by Thinus Ferreira
Ziyanda Ngcaba has been promoted as Rapid Blue CEO from 1 April with veteran producer and co-founder of the production company, Duncan Irvine, stepping down as CEO after three decades.
Duncan Irvine will be using his experience and skills in a new venture, "providing services to brands, broadcasters and production companies alike, in the areas of content development, packaging and funding solutions" according to a statement.
Rapid Blue has produced shows for all of South Africa's major broadcasters from the SABC and e.tv to various local M-Net channels and international third-party pay-TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.
Ziyanda Ngcaba joined Rapid Blue in 2020 as an executive producer and business director and was promoted to managing director at Rapid Blue in April 2021. She joined Rapid Blue after having worked at eMedia Investments and the SABC
During her time with Rapid Blue the production company has produced the 7th season of Come Dine with Me SA for BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174), the upcoming 10-episode original series Homegrown Tastes South Africa also for BBC Lifestyle fronted by Lorna Maseko, and the third season of the South African version of Celebrity Game Night for NBCUniversal's E! (DStv 124).
There's also been a second season of Family Feud South Africa with Steve Harvey as presenter for e.tv, with Rapid Blue that facilitated the Nigerian shoots for Warner Brothers Television's American series Bob Hearts Abishola seen on M-Net's 1Magic (DStv 103) channel.
Duncan Irvine in the statement says "I am thrilled that Ziyanda will be heading up Rapid Blue".
"With her wealth of expertise in the business of television, drive and creativity, I know we will see the company thrive. After almost 30 years leading Rapid Blue, I'm immensely proud of the team that we have built and I have no doubt that the future will be bright".
"I am grateful to be able to continue to offer my support in new ways by developing fresh content solutions through alternative funding models. Ziyanda has stepped into the managing director role seamlessly over the last year, I am confident that our vision will be carried forward under her leadership with the support of the best team in the industry."
Ziyanda Ngcaba says "I am hugely honoured to take the helm and steer this ship".
"I look
forward to carrying ahead Duncan and Kee-Leen's values, creative ambition and
passion for quality entertainment."
"With
the company producing a series of brilliant shows, we are eager to continue to
grow Rapid Blue productions and I am confident in the future. We have a strong creative
team, with a combined experience of over 100 years in the industry, who are vital in the future success of the
company."
"We will continue to create brilliant
projects which I can't wait for audiences in South Africa and around the world
to see."
