by Thinus Ferreira
The multi-hyphenate producer-presenter Anele Mdoda says South Africa's TV and film industry requires a strong South African public broadcaster that doesn't fail and an SABC that is successful.
Anele Mdoda spoke at the Primedia Studios-sponsored Women in Entertainment breakfast held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) where she was the keynote speaker and addressed a room of women who attended the MIP Africa 2024 TV market.
"We need a SABC. We need to work together to ensure that the SABC not fail, survives, works and is successful," she noted.
"The BBC in the United Kingdom - the national anything - the vehicle through which we speak to the most people in South Africa - it is our job as creatives and as women in this industry to ensure its success. Regardless of whether anyone or anything is in competition with the SABC or not," she said.
Through her Rose and Oaks Media production company, Anele Mdoda in partnership with Primedia Studios is producing a localised format version of The Masked Singer SA as well as Ready, Steady, Cook for SABC3.
Primedia Studios is also doing Wheel of Fortune SA, Deal or No Deal SA, and a new season of MasterChef SA through Homebrew Films for the SABC TV channels.
"The people and places at the top are not competing. They are collaborating," Anele Mdoda said.
"This is how Primedia Studios gets into a deal with the SABC. Everyone was 'How is Primedia Studios there with SABC which is the enemy?"
"Jonathan Procter who is our CEO, simply said 'We are going to make content as Primedia Studios and we are going to give it to the SABC and we're going to sell it, and we're going to make money and we're going to help get the SABC out of its rut because if the SABC collapses then all of us are also done."
"Look at MultiChoice - who can we talk to over there? We've got this thing. Can we do this there? Give us that and we'll do it there or here. This whole thing of 'We don't talk to each other' - it won't take any of us anywhere," Anele Mdoda remarked.
"Put your hands up if you've worked at one media place your entire career. Put your hand up if you've worked at more than one media place in your career," she said as many hands went up.
"If you do things where you block people from doing something, you're cutting yourself off. Do not worry about what you're not. Surround yourself with the people who do it the best. It's an orchestra. It's an ensemble."
"We're all good. We are all playing different instruments. Pick up your instrument and shine at that. Don't worry about the harp if you're not the harp. Don't worry if you're not the violinist. Go where you are skilled and piece it all together and then everyone is going to succeed."