Darlington Michaels dead at 78 after short sickbed

by Thinus Ferreira

The veteran South African actor Darlington Michaels, best known for his role as flamboyant gangster Georgie "Papa G" Zamdela in SABC3's cancelled Isidingo, died on Friday after a short sickbed. He was 78.

Darlington Michaels was admitted to the Chris Baragwanath hospital in Soweto this week suffering from breathing problems.

He was born in Pimville, Soweto, the son of a Lesotho mother and an East London father, after which they moved to Sophiatown and then White City. His Michaels surname comes from his grandfather who was a coloured man.

In 1984 Darlington Michaels wrote and starred in the play Survival about South Africa's apartheid prison system. For it he was arrested in Nelspruit and spent three months in prison without trial. After he was released, he continued to do theatre work.

Besides his iconic Isidingo role which he started with in 1997 after he got the part, Darlington Michaels portrayed the role of Daliza in the 2012 sitcom Chandies on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), and he was Pipe Man in the first season of Gaz'lam.

He appeared in Netflix's second season of How to Ruin Christmas, portrayed Themba Mashinini in Mzansi Magic's The Road telenovela in 2015 and appeared as the township gangster Gab in Mzansi Magic's 2020 drama series Vula Vula.

In film Darlington Michaels had roles in 1986's Strike Force, 1988's Mapantsula and in 1995's Hearts & Minds as well as Cry, the Beloved Country.

He also appeared in 1999's Chikin Biznis ... The Whole Story, 2006's Bunny Chow: Know Thyself, and was Rev. Reynolds in 2015's The Jakes are Missing. 

In 2013 Darlington Michaels suffered a stroke in Cape Town during a work trip and spent three months in Cape Town's Groote Schuur hospital.

Darlington Michaels created his own production company, Melisizwe Productions specialising in community theatre. He is survived by his wife and two children.

The SABC in a statement says the broadcaster "is deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Darlington Michaels. His immense contribution to the entertainment industry will forever be remembered".

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards will be on M-Net on Monday but NBCUniversal dumps its Live red carpet coverage on E! for DStv subscribers before it.

by Thinus Ferreira

America's 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday will be broadcast live in South Africa on M-Net although pre-coverage of the ceremony’s red carpet arrivals won't be shown live on E!.
 
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards is done from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles with the father-son duo and Shitt's Creek co-stars Eugene Levy and Dan Levy and will be broadcast live on Monday morning 16 September at 02:00 in South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101). 

M-Net is doing a primetime broadcast of the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday night at 21:00.
 
NBCUniversal will again not show its traditional E! live red carpet coverage of the Emmys in the run-up to the ceremony as a live broadcast in South Africa. 
 
In past years, NBCUniversal showed DStv subscribers both the Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys as a live broadcast block, followed by a live broadcast block of E! Live from the Red Carpet.
 
NBCUniversal is not showing Live from E!: Countdown to the Emmys with Zuri Hall, Zanna Roberts-Rassi and Christian Siriano to DStv subscribers this year at all, while Live from E!: Emmy After Party as a wrap-up show is also not on the schedule for E!'s DStv subscribers in South Africa.
 
NBCUniversal gave no explanation for pulling back on both the broadcast volume of its pre-programming of Emmy coverage on E! shown in South Africa, and for no longer showing the part of pre-programming that it will actually have of the Emmys, as a live broadcast.
 
Instead, DStv subscribers will only see the 2-hour E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards pre-show as a recorded show and long after the Emmys ceremony.
 
South Africa's DStv subscribers will see E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards for the first time as a recorded broadcast on Monday late afternoon at 17:00 on E! (DStv 124). 

This will be followed by repeats on Tuesday morning at 02:40 and 08:10.
 
Laverne Cox, Heather McMahan and Keltie Knight will the presenters of E! Live from the Red Carpet: The 2024 Emmy Awards, which is produced by Den of Thieves with Jesse Ignjatovic, Evan  Prager and Barb Bialkowski. 
 
Tuesday night's E! News at 22:00 on E! – the first original edition of this programme for the week – will then feature a wrap-up of Sunday's Emmy news and interviews.
 

Telkom to try and compete with MultiChoice's DStv - again - with a 'content mall' of bundled streaming curation.

by Thinus Ferreira

It might be a case of third time lucky for Telkom which plans to once again compete with MultiChoice's DStv by creating a curated, bundled video streaming offering through a "content mall" that's cheaper than subscribing to streamers directly, after attempts over the past decade to create its own satellite TV service and then its own streaming service both failed.

Lunga Siyo, Telkom consumer CEO, told the ITWeb On The Road podcast that the telecom is busy setting up its own "content mall" through which it wants to bundle various video streaming services at a bundled price that's cheaper that subscribing to each streamer individually.

Multiple American studios and streamers are currently exploring and working on the same idea of offering bundled streaming services similar to the traditional satellite pay-TV bundle, as the industry starts to consolidate and consumers are saying they no longer want to pay for a bunch of different streamers.

In this Telkom "content mall", Telkom customers would be able to subscribe to streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and others at a cheaper price than subscribing to those streaming services directly.

"Instead of investing in content and becoming a content producer, we've taken a position that we create a content mall. So we become the access. So in our own platform you're able to subscribe to these platforms, for a fee, which might be cheaper than if you were to go directly."

"So we will aggregate all of these services, and offer it you it to you as a bundle," Siyo said.

"They bring their own content, we bring our own platform."

Telkom's latest plan might be easier said than done. 

Not only has MultiChoice stalled in its own plan three years after announcing that it was creating a "one-stop shop" for streaming services through its DStv platform, but Telkom has struggled and gave up on both its previous tries to create a traditional and streaming video service.

In 2006 Telkom was one of the few successful bidders for new satellite TV service licences in South Africa and set up Telkom Media into which hundreds of millions of rand was poured with executives appointed and international content agreement signed.

After planning to invest over R7 billion, Telkom then abruptly decided to pivot Telkom Media which never launched, into an IPTV service instead of traditional satellite pay-TV and, two years later in 2008 slashed its funding.

After another year, Telkom dumped Telkom Media in 2009 which was sold off to Shenzhen Media Group which never launched and shuttered.

In November 2020 Telkom tried for a second time with launching its own video service when TelkomONE was launched into which Telkom again poured hundreds of millions of rand.

Barely two years later in November 2022 Telkom decided to get rid of TelkomONE and abruptly shuttered it and sold it off to the SABC for the South African public broadcaster to create its SABC+ streamer.

Streaming bundling future

MultiChoice had the same idea as Telkom a few years ago but MultiChoice's attempt has not fully come to fruition - although in America studios, broadcasters and video service providers are realising they need to aggregate streamers and are trying to come up with new consumer bundling approaches and offerings.

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO, in 2021 said the traditional satellite pay-TV service would work to become a "one-stop shop" and a "super aggregator" for video entertainment services like streamers. 

Over the past three years MultiChoice has added third-party streaming apps through DStv like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and the recently shuttered BritBox but that's where its efforts stalled. 

Warner Bros. Discovery's Max isn't available in South Africa yet, and Paramount added its Paramount+ not as a stand-alone streamer in South Africa like elsewhere in the world but as a studio tile folded for free into MultiChoice's own Showmax streamer with a limited Paramount+ title offering.

Other global streamers like Apple TV+ and local streaming services are also not available on, or through DStv. 

In the United States, consumers who have had to subscribe to four or five different streaming services are cutting back as streamers from Netflix to Disney+ are aggressively hiking subscription fees, adding ads, and making it much more expensive to be a subscriber than when they launched.

Media companies, legacy pay-TV services and content providers like Disney are trying to figure out how to offer bundled streaming services where they don't cannibalise other offerings but provide consumer value in a way where they can drive sustained subscriber growth and profitability, while it also makes sense as a bundle.

Earlier this year Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney with its ESPN and Fox announced they would start a joint sports streaming service Venu which has quickly become mired in a court battle.

The South African public broadcaster says smart watches don't require a SABC TV Licence.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster says smart watches don't require a SABC TV Licence.

The clarification comes after rumours spread online this week that the SABC now requires TV licences for smart watches.

After a similar online hoax spread in May 2023, the SABC stated that a SABC TV Licence is not required for a car radio. Now South Africans have been threatened that they need a licence to buy, wear and use a smart watch.

"The SABC can confirm its fake news and that a TV Licence has never been a requirement to purchase a smartwatch," Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, says in response to a media query.

A staggering 87% of South African TV households on the SABC's TV Licence register no longer bother to pay their annual SABC TV Licence fee of R265.

The South African government and the department of communications and digital technologies have been stalling for years to get rid of the SABC TV Licence system in its current form and to replace it with a better system.

France got rid of its TV licence in 2022 and the BBC in the United Kingdom is on track to end its TV licence fee in 2027.

A+E Networks rebrands as Hearst Networks EMEA.

by Thinus Ferreira

A+E Networks for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, known as A+E Networks EMEA, has rebranded as Hearst Networks EMEA which is fully owned by Hearst.

The international broadcaster which operates across the United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, is fully owned by Hearst and will now operate under the new name of Hearst Networks EMEA.

Hearst Networks EMEA will continue to be comprised of four unique companies: Hearst Networks UK, a long-standing joint venture with Sky operating across the UK, Nordics, Benelux, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; Hearst Networks Germany, Hearst Networks Italia, and COSMO Spain, each of which is wholly owned by Hearst.

Dean Possenniskie, Hearst Networks EMEA managing director, says in a statement "We are proud to unveil our new company name as we continue to provide the best in quality factual entertainment and share important stories with audiences throughout EMEA".

"We look forward to building on our success at Hearst and shaping a positive future for all our premium services."

Hearst Networks EMEA operates channels like The History Channel (DStv 186) which is carried on MultiChoice's DStv, and other channels like Crime + Investigation which used to be on DStv.

MultiChoice's Showmax to carry SuperSport's PSL content on its mobile-only package.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax will carry SuperSport's Premier Soccer League (PSL) content on Showmax's mobile-only plan.

According to Showmax, all upcoming PSL matches - 380 in total - will be available on the Showmax Premier League package which is mobile only. 

All PSL matches will be streamed live on Showmax's mobile-only plan - including major cup competitions such as the Carling Knockout Cup, MTN8, and Nedbank Cup.

The PSL's Betway Premiership kicks off on Saturday 14 September with 16 clubs competing.

Mato Madlala, acting PSL CEO, in a statement says "This is a game-changer for South African football. Bringing Premier Soccer League football to Showmax is a huge win for the PSL and our supporters. This partnership opens new doors for fans to enjoy the sport they love, wherever they are".

Marc Jury, Showmax CEO, says "We’re thrilled to offer South Africa's most popular football league to our customers. The combination of the Premier League and the PSL on our powerful live-streaming platform represents extraordinary value".

Paramount Africa refuses to explain anything as BET Africa's cash-crashed Queendom from Clive Morris Productions restarts filming after shutdown and payment failure scandal.

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa's cash-crashed telenovela Queendom on BET Africa which was forced to shutter at the end of May has lurched back into filming while Paramount executives and producers refuse to come clean about the behind-the-scenes upheaval that left the telenovela's cast and crew unpaid for months.

Paramount Africa was forced to switch to repeats of Queendom from 22 July, just four months after its debut on BET Africa (DStv 129)  after Clive Morris Productions ran out of money to film and even to pay cast and crew.

New episodes of Queendom will now start on 23 September with no explanation from Paramount Africa or Clive Morris Productions where the money came from to restart the embattled production that saw cast and crew forced to sell possessions to buy food while a crew member couldn't pay for a parent's funeral after a funeral policy lapsed due to non-payment.

Paramount Africa and BET Africa boss Monde Twala are remaining silent on the unpaid crew and cast production scandal of Clive Morris Productions' Queendom.

Monde Twala, Paramount Africa senior vice president and general manager and BET International lead, didn't respond to an interview request made a week ago through Paramount's South African PR firm Total Exposure. 

A media query with questions to Paramount Africa, also made last Wednesday through Total Exposure has also been ignored.

Clarity was sought from Paramount Africa on when filming for Queendom restarted and until when filming will continue, where the bridge financing now came from, who sourced the financing, how many more episodes will be produced, as well as how many of the former and original cast and crew have been able to return and who are no longer available.

Natalie Mdladla, Paramount senior director of communications, likewise ignored a media query in August seeking answers on why Paramount Africa allowed filming to start on a production before the money to make a show for BET Africa was 100% secured. 

She was also asked who at Paramount authorised pre-production and principal photography to start, and why Paramount again worked with CMP after the same cash issue caused a shutdown of ISONO.

According to Paramount Africa "Queendom makes a regal return on 23 September at 18:30 with a royal showdown as Prince Andile finally confronts his brother King Banzi about the throne". 

The show that has been airing reruns in the timeslot will resume with four new episodes weekly from 23 September from Mondays to Thursdays.

Linda Mtoba in the role of Ntando is one of the cast returning to the show, noting in a press statement that she is "thrilled that Queendom is returning to screens this September, taking the drama and intrigue to a whole new level, and I can't wait for fans to see how these powerful storylines unfold."

Other crew and actors have quit and left like Sindi Dlathu and Themba Ndaba who signed up for e.tv's Isipetho produced by Black Brain Pictures, while Queendom cast and crew have still not been paid in full the overdue money they're owed. 

In the statement, Monde Twala, who was seen hosting a cocktail party for producers last week at the MIP Africa 2024 TV market in Cape Town, only notes that "Local content is an important pillar for our audiences and we are committed to meeting this demand with impactful storytelling that resonates on a global scale".

Cascade failure explained

After the Queendom implosion, MultiChoice has also taken away Empini – done for its Showmax video streaming service by Clive Morris Productions – where crew members also went unpaid and reassigned it to Crystal Pics and Nomusa Mzima to complete the 52-episode series.

Queendom started out as a co-production, with BET responsible for half of the investment, which was fulfilled by BET Africa and Clive Morris Productions responsible for the other 50%.

According to CMP, a backer pulled out that would have paid its 50% towards the production costs, but it's unclear why pre-production and filming started before the funding was fully paid over.

Insiders told TVwithThinus that the trifecta of MultiChoice, Paramount Africa and Clive Morris Productions (CMP) should all share the blame for what happened to Queendom and the dire and shocking financial situation it plunged the show's committed cast and crew into.

According to them, the Queendom cascade implosion happened like this: MultiChoice placed tremendous pressure on Paramount Africa to maintain a contractual local content quota for BET Africa whereby Paramount must produce and air a number of local hours per year on the channel.

Paramount Africa, under pressure to adhere to its local content contract with MultiChoice or face stiff penalities, went ahead to strip local hours of Queendom which it allowed CMP to start producing, even though CMP didn't have all the money for the production in the bank.

Clive Morris Productions, which wanted to retain a stake in the ownership of Queendom, started filming the series despite not having its share of co-funding in the bank account, after which a funder suddenly decided to no longer invest in the show.

This derailed and collapsed production of Queendom when Clive Morris Productions, after filming had already started, failed to get the money required when the investor no longer wanted to pay.

In mid-April – by which time Paramount Africa was well aware that CMP had funding issues, that Queendom was struggling and that the cast and crew were not getting the paid – Paramount Africa and BET went ahead to launch Queendom with a splashy media event at Kings Kraal in Bryanston, Johannesburg for some media. 

Behind-the-scenes however, the Queendom cast and crew who were putting up a brave face, were already angry and distraught over the impossible production conditions, delayed payments, as well as Clive Morris Productions' ongoing promises that they would get paid.

"Typically shows like telenovelas and soaps are commissioned by TV channels and financed 100% by the channel. Queendom wasn't," a producer on the show explained.

"Clive Morris Productions entered into a deal where an onus was on them to raise a significant portion of the production costs, which are far too onerous for most producers. Very few production companies, if any, would be able to raise that capital for a show of this size like Queendom."

"I had never heard of such an arrangement in the context of a telenovela. They exist for films or a very short miniseries. Prior to any minute of any footage being filmed all the money should have been in the bank. That wasn't the case, hence we find ourselves in the position we're in."

ALSO READ: Paramount Africa's Queendom on BET shut down with cast and crew unpaid by Clive Morris Productions as MultiChoice's Showmax also gives Empini to another producer.

ALSO READ: Paramount Africa silent over unpaid Queendom crew and cast and why BET signed off for filming to start on Clive Morris Production show that didn't have production money fully in the bank.

Former SABC COO Ian Plaatjes fights 'hidden agenda' firing over SABC+, reveals conflict with CEO.

by Thinus Ferreira

The former SABC COO Ian Plaatjes is fighting his firing after he was axed in June over a controversial and secretive ad revenue share agreement with an external provider for the SABC+ streaming service.

Ian Plaatjes claims he was let go on fabricated charges by the broadcaster "to get rid of executives like myself".

He now reveals that as SABC COO, he and the former SABC CEO have been involved in in-fighting with Madoda Mxakwe who conducted "numerous unlawful forensic investigations" against him, which led to Plaatjes filing a grievance case against Mxakwe.

Ian Plaatjes and Merlin Naicker, the public broadcaster's former head of video entertainment, were both fired in June this year after they were found guilty in a disciplinary hearing of withholding information about an advertising revenue sharing agreement with Discover Digital that runs SABC+ on the public broadcaster's behalf.

Ian Plaatjes has now taken the SABC to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) over his June dismissal, saying he was fired because of SABC "hidden agendas" to get rid of executives like himself.

Unknown publicly until now, there had been executive in-fighting between the SABC COO and SABC CEO, with Ian Plaatjes who filed grievance charges against former SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe.

Ian Plaatjes now reveals that "The grievance which I had initiated against Madoda Mxakwe in 2023 was never properly finalised or communicated to me" and that his "grievance related to the numerous unlawful forensic investigations that were conducted against me".

"It points to the motivation for the fabricated charges which were brought against only Merlin Naicker and me and which directly resulted in our dismissal."

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, told TVwithThinus in response to a media query "The SABC can confirm that this matter is before the CCMA and will allow the CCMA process to take its course and for an appropriate finding to be made under the auspices of the CCMA".

Ian Plaatjes says he has "full confidence that the CCMA process will vindicate my conduct" as SABC COO and will "overturn the findings of the disciplinary hearing and show that charges brought against me were fabricated by the employed, motivated as they were by nefarious objectives".

According to Ian Plaatjes, his CCMA hearing on 12 September will be shown online and will be "an opportunity for the public and the media to get to the truth in the contract between the SABC and Discover Digital, and the actual reasons why the SABC wanted to get rid of executives, including myself".

"Merlin Naicker and I had sought agreement with the SABC on two occasions for the disciplinary hearing to be open to the media, as we have nothing to hide and we believe that it is in the public's interest to have access to the facts of the matter. The SABC opposed our request and the chairperson of the hearing, Prof Takalani Madima subsequently ruled against our request".

Ian Plaatjes says Prof Takalani Madima "accepted the SABC's version and found that I was guilty on one count each of gross dishonestly, failure to act in the best interests of the SABC and of violating the conditions of my suspension by communicating with the media". 

"At the heart of this matter, which will now be adjudicated by the CCMA, is whether or not I submitted a business plan regarding SABC+ which did not disclose a 7.5% share of the advertising revenue that would be garnered from the plan, between the SABC and Discover Digital".

Ian Plaatjes says that the costs were "transparent and known to all SABC executive committee members "prior to the approval of the SABC+ business plan on 10 October 2022 and a revised business plan on 7 November 2022 - including Lungile Binza, the SABC's head of technology who is currently the SABC acting COO.

"He was also personally responsible for validating these costs. All the SABC witnesses testified to this in the disciplinary hearing - evidence which was ignored."

He says "The 7.5% cost was also contained to the cost of the digital advert that was replaced and not the total cost of the revenue generated from SABC+."

Ian Plaatjes notes that "For the duration of the Discovery Digital agreement, ending in November 2023, the Castoola software was never used and therefore no costs were incurred and paid to Discover Digital related to the 7.5% clause. The SABC's charges against me are therefore not based on any facts and the reality of what occurred, but a fabricated scenario which never occurred".

Ian Plaatjes says that the SABC's disciplinary hearing against him and Merlin Naicker came "at a time that the public broadcaster is technically bankrupt. The taxpayer cannot foot the bill for the SABC's wasteful decisions with hidden agendas".

Ian Plaatjes reveals "There were numerous forensic investigations conducted against me.  None of these had the SABC board's approval nor were they conducted by independent forensic auditors".

"Madoda Mxakwe merely instructed Katlego Mpepu [SABC group executive for internal audit] and Fhatuwani Sibanda [then SABC forensic investigations manager] to conduct numerous unjustified forensic investigations against Merlin Naicker, Reggie Nxumalo [SABC ad sales boss] former and myself".

"These baseless investigations amount to irregular expenditure as well as fruitless and wasteful expenditure."

"My grievance against Madoda Mxakwe was submitted to the SABC board on 19 May 2023 and was conducted by an external legal firm on 24 June 2023. However, the outcome report was never shared with me, despite my numerous requests, including on the day of my suspension, 7 February 2024."

"This sequence of events clearly violates the SABC's own HR disciplinary processes and procedures," he notes, adding that "the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing chose to totally ignore this issue".

MultiChoice Namibia to host inaugural MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 with panel sessions and content screenings.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Namibia will host its inaugural MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 on 28 and 29 September at the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals and cinema enthusiasts for panel sessions and content screenings in Windhoek.

The MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 is a first for Namibia and for MultiChoice. 

The MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 will showcase productions created under the MultiChoice Namibia local content banner - Ombura - and feature a line-up of screenings, discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and interactive experiences.

The festival's Saturday line-up features various panel sessions offering insights into what it takes to create content in Namibia, ranging from "Nambia to the world: Building resilience and in local entertainment" to Ombura challenges, a film finance workshop, an info session on the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), and a conversation by SWIFT Namibia. 

Screenings range from Penda's Dilemma and Op Pad met my Potjie, to Okalila, The Funeral, The Goal, and a documentary entitled Walvis Tale.

"With a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and narratives, the festival promises to captivate audiences, while creating an exciting platform that not only tells Namibian stories but also celebrates productions from our local content project, which will be showcased on our DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms this October," says Roger Gertze, MultiChoice Namibia managing director.

The Sunday will be an open day fun day filled with live music, fun activities, and an open-air film screening of a Namibian film.

"The MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 intends to nurture, develop, and empower the local industry, providing a seminal platform for seasoned and emerging filmmakers alike," Roger Gertze says.

"Alongside the premieres of the latest feature films, the MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 will showcase the work of young talent with a diverse series of productions made with the MultiChoice Namibia financial assistance and mentorship."

Pirate Waka TV wacked with another arrest as MultiChoice promises 'more raids on illegal resellers'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Another alleged pirate involved with the illegal streaming service Waka TV was arrested on Friday as part of a nationwide crackdown on internet streaming piracy in South Africa by the police and MultiChoice's anti-piracy department.

The person arrested on Friday in connection with the broader Waka TV piracy network, allegedly provided an illegal internet streaming device giving unauthorised access to SuperSport content.

In June MultiChoice and the police did a sting of the illegal Waka TV piracy network that the pay-TV operator said led "to the arrest "of a key suspect involved in one of the most extensive pirate operations in Africa".

Friday's suspect was arrested in Germiston on charges of theft, fraud, money laundering, and violations of South Africa's Cyber Crime Act 19 of 2021.

MultiChoice says the suspect has been identified as an alleged reseller connected to Waka TV, "one of the most notorious piracy rings currently operating across Africa".

"During the operation, the authorities seized various items, including an alleged illicit streaming device, banners advertising unauthorised sales of DStv Premium content, and a mobile phone containing the contact details of several individuals who allegedly paid for the illegal service."

The police also uncovered detailed financial records linking the suspect to another high-profile target. Investigators have now broadened the scope of the investigation, with authorities expecting further arrests related to this network."

The suspect has appeared in court with a bail hearing set for 16 September.

Frikkie Jonker, the director of broadcasting cybersecurity and anti-piracy at the MultiChoice-owned Irdeto, says more raids on resellers and outlets linked to Waka TV are imminent "as law enforcement intensifies efforts to dismantle the sprawling piracy operation".

"Friday's arrest marks another significant step in our ongoing battle against digital piracy in South Africa. We are actively tracking additional targets connected to Waka TV, and the message is clear: Those participating in this illegal network will be brought to justice," Jonker said.

TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK: From 'Neflix' to 'Tatkiek' the NFVF is secretly doing a shocking disservice to the SAFTAs.

by Thinus Ferreira

I didn't sleep at all last Wednesday night - ask the people who for instance got emails from me at 3am in the morning - as I sat like a Rumpelstiltskin and had to spin a 39-page PDF of awful, mistake-filled SAFTAs nominees hay into publishable gold.

With all due respect: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and its acting CEO Thobela Mayinje and the South African Film and Video Awards organisers have no idea and don't seem to care about the shocking damage it keeps inflicting on its own shoddily done awards and the way it keeps embarrassing instead of building South Africa's film and TV industry.

Does Anyone at the NFVF and the anonymous SAFTAs jury actually watch television? 

I'm asking, because you're calling Netflix "Neflix" and the kykNET comedy series Taktiek which is one of the most-nominated shows this year constantly "Tatkiek".

None of you noticed, bothered, cared or apparently read or checked your own documents - which makes me doubt everything you claimed you've watched, to choose the nominees.

I watch television and the multiple mistakes immediately jumped out at me, as they do every year. I've covered the SAFTAs since its very first year.

For this year's nominees announcement you once again couldn't bother with alerting the media and sending out an advisory, or calling journalists, that you'd be sending out and releasing the nominees list - you just suddenly dump an awful, mistake-riddled document on them.

There is no advisory, no nominees media briefing, no SAFTAs briefing, no proper SAFTAs media PR or dedicated SAFTAs publicity, and yet you probably wonder why there isn't actual coverage or more coverage of your awards (that taxpayers are paying for).

The only way I managed to get an embargoed list on Wednesday night last week is because of a publicist at a broadcaster (bless her soul!) who happened to alert me two weeks ago with a "Did you the NFVF plans to release the nominees this date?" 

If not for that, and not for her, I too would have been blindsided like the rest of South Africa's media that the 18th SAFTAs nominees were going to be dumped on us as a 39-page document that takes hours and hours to type and format and fix and get print ready.

Why is it that the PR teams of America's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the Oscars and the Television Academy doing the Emmys communicate with South African journalists and media more and better than what the NFVF does about the SAFTAs? It's a crying, disgusting shame.

Because you don't know or care, Redemption on Paramount Africa's BET channel is just "DStv".

Because you're clueless that the nominated City Beasts: Cape of Chaos is a People's Weather show, you just put "DStv" (although it's just shown on DStv, but also shown on eMedia's Openview). 

The same with Snakes in the City and Legends of Venom which are both National Geographic productions (you just go with the place-filler DStv).

Why is there no discussion ever, no interaction ever, no asking media ever: How would you like an awards show nominees list? In what format? On what date with an embargo if we plan to release the list on such-and-such a date? 

Why do you send a list but nothing visual like a photo? Have you ever seen a long article or a nomination article about an awards show anywhere without a picture of it?

Why must media who bother to call or need to phone, call the NFVF's landline and be put through a switchboard? Do your people who are getting paid to deal and communicate and liaise with media not want to really be bothered by media? It's 2024 and you do landline with media. Think about it.

Take a close look at the embarrassing document you've sent the media. 

It's "MNET" and then "Mnet" and "Mnet 101" and everything literally besides "M-Net" which is correct; and "kyknet" and "KYKNET" and "Kyknet"and "KykNet" - basically every single permutation besides "kykNET" which is the correct one. 

And is "Neflix" supposed to be Netflix?

The 18th SAFTAs nominees list goes from "LIFEOFJS" to "LifeofJS", and Amazon Prime (it's Amazon Prime Video or Prime Video - Amazon Prime is a subscription membership), to random CAPITAL LETTERS for 17 FILMS and DIPRENTE and others that become 17 Films and Diprente later.

The word "Tatkiek" which never existed, now exists on the internet - all thanks to you NFVF and SAFTAs (and the media that shamelessly copied and pasted your mistake-riddled list and press release and didn't check anything or didn't have time and wrote about TV but doesn't actually watch nominated shows).

How do you come up with the weird line spacing and the line justification that keeps jumping from left to full and back in the nominees document?

The entire way the NFVF as an agency of South Africa's department of Sport, Arts and Culture, "announces" SAFTAs nominees is inadequate, amateurish and extremely damaging to the industry it supposedly tries to elevate. 

It shows a lack of care, a lack of international industry know-how and best practices, and a lack of even the smallest attempt to try and find out, learn, and to do better and improve.

While nobody says anything, take my word for it: South African media everywhere are fed up (those who still care and haven't disengaged and given up). South African broadcasters and streamers are all irritated - they just won't say so publicly in order to maintain relationships.

And South Africa's producers, production companies, actors and people working their behinds off, and then trying and hoping for a nomination or maybe a Golden Horn, are superbly disappointed year after year in the tragic display the NFVF calls the SAFTAs nominees and SAFTAs awards ceremony broadcast. 

It's really way too late to get your act together. Start doing it better. Start doing it right.

And just a final question: What is happening with the 18th SAFTAs next month dear NFVF? 

As media, we know nothing. As in ... NOTHING. We heard about the date ... yesterday when you put it in a press release. Call us please - even if you have to use the landline.

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

ALSO READ: Netflix 59, kykNET 58: A nominees tally break-down and why the 18th SAFTAs will be a red and blue letter throwdown.

Netflix 59, kykNET 58: A nominees tally break-down and why the 18th SAFTAs will be a red and blue letter throwdown.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix South Africa and kykNET are the two biggest nominee drivers of 2024's 18th South African Television and Film Awards with the red letter streamer earning 59 nominations and the blue K grabbing 58 nominations.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) released the nominations for the 18th SAFTAs last week. The awards ceremony was originally scheduled for September.

I've reliably learnt that the 18th SAFTAs has been pushed out by a month because the date clashed with MultiChoice's upcoming DStv Delicious Festival 2024 set for 21 and 22 September and that the NFVF and MultiChoice decided not to put on duelling events competing for public interest at the same time.

The 18th SAFTAs has now moved its technical and craft awards to 25 October which will be shown on YouTube, with the main awards which will be broadcast on 26 October on SABC3 and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

While Netflix SA got the most nods, M-Net as a Randburg-based content hub - not the TV channel - got the most nominations.

If the nominations of programmes shown on SuperSport like Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story, nominations from M-Net (DStv 101) content like the second season of its Lioness drama series and Carte Blanche, as well as nominations for M-Net produced TV channels like 1Magic, Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu are added to kykNET's tally, the M-Net division surpasses Netflix with the most nominations this year.

The staggering over-performance of kykNET content - and specifically Afrikaans TV content within the overall number of SAFTAs nominations - become even more impressive when the nominations of Showmax Originals in Afrikaans like Trompoppie and Dam are added. 

Media24's VIA lifestyle channel on DStv also have a few nominations (3) for TV shows, further adding to the bulk of Afrikaans nominations at this year's SAFTAs.  

Streamer-wise MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax has 38 nominations, with its Cape Town-filmed Canal+ co-production Spinners largely shut out and snubbed with only three nominations. Spinners also wasn't eligible to enter the Best TV drama category since the lead production company is French.

Disney+ managed one nomination for its Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire animation series, with Amazon Studios that earlier this year decided to abruptly stop further production of any local South African and African continent that grabbed 11 nominations.

The South African public broadcaster got 39 nominations for the content across its channels - including for Primedia Studios' The Masked Singer on SABC3. 

The SABC likely could have added to its tally but Word of Mouth Pictures producing Muvhango and Danie Odendaal Productions that produced the cancelled 7de Laan, are two of the production companies that again snubbed the NFVF and didn't enter for the awards.

eMedia's e.tv grabbed 17 nominations, with Cape Town TV (CTV) which was the only community TV channel to get a nod with its single nomination for The Heart of Cape Town in the category for best achievement in sound in a documentary.

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

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK: From 'Neflix' to 'Tatkiek' the NFVF is secretly doing a shocking disservice to the SAFTAs. 

A Carte Blanche presenter claims City Power technicians tried to solicit a bribe which the utility disputes.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Carte Blanche presenter Govan Whittles took to social media to claim that City Power Johannesburg technicians cut off electricity and tried to get a bribe to reconnect it, something which City Power disputes.

UPDATE: See City Power's response which has been added to this article.

On Wednesday last week the Carte Blanche presenter Govan Whittles decided to go public on social media and on X, formerly known as Twitter, and directly told City Power Johannesburg that one of its "technicians disconnected our electricity illegally and asked for a bribe to switch it back on".

That is after Govan Whittles' family had been without electricity for days last week.

Govan Whittles also blasted the utility for its lack of communication, saying "you're not responding to my messages or allocating our ticket number".

City Power Johannesburg responded and within a day the electricity to Govan Whittles' house was reconnected. 

On social media Whittles said that "teams came out and reconnected our power supply. Thank you to councillor Sarah Wissler - the Joburg city manager and Allister from City Power for attending to this matter urgently".

"I'm very grateful to the Johannesburg city councillor and officials and City Power Johannesburg management who helped me get this power issue sorted. But I know most of us in this city can't get things done through tweeting. We need to expose them together".

Govan Whittles tells me "the incident actually happened while I was on a shoot in Cape Town".

"Someone made me aware of the attempt to solicit a bribe at my home. This follows an extended period of difficulty with City Power – not just at my residence, but also for many other residents in our street. I think many South Africans can relate to the same type of frustration that spurs you on to want to tweet about it – which is what I did."

Similar to what Carte Blanche does on M-Net (DStv 101) on Sunday evenings at 19:00, City Power has now started an investigation into the bribery charges.

"Since City Power has now launched an official investigation, I can't comment much more on the specifics," Govan Whittles says.

"However, everything that Carte Blanche stands for translates to our daily life. No matter how big or small, we will always shine a light on injustices and wrongdoing - even in our personal capacity. This incident serves as another example of exactly that."

UPDATE: Thursday 12 September 2024 20:40pm:

A City Power spokesperson says "We confirm that the incident in question involving a complaint publicized on X, Govan Whittles, was reported to City Power and the following was uncovered during preliminary investigation.  A relative of Mr Whittles logged an outage."

"Our technicians were dispatched on 3 September 2024 to attend to the call. When they arrived at the customer's premises, they conducted their investigation, which involves meter audit, as standard practice, to establish possible causes of the logged outage."

"The technicians soon realized that the customer's power supply was off because it had been disconnected for a failure to pay an outstanding electricity bill amounting to R71,064.36."

"At that stage, the customer, who knew about their debt to City Power, had not made any prior arrangement in the form of a signed Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD)."

"This is worrying because despite the fact that the customer knew that supply was cut off due to an unpaid bill, they cited a false reason when they logged a call to City Power." 

"In line with our standard operating procedures, the technicians informed the customer that power would remain disconnected until the debt was settled, or a suitable repayment arrangement was made with the City of Johannesburg (COJ)."

"Our technicians did not solicit or accept any bribes. According to their account, the owner of the property is the one who offered a bribe (R50 for each and a pack of 6 unspecified drinks) in an attempt to convince technicians to reinstate supply. I emphasize that this remains an allegation by the technicians."

"The customer subsequently made arrangements with COJ and made a downpayment of R10 000 and signed an AOD. Power supply was then restored on 5 September 2024, following a reconnection call." 

- This article's original heading was updated from its original "When a City Power technician tried to bribe a Carte Blanche presenter".

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