

"Like all other film festivals internationally, we need to continue to be very agile within this space, to continue doing what the Silwerskermfees set out to do in the first place which is to incubate projects and to give new voices an opportunity," Tina Kruger, the festival's programme manager tells me.

"The Silwerskermfees is doing an impeccable job when it comes to fostering a documentary film slate. Last year was the first time we included screening TV pilots and this year we are expanding on that with full-feature documentaries screening at this year's festival."

"The Silwerskermfees keeps expanding in what it offers. We're not just reaching traditional festival goers but we're also open to the public who can come and see and experience the content so that it goes wider than just the immediate film industry".

"Likewise, filmmakers and executives get the chance to rub shoulders with the people who they are making the content for - viewers - and not just getting together for themselves. I think that's a very important shift for the festival as a whole."

Tina Kruger says she's looking to the 2024 Silwerskermfees "which will be a full and vibrant and expansive festival".

Unique Afrikaans focus

Waldimar Pelser, channel director for premium channels at M-Net, tells TVwithThinus that the Silwerskermfees film festival continues to provide a unique Afrikaans focus with a wide umbrella for South Africa's film and TV industry.

"The Silwerskermfees, firstly, has a unique Afrikaans focus. So when we look for film projects to support, we try to find those stories in the Afrikaans community, mostly but not limited to the Western Cape. This Afrikaans community has had uneven access to platforms for storytelling on the big screen. Our efforts aim to address this."

He says those who make kykNET films for Silwerskerm are seasoned filmmakers "but increasingly new voices who often enter the industry for the first time by making a short film for Silwerskermfees" are included as well.

"This, then, is our second unique focus: Silwerskerm is fundamentally a developmental festival where new filmmakers are guided by recognised mentors to make their big screen début."

"There is a great need for mentorship and capital directed at new voices," Waldimar Pelser explains.

"In this vein, Silwerskerm has yielded hundreds of short films and dozens of new film- and TV makers who started their careers with Silwerskerm. We want to sustain this festival as an incubator for talent in the Afrikaans space, even though many of our filmmakers also produce content in other languages." 

Asked whether Afrikaans film specifically is under pressure, Waldimar Pelser says "One could argue Afrikaans film is under less pressure than English language or vernac films in South Africa because Afrikaans films benefit from a dedicated channel which needs a certain volume of films and TV shows every year to fill a linear schedule and satisfy paying subscribers".

"This level of reliable demand has been a game changer for the industry because the volumes of Afrikaans content required always remains above a certain critical level, enabling a small industry to plan and thrive around it."

"At the same time it is true that the entire film industry is under pressure. Afrikaans films are not immune."

"Cinemas are emptier than before Covid and have not recovered. Films premiering on subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services means they often skip theatrical release and pay-TV, which further diminishes the opportunities to recoup costs."

"We are therefore always developing new models to try and fund local films in a way that squares with our mandate, recognises our budgetary constraints, but also allows filmmakers to seek additional external funding."

Coining it: MultiChoice revamps and gamifies DStv Rewards.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has revamped its DStv Rewards loyalty programme, updating its MyDStv app and adding a layer of enhanced gamification that the pay-TV operator hopes will drive more subscribers to its app and have them stay and interact longer for the chance to collect coins. 

The upgrade to DStv Rewards comes as MultiChoice just passed two million subscribers who have signed up for its loyalty programme.

For people enjoying Fishland or Farmland on TEMU, Wordle on the New York Times app, who play SmartHopper on Pick n Pay's app trying to reach Tilly, or play daily "unlocks" on Vodacom's VodaBucks, it's now possible to visit the upgraded DStv Rewards inside the new MyDStv App to collect coins to spinning a wheel and playing a Memory Vault game.

The newly launched MyDStv App has additional features, including gamification, challenges and a Rewards storefront where points - the currency is DStv coins - can be used to pay for vouchers from Checkers, KFC,Takealot, cellphone airtime, Wimpy, Uber Eats, travel discounts, SweepSouth and Planet Fitness, to competition entries and DStv experiences.

"The DStv Rewards programme was enhanced to create more value for our loyal subscribers and to drive frequent engagement with our brand," Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO, tells TVwithThinus.

"The new programme introduces a broader range of rewards, gamification, and the ability to earn and spend digital coins. More importantly, it gives customers the choice of how they want to spend their digital coins."

The DStv Rewards programme allows DStv subscribers to join for free through the MyDStv App, dstv.com, or WhatsApp, and once enrolled they are placed in a DStv Rewards tier. They then receive monthly discounts, rewards, spins on the Rewards Wheel, and challenges.

"The introduction of gamification was key to raising awareness of the programme and driving frequent engagement and interaction. Our goal was to create value and provide more choices for customers in a fun and enjoyable manner, Marc Jury explains.

"Challenges will include online games, interactive quizzes, and behaviour-driven tasks, such as paying on time, staying connected, and updating personal details."

"These challenges will allow customers to earn digital coins, which can be spent in our store according to their preferences. This functionality is set to roll out soon and promises to make the rewards programme more engaging and dynamic."

MultiChoice launched DStv Rewards in September 2020 and has since been recognised as one of the top 25 loyalty programmes in South Africa.

"Our biggest success has been the response to our unique and exclusive experiences, like Early bird tickets to SA Rugby matches, access to hospitality suites at sports events like soccer, rugby, and cricket), as well as access to hospitality suites at DStv Delicious Events," Marc Jury says.

"There has also been international trips, including the Rugby World Cup, Premier League matches, cruises, and special screenings, meet-the-cast experiences, meet the Springboks experiences, invitations to special awards evenings like the SARU awards, and special TV studio visits."

"Additionally, our loyal customers receive monthly rewards, such as package upgrades, anniversary gifts, Box Office rentals, discounted vouchers, and access to monthly competitions."

Jury says these rewards will continue to be part of the DStv Rewards value proposition, with more options being added.

Currently in its 4th year, MultiChoice's DStv Rewards programme has just reached a membership base of over two million subscribers.

"The programme is designed to reduce churn and encourage loyalty by rewarding customers for their tenure, product holdings, and positive behaviour through a tiered approach," Marc Jury explains.

"DStv Rewards is the only loyalty programme within the paid TV services industry in South Africa."

"We are one of the 25 most used loyalty programmes in South Africa and have been voted the most used loyalty programme in the Leisure category by both economically active and mass-market customers in the 2024 Truth Brand White Paper."

In 2023, DStv Rewards also won an award at the International Loyalty Awards for the best short-term campaign.

"This is just the start of many more exciting things to come," Marc Jury says. 

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Moment, a revolutionary payment platform by MultiChoice. This partnership will allow us to create a digital wallet where DStv coins can be redeemed for various goods and services, further enhancing the value and convenience for our subscribers."

South Africa's SOS Coalition demands moratorium on country's analogue TV switch-off date of 31 December 2024 as millions of TV households face blank screens.

by Thinus Ferreira

With millions of TV viewers set to lose basic access to television channels like the SABC at the end of the year, the SOS Coalition demands that the South African government immediately stops it plan to flip the kill-switch on 31 December on the last of the country's analogue TV transmitters.

Millions of South African TV viewers still rely on analogue TV signals to receive and watch the SABC and other broadcasters like e.tv's TV channels.

South Africa's government and the department of communications botched the country's long-delayed digital migration plan and switch-over from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT). 

Delayed more than 15 years and marred by corruption, industry in-fighting, multiple dragged-out court cases, fights over everything ranging from formats and set-top boxes (STBs) to encryption control, as well as tender scandals, undue commercial influence, government incompetence and budget run-overs, the government is adamant to switch-off the last of parastatal sign-distributor Sentech's analogue transmission towers.

While outdated, subsidised STBs for the poor that cost millions to manufacture and procure are gathering dust, unclaimed in locked South African Post offices countrywide and while those that were handed out already broke down, the South African government will cut off millions of indigent households from the signals of the SABC and others on the last day of this year.

While the SABC already took a massive viewership knock over the past three years as millions of its viewers were wiped off the country's TV ratings system after viewers lost the ability of receive public broadcasting television signals, eMedia's e.tv remained mostly unscathed as it refused the switch-off of its analogue signals.

eMedia isn't against the DTT switch-over but told the government that it can't switch off its analogue e.tv TV signals if millions of viewers don't have the ability to watch or receive DTT. 

Although the government-run process is severely flawed and already more than a decade behind schedule, eMedia over the past two years cautioned the government that even more time is needed and that DTT has actually become an outdated broadcasting system which has already been surpassed by better technology.

Now the SOS Coalition, broad industry coalition association that advocates for proper public broadcasting, has launched a "Save Free TV" campaign in South Africa, demanding that the South African government imposes a moratorium on its plan to finally shutter analogue TV signals at the end of December.

The SOS Coalition says the initiative is "an urgent and necessary campaign aimed at safeguarding the constitutional right of access to information, in particular free-to-air (FTA) television, for all South Africans to access".

"This campaign comes in response to the ongoing broadcast digital migration process and the imminent threat posed by the scheduled switch-off of the analogue television signals on 31 December 2024".

"The Save Free TV campaign demands that the department of communications and digital technology immediately halts the analogue switch-off until critical measures are implemented to ensure millions of households do not lose access to FTA TV, their primary source for vital news, information, and entertainment."

Millions of SA viewers will lose access

While millions of poor South African households who qualify for a free STB has not received one, South African households who are not "poor enough" and who have to buy one for themselves to switch from analogue to DTT, can't do so.

The SOS Coalition says analogue TV shouldn't be killed off before at least 85% of poor TV households don't have a STB.

"We demand that the minister of communication and digital technologies impose a moratorium on the switch-off of any further analogue transmitters. We demand an agreed threshold of 85% for the roll-out of STBs to indigent households, and a timeframe for the procurement/availability of DTT kits in retail stores," the organisation says.

It also wants "a nationwide publicity and campaign on the analogue switch-off to ensure no-one is left behind" for the department "to investigate the future viability of DTT compared to direct-to-home (satellite TV), as well as an exploration of the cost of signal distribution and sustainability of DTT.

"The transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, while a significant technological advancement, poses a grave threat to access to free-to-air television," the SOS Coalition says.

"With between 2.2 million to 4.5 million households still reliant on analogue TV, the government's failure to effectively roll out STBs and raise public awareness regarding registering for a government subsidised STB and the implication of analogue switch-off, could result in millions losing access to essential information and services," the SOS Coalition warns.

"In an era where misinformation is rampant, the availability of credible and free news sources is more critical than ever. The Save Free TV campaign aims to ensure that no South African is left behind in this digital transition and that everyone can continue to exercise their right to accessible and reliable information."

The SOS Coalition has now started an online petition as part of its call for the postponement of the analogue switch-off date in South Africa.

SABC silent over broken promises of new Muvhango logo and opening title sequence.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster and Word of Mouth Pictures have been unwilling to say or explain why nothing came of broken promises of a new show logo and a new opening title sequence for the new season of Muvhango on SABC2.

Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu and the SABC said that Muvhango would restart with a 26th season that would come with a new, updated logo, as well as new opening title sequence. Neither happened.

After Word of Mouth Pictures' contract ran out for season 25 (that had just 130 episodes instead of the usual 260 required to fill a year's worth of weekday episodes) which effectively means that Muvhango was cancelled, the SABC eventually signed a new contract for a 26th season and a further 260 episodes - meaning a full season order.

TVwithThinus reported on 24 July that the SABC had decided to do another season of Muvhango.

The SABC at a hastily arranged media event on 25 July in Fourways, Johannesburg confirmed the reporting.

At this media event, the SABC said that season 26 of Muvhango would start on 5 August. 

On 5 August Muvhango failed to start on SABC2, without any proper media advisory and with the SABC saying that it suddenly had to show Olympic Games coverage on SABC2. 

Muvhango's new season eventually started on 12 August. 

At the media event, Duma Ndlovu and the SABC claimed that Muvhango would have this new show logo with a different font, and "unveiled" it to the media:

When Muvhango restarted belatedly on 12 August, there was no longer any updated show logo. Over the past two weeks Muvhango kept using the same old, existing logo.

At the media event, Duma Ndlovu and the SABC also claimed that Muvhango would have a new, updated opening title sequence. This also turned out to be false.

At the Muvhango media event, Duma Ndlovu claimed that "Muvhango has a new logo, we have a new title sequence, we've listened to the young people. We've come back with what we think is a stunning show."

Since 15 August the SABC was asked repeatedly for comment and for explanations about the broadcaster and Word of Mouth Pictures announcements about a new show logo and title sequence and why it didn't happen.

At the time of publishing this article on 26 August, the SABC hasn't responded to any of the questions.