by Thinus Ferreira
TV industry tributes are pouring in following the death of MultiChoice's head of content and third-party channels, Aletta Alberts (57), who died on Tuesday morning from Covid-19 complications.
For 15 years after a stint at the SABC, the highly-respected and widely-liked top TV executive was the linchpin at the centre of MultiChoice's sprawling DStv bouquet channel building and video content aggregation where Aletta Alberts held sway over which international and local TV channels to carry and which new channels to commission and develop.
Jan du Plessis, channel director for M-Net channels, says:
"Aletta
was a force of nature in our industry, the original content guru - she loved everything TV, art and opera."
"Her annual trips to the New York Opera season in December were simply soul-food for her and we could not wait to
hear the latest and the greatest when she got back."
"We were lucky to attend
many TV Markets and especially LA Screenings together, where we saw all the new
series coming from the Hollywood Studios. Over the years we developed a 'short-hand' - one look, one eyebrow or one word and we knew exactly what the
other thought about what we were screening ... often in hysterical laughter, with
the people around us clueless."
"Aletta had an incredible sense of humour and caring nature. Who will call me 'LieweJan' now?
She will be sorely missed."
Karen Meiring, M-Net director for kykNET channels, says:
"Aletta and I studied drama together at the University of the North-West and met in 1982. Through her career and different portfolios I've had a huge admiration for everything she had accomplished."
While I was at the KKNK, she was at the SABC and later Vodacom and ensured that they supported the arts festival. Twelve years ago we became colleagues at MultiChoice. It was an immense privilege to work with her."
"Aletta didn't leave anyone she had contact with untouched - she was the type of person you wanted to be. She was warm, funny, kind and had an unbelievable work ethic. Her day had more than 24 hours."
"She was a visionary leader with her finger on the pulse of a wide field of interests: TV, art, opera, retail and e-commerce. Her legacy lies in the people she educated and lead to think and see the world differently."
"She invested a lot in colleagues and friends - opened doors for artists locally and internationally. Her gut sense was impeccable, her passion infectious and her knowledge and wisdom a barometer. She was exceptionally colourful and stylish and an explorer of new and unknown terrain. Aletta was a formidable person. Her passing leaves a void that won't easily be filled."
Christine Service, senior vice president and general manager of The Walt Disney
Company Africa, says:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Aletta
Alberts and extend our thoughts and condolences to her family, friends and
colleagues. Aletta was and will always be remembered as a pillar of the South
African media industry, who had a prolific impact on broadcasting. She will be
sorely missed."
Pierre Cloete, commercial director for branded services
for Africa at BBC Studios, says:
"It is with great sadness to hear about Aletta's passing.
Aletta was a very close colleague and dear friend."
"She will be remembered as
one of the most knowledgeable and influential content executives in Africa. Aletta was a very generous person and always shared her insights and passions
freely with people around her."
"Aletta's bubbly personality and brilliance will
be sincerely missed. My deepest condolences for her family, friends and
colleagues."
Thabile Ngwato, CEO at Newzroom Afrika, says:
"As a business we were deeply devastated at Aletta Alberts'
passing. As the head of content and third-party channels at MultiChoice, she
contributed invaluably towards the Newzroom Afrika story. A powerhouse
with the sharpest mind and unmatched attention to detail, we will miss her
dearly."
NBCUniversal said they don't want to share anything but have made condolences privately.
Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, says:
"My
heartfelt condolences to Aletta's family and all at MultiChoice. Aletta
Alberts, was one of a kind, a trailblazer, a game-changer, a generous mentor
and one of the most professional and genuine industry leaders."
"Aletta was an
institution, she was impactful and added so much value to the transformation of
this industry. We salute you, rest well."
Dillon Khan, vice president for Nickelodeon Africa and Comedy Central Africa at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, says:
"I
could talk about Aletta Alberts - the media industry titan who helped shape
African storytelling across a continent."
"But I'd rather talk about the
amazing human being who was loving, generous, caring, creative and had a wicked
sense of humour. She will be sorely missed but fondly remembered."
Craig Paterson, senior vice president and general manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, says:
"Aletta
was a content trailblazer who played an important role in the industry and
country. Aletta will
forever be remembered for her numerous colorful stories, sense of humor,
authenticity and immense generosity.
"She'll be
dearly missed by all who all who worked alongside her."
Strini Naicker, vice president commercial and content distribution at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, says:
"Ever since I had the privilege to
work with Aletta Alberts since early 2000 at the SABC, Aletta was always known to be
astute in her business principles and thoroughness."
"But more importantly,
Aletta was considerate, and an individual that possessed an immense amount of
empathy to the people that came into her life. She will be dearly missed by all
of us."
Fathima
Beckmann, communication director at ViacomCBS Networks Africa, says:
"Aletta
Alberts was an inspiration to many of us as an icon of our industry - a visionary leader who was as passionate about creating local African content as
she was about investing and growing local talent and skills through mentorship
and platforms for our industry to thrive in."
"We cherish your presence,
infectious laughter and adventurous spirit. Your legacy lives on."
Bokani Moyo, head of Moja channels, Moja Love and Moja 9.9, says:
"The death of Aletta Alberts is a great loss to the broadcasting
industry at large. She made a significant contribution to the success that Moja
Love enjoys today and was an integral part in the recently launched Moja
9.9."
"The memory of her great personality and many contributions to the
broadcasting industry will continue to be celebrated by all. May her
soul rest in peace."
Olivier Laouchez, the co-founder, chairman and CEO at TRACE TV, says:
"Aletta Alberts was an institution in the South African and African entertainment industries."
"We will remember Aletta as a passionate and caring person committed to bringing the best of local and international content to the audiences and also as a true artist with great personal initiatives both in arts and fashion."
Valentine Gaudin, managing director for Southern Africa and regional director for Anglophone & Lusophone Africa at TRACE TV, says:
"Aletta
Alberts was an extraordinary TV executive and we are mourning this great
loss."
"She has
played a pivotal role in the growth of TRACE and its localisation strategy with
now 9 local channels on DStv in Anglophone and Lusophone Africa. It was a
pleasure always to interact with her and engage on industry and content
trends."
"I've always also admired her sense of fashion with bold jewellery and
glasses - she will be sorely missed. May she rest in peace."
The Zee Africa team in a statement, says:
"We at Zee Africa have known
and worked with Aletta Alberts for several
years. Aletta was a strategic thinker who was brilliant, innovative and
creative."
"She initiated and implemented much in terms of launching many
channels and ensuring both the Zee and MultiChoice businesses grew from
strength to strength."
"Aletta was living proof of
how wonderful a person can be. She was sincere, passionate and generously
shared with us her knowledge and expertise."
"This very vibrant individual
with a rare friendliness and charm of personality will be missed. It was a
privilege to work with Aletta. May her soul rest in peace."
Mindset Network, says:
"Tremendously sad news of Aletta Alberts having passed away. Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. A giant in the TV industry with extensive knowledge, passion and kindness, she will be sorely missed by all in the DStv and MultiChoice broadcast universe."
Jason Njoko, co-founder and CEO of iROKO TV, says:
"Aletta was one of the nicest people in African entertainment - a massive supporter of my wife and I from the very beginning. Deepest condolences and rest in peace to the MultiChoice family."
Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films, says:
"We are extremely saddened by the passing of Aletta Alberts. Her contribution to the industry at the SABC, and then later at MultiChoice is really enormous. She was visionary in her choices and I only have the best memories of working with her. Rest in peace, dear Aletta."
