''We will unfortunately not be broadcasting the Saftas,'' Zandile Nkonyeni, SABC2 publicity manager just told me, confirming that the Saftas that still struggled as late as last week with negotiations with SABC2 to pick up the show, won't be broadcast live this year.
''SABC2 is not having the Saftas as a live broadcast. Whether we'll be licensing it for later broadcast possibly is not confirmed. We will however be supporting our nominees through on-air marketing campaigns on all the SABC's TV channels from SABC1 to SABC3,'' she says.
Due to financial constraints the SABC decided to pass on the Saftas who also approached other broadcasters and channels such as M-Net's Mzansi magic channel but did so too late. The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) that runs the Saftas promised word on whether the 5th Saftas will be televised or not but haven't said a word yet. With SABC2 officially backing out, its now a done deal that the Saftas - widely panned by the local TV industry - won't be on television this year. The ceremony will still be recorded by Clive Morris Productions however. It just won't be shown on TV.
''We could not actually pick up the Saftas due to financial constraints,'' says Zandile Nkonyeni. ''They [NFVF] did go to the TV industry and it was up to other networks and broadcasters who also had the chance to pitch and licence it. Nobody did.'' Asked whether SABC2 would consider broadcasting the Saftas next year, should the award show continue she says ''that would have to be another discusion with the NFVF.''
''The NFVF approach all broadcasters, the Saftas is no longer an entirely SABC2 event. Any other broadcaster could take it. We did have a contract for the first 3 years of the Saftas. Last year we did it again. It just that this year we cannot make it.''
ALSO READ: The Saftas: An amateurly run, badly organized, utter disgrace, devoid of credibility, judicious thought, substance or fairness.
