by Thinus Ferreira
The actor-director Hamilton Wessels popularly known as "Hammie" who is currently the co-presenter of Kom Ons Jol on kykNET (DStv 144) has tested Covid-19 positive with the weekly music video call-in show that switched from its studio setting to be done from the presenters' home on Saturday night.
Kom Ons Jol, produced by C-SAW Media, is one of a growing string of shows on M-Net's Afrikaans language division kykNET channels, as well as the broader South African TV and film industry, all affected by increasing Covid-19 positive cases under their casts and crews and that has seen productions shut down for studio and set deep-cleaning and staff self-isolation.
"It's my fault that tonight we come to you from our homes tonight - it's not our new set - it's our homes. I've tested positive for the coronavirus, I've picked it up from somewhere. I have no symptoms at this stage. I hope it remains that way," Hammie Wessels told DStv subscribers on Saturday night.
"M-Net and MultiChoice told us to get tested, there's been a few viruses where we work. Co-host Leandie du Randt luckily tested negative. I'm staying positive. Now it's safety first."
Hammie Wessels said that he will now have to self-isolate for 14 days of which he's "already been a few days into it. I'm now staying home."
When South Africa's Covid-19 national lockdown period started, kykNET quickly created Kom Ons Jol as a Saturday night replacement for its traditional Afrikaans film slot, inviting viewers and artists to interact through their mobile devices with dedications, messages and performances as the use of consumer video conferencing technology exploded because of the shutdown.
Leandie Du Randt said "People need to realise that this thing is really real and not something to toy with. So if you think you've been in contact with someone who has Covid-19, stay home, stay in isolation, get tested. It's uncomfortable but we will get through it."
kykNET's Afrikaans Friday night sports variety talk show, Toks & Tjops, also produced by C-SAW Media, also switched back to the various presenters' homes for Friday's edition after it had returned to the studio for just 2 weeks after Toks & Tjops was recorded remotely from the 4 presenters' homes for the past 3 months.
