SABC News staffers in Free State and Northern Cape furious over news editor's alleged corruption and girlfriend nepotism

by Thinus Ferreira

SABC News staffers in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces are furious over what they describe, in a grievance letter, as the alleged corruption, favouritism and nepotism of regional news editor Mangaliso Radebe.

The staffers emailed a grievance letter to SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli on 11 December 2024, detailing their shocking complaints and allegations, including how Mangaliso Radebe had allegedly been victimizing and intimidating workers.

The staffers note that they made use of the SABC's anonymous corruption line but that no follow-up happened, and that they also informed Moshoeshoe Monare, the former SABC News boss of the case but that he also allegedly did nothing about the matter. 

Moshoeshoe Monare left the SABC in December 2024.  

In the letter, SABC News staff also claim that Mangaliso Radebe had employed a girlfriend as his personal assistant, although she got a bad score during a job interview.

"When this post was advertised and people were shortlisted, Ms M did not make the cut as one of the interview candidates. Mangaliso opposed the list and insisted that M be included as a person from Northern Cape and she was included in the second candidate list. She performed the worst of all candidates during interviews".

The woman apparently didn't know anything about the SABC's operational procedures or systems but was employed over candidates who do and who faced retrenchment.

Mangaliso Radebe allegedly also used his SABC laptop so that the woman could prepare for the job interview in the SABC's regional office in Kimberley.

"One guy in the SABC in Northern Cape was ordered to make sure that the connection during interviews does not fail. The above allegations can be proven easily through getting interview records on matrix since the interviews were done online, as to how each candidate was scored," the staffers write in their letter.

Mangaliso Radebe is now apparently exiting the SABC in June.

"Most avenues within the SABC as an organisation cannot be trusted. We are coming to you as a last resort. We trust that you will consider this as a matter of urgency and assist," the staffers told Nomsa Chabeli.

Mmoni Ngubane, SABC spokesperson, told TVwithThinus in response to a media query, "The SABC would like to categorically state that there are no issues pertaining to human resources that are swept under the carpet as alleged".

"The SABC is guided by its human resources policies and prescripts to address any concerning matters. As a matter of principle, the SABC is under no obligation to discuss any matter relating to an employer-employee relationship with the media."

"There are duly constituted forums and committees for the SABC to discuss human-resources related matters."

The SABC didn't respond to the question of whether Mangaliso Radebe is leaving the SABC in June.

SuperSport drops broadcasting rights for Zambia Super League

by Thinus Ferreira

SuperSport has dropped the broadcasting rights for Zambia Super League and will not renew it after the end of the current 2024/25 season in May.

Zambia is one of the countries, like Nigeria, where MultiChoice Africa is battling to try and stem DStv subscriber losses in weakened African economies ravaged by extreme inflation and sliding local currencies.

SuperSport in a statement notes that in its "quest to grow Zambian domestic football, made considerable investments into the league and the football community, as well as upskilling local talent, which also grew the capacity of the country's live sports broadcast industry – ensuring production teams consisted of a majority of Zambian citizens".

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha, in a prepared quote, says "This partnership with the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is one we are very proud of".

"SuperSport has invested considerably in the upliftment of Zambian and African football as a whole. We remain Africa's biggest broadcaster and we are proud of the contribution we have made to Zambian football and the growth of live sports broadcasting as an industry in the country."

"Looking back from where we started in 2007, and with the skills we have imparted to the local economy, sportspeople and the community, we believe we are leaving the league in a better place."

 
Andrew Kamanga, FAZ president, in the same statement, says "We understand that the global industry changes, in addition to local socio-economic factors such as rising costs and load-shedding have impacted the MultiChoice and SuperSport business".

"Although the 18-year broadcast rights partnership concludes at the end of the current 2024/25 Zambia Super League season in May, we appreciate the professional manner in which the matter has been handled by both entities."

SuperSport says besides the statement with prepared quotes it "will not be making any further statements on this matter at this time".

ZEE Africa launches Zee Dunia channel in Kenya in Swahili and English

by Thinus Ferreira

ZEE Africa has launched the ZEE Dunia channel in Kenya, offering dubbed Indian shows in Swahili and English.

ZEE Dunia launched on 10 March and will offer Kenyan viewers a mix of dramas, movies, local programmes and international news.

According to ZEE Africa, the programming for ZEE Dunia will be "thoughtfully curated to reflect the vibrancy, aspirations and values of Kenyan audiences".

ZEE Dunia joins the collection of Zee Africa channels like ZEE World, ZEE Zonke, ZEE Alem, ZEE Zonke, ZEE One, ZEE TV, ZEE Family and ZEE Bollymovies in English, isiZulu, Hindi, French, Swahili, Hausa, Amharic and Oromiffo languages carried across 52 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. 

Zee Dunia is available in both Swahili and English.

Content at launch on ZEE Dunia includes Marriage of 3, Number 1 Daughter-in-Law, Forever Friends, Dark Secrets, and My Life My Beat.

Content boss Tracy-Ann van Rooyen jumps from Disney Africa to head up MultiChoice's Showmax content strategy

by Thinus Ferreira

It's a homecoming of sorts for the South African content topper Tracy-Ann van Rooyen who has jumped from her programming perch at The Walt Disney Company Africa to MultiChoice's Showmax where she is now the the new executive head of of content strategy for the streamer since February.

The watch-a-lot programming executive spent years at M-Net and MultiChoice before she jumped to The Walt Disney Company Africa in July 2021 and took up the role of senior manager for programming and scheduling.

After three and a half years she is back at MultiChoice but will now oversee MultiChoice's content strategy for its Showmax streamer.

Previously at M-Net - first as head of programming for M-Net's set of local entertainment channels and then as head of acquisition and scheduling for M-Net series - the influential and tele-friendly exec amassed vast experience and a deep contact list of connections across content distribution and scheduling, formats, as well as local and international production.

Tracy-Ann van Rooyen now permanently fills the Showmax head of content position in which M-Net premium exec Nicola van Niekerk held the fort in an acting capacity since the middle of last year.

Nicola van Niekerk was the acting Showmax content boss in the wake of Allan Sperling's exit at the end of April 2024 to become the programming boss for Warner Bros. Discovery for the Nordics region in Europe since November.

At The Walt Disney Company Africa the programming and scheduling department is for the time being managed by the current internal team.

In response to a media query about Tracy-Ann van Rooyen's appointment, MultiChoice tells TVwithThinus "Tracy-Ann van Rooyen has been appointed executive head of content for Showmax, a role centred on strategic content development".

"This position expands upon the foundation laid by Nicola van Niekerk, who previously served as acting head of content. Nicola has since transitioned to acting executive head of programming for general entertainment."

"With over two decades of experience in the television industry, Tracy-Ann has a proven track record in creating, producing, acquiring, and curating content for diverse audiences across the African continent. In her new role, she'll assist the team to continue delivering top-tier content experiences for our customers."

"Her appointment, which commenced on 1 February 2025, reflects MultiChoice's strategic emphasis on strengthening its content leadership with great expertise, ensuring the delivery of high-quality and well curated content."

Next week at 2025's 7th Joburg Film Festival in Sandton, Tracy-Ann van Rooyen is set to be one of the speakers at the 3rd JBX content market running concurrently.

She will be a panellist on Wednesday morning for a session looking at Showmax's subscriber growth and talk about the streamer's content strategy, sharing various learnings on how audiences consume content on video streaming platforms.

Peu Communications resumes Skeem Saam filming after Sasani Studios fire, set damage unknown

by Thinus Ferreira

Peu Communications has resumed filming of the SABC1 weekday soap Skeem Saam after filming shut down following an on-set fire that saw two crew members injured and hospitalised.

Sasani Studios in Highlands North in Johannesburg belong to eMedia Holdings, with Peu Communication Solutions that is the production company renting space on the lot where Skeem Saam is filmed.

Sasani Studios is also home to other shows like e.tv's Scandal! and kykNET's Diepe Waters.

The Sasani Studios fire broke out on Saturday 22 February.

Sumaja Mogola, Skeem Saam publicist, told TVwithThinus that Skeem Saam resumed filming on the Tuesday thereafter on 25 February.

"A part of the studio was damaged, however we were still able to resume our usual shooting scheduling. We don't have a timeline, nor do we have the costs incurred with regards to the repairs."

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, didn't respond to any media enquiries which were made since last week and this week about the Skeem Saam fire, when filming would resume, which sets of the show were damaged, and what the extent of the fire damage is.

eMedia Holdings last week told TVwithThinus in response to a media query that the fire at Sasani Studios "is an ongoing investigation and we cannot comment at this time".

MultiChoice Zambia hikes DStv fees by up to over 18% from April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zambia will hike DStv and GOtv monthly subscription fees by up to over 18% from April 2025.

From April, MultiChoice Zambia is hiking DStv Premium by 17.6% from K1420 to K1670, while DStv Compact Plus subscribers is getting a massive increase of 18.4% from K920 to K1090.

DStv Compact is increased 18% from K610 to K720, with DStv Family increased 18.3% from K410 to K485.

DStv Access is increased 16% from K220 to K255, with DStv Lite increased 17.8% from K140 to K165.

GOtv Supa+ is increased 18% from K610 to K720, GOtv Supa is increased 16% from K375 to K435, while GOtv Max is increased 18.3% from K300 to K355.

Zambia and Nigeria are MultiChoice Africa's two biggest problem markets where worsening economic conditions, coupled with weakened currencies and rampant inflation have seen an increase in churn and subscriber losses.

MultiChoice Botswana increases DStv fees up to over 7% from April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Botswana is increasing subscription fees for DStv between 2% and up to almost 8% for subscribers from April 2025.

MultiChoice Botswana is increasing DStv Premium by 4.2% from P825 to P860, while DStv Compact Plus is increased by 1.7% from P585 to P595.

DStv Compact is increased by 3.4% from P435 to P450, while DStv Family is increased by 5.3% from P280 to P295.

DStv Access is increased 7.6% from P130 to P140, while DStv Pula is increased 6.2% from P80 to P85.

MultiChoice Botswana says "Africa's most-loved storyteller has reflected on the rate of consumer inflation and current economic pressures facing Botswana when considering our price adjustments, which will come into effect as of 1 April 2025".

MultiChoice Namibia is losing 49 subscribers daily who cut the cord over high prices and Netflix as it hikes DStv fees up to 8% from April 2025 and blames inflation

by Thinus Ferreira

As MultiChoice Namibia gets ready to hike prices from April 2025 and blames inflation, Namibia's broadcasting authority has revealed that MultiChoice Nigeria is losing 49 subscribers daily in that country who are cutting the cord due to the high subscription fees and competition like Netflix.

Namibia's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN), in its latest sector report, indicates that MultiChoice Namibia has shed a combined 35 578 DStv and GOv subscribers between the start of 2023 and the end of 2024.

This means that MultiChoice Namibia over the past two years has lost 49 subscribers daily.

According to the regulator, MultiChoice Namibia has seen an 11% decline in the satellite pay-TV operator's total subscribers in the country in the 4th quarter of 2024.

"This may be attributed to the recent increase in subscription fees and growing competition from streaming platforms like Netflix," the regulator notes in its Q4 broadcasting sector report.

From April 2025, MultiChoice is hiking DStv fees in Namibia by between 6% and just over 8%.

This is MultiChoice Namibia's second price hike in less than a year, after it hiked prices in September 2024.

MultiChoice Namibia is hiking DStv Premium by 6% from April from N$985 to $1045 - crossing the psychological threshold of $1000 per month for its top-end package for the first time ever. 

MultiChoice Namibia is increasing DStv Compact Plus 5.9% from N$675 to N$715, while DStv Compact is increasing 6% from N$495 to N$525.

DStv Family is increased 6.7% from N$370 to N$395, while DStv Access will increase by 8.5% from N$175 to N$190.

DStv Lite - the cheapest package - is getting a price decrease from N$110 to N$60, making it 45% cheaper.

MultiChoice Nigeria blames inflation in the country for the increase of between 6% and 8%.

"Africa’s much loved storyteller has taken into account the current rate of inflation and economic pressures facing Namibians when considering our price adjustments," says MultiChoice Namibia.

Nigeria's consumer protection agency drags MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe to court for defying order not to implement 22% DStv price hike

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigeria's consumer protection agency is dragging MultiChoice Africa's Nigerian division to court over its 22% DStv price hike - MultiChoice Nigeria's second price increase in the struggling West African country in a year.

Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) ordered MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO John Ugbe to halt the company's 22% price hike that came into effect from March and in late-February was summoned to an "investigative hearing".

Nigeria's FCCPC which hasn't gone after other private commercial companies in Nigeria that have also jacked up its prices due to Nigeria's ongoing worsening economic environment and weakening local currency, in a statement slammed MultiChoice for defying its "order" not to increase its prices.

"MultiChoice Nigeria had been expressly directed by the FCCPC on 27 February 2025 to maintain its current pricing structure for DStv and GOtv pending the conclusion of an examination of its proposed price hike."

"However, despite this directive, the company proceeded with its price increase on 1 March 2025 in clear defiance of the commission’s directive."

"Following this blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offences for willfully obstructing the commission's inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives," the FCCPC noted in a statement.

"The commission views MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate and calculated attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection afforded under the law."

"By disregarding the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing before the commission's investigative hearing on 6 March 2025, MultiChoice has not only flouted regulatory processes but also demonstrated a pattern of conduct that undermines consumer rights and fair competition," the FCCPC says.

It's not the first time MultiChoice Nigeria has ignored Nigerian government orders not to go ahead with price increases and not the first time MultiChoice Nigeria has been dragged to court over price increases.

Over the past number of years MultiChoice Nigeria has been singled out several times by Nigerian politicians and agencies over its price hikes.

Yet, numerous private companies trying to do business in Nigeria's struggling economy with rampant inflation have been forced to increase prices for their goods and services regularly.

Besides the FCCPC, Nigeria's House of Representatives also called on MultiChoice not to go through with its latest price hike, passing a resolution during a sitting on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv subscription fees for the second time in a year by over 22% from March 2025

ALSO READ: Nigeria's consumer protection agency summons MultiChoice Nigeria CEO to explain looming 22% DStv price hike at urgent 'investigative hearing'

MultiChoice Malawi hikes DStv and GOtv subscription prices by up to over 22% from April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Malawi is hiking prices by up to over 22% for DStv and GOtv in the Southeast African country from April 2025.

In a notice MultiChoice Malawi sent to DStv and GOtv subscribers, the satellite pay-TV service says it will increase prices from April.

MultiChoice Malawi is increasing the monthly DStv Premium subscription fee from April by 20% from K115,000 to K138,000, while DStv Compact Plus is increased by 18.4% from K76,000 to K90,000. 

DStv Compact will increase 20.2% from K49,500 to K59,500 from April.

The price of DStv Kufewa - the cheapest DStv package in Malawi - will increase 20% from K11,500 to K13,800.

MultiChoice Malawi is increasing GOtv Supa+ by 20.2% from K49,500 to K59,500.

MultiChoice Malawi is hiking its GOtv Supa package by 19.7% from K35,500 to K42,500, while GOtv Lite is increased by 22.2% from K4,500 to K5,500.

MultiChoice Nigeria similarly hiked prices for DStv and GOtv in Nigeria from March by an astounding 22% as well.

Under threat of collapse South Africa's film industry pickets and demands department of trade and industry to fix the broken film rebate system

by Thinus Ferreira

South African filmmakers say the industry is flashing red, with the country's film and TV which "is on the brink of collapse", demanding that the government urgently fix South Africa's broken film rebate system.

Hundreds of film biz workers who are members of the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective, Independent Producers Organisation (IPO), Animation SA, South African Film Empowerment, Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) and others picketed last week Thursday.

They are extremely concerned over failures at the department of trade, industry and competition (DTIC) and held a public protest at the DTIC's Tshwane campus where a memorandum of their grievances and demands were handed to the government department.

With South Africa's film rebate system that continues to be a shambles, filmmakers demand that the DTIC account for the money budgeted through Treasury to support and build the country's crumbling film and TV industry, as well as an investigation into misgovernance of funds.

"The industry is under threat of collapse, with thousands of people's livelihoods at stake of being lost," says Ayanda Sibisi, IPO interim secretary-general.

In a memorandum handed to chief director Justice Ngwenya just week, the group slams the DTIC for its "lack of response to the industries previous engagements", that there are "pay claims that have been overdue for more than 18 months, some 24 and others 36 months" and demanding the "Expediting of approval of outstanding applications, many of which have been delayed for over 10 months".

"The last adjudication committee meeting was held in February 2024. The DTIC have since continued to receive applications, without approving them thus creating more backlogs which needs to be remedied," the group says.

Producers say that the industry had made collective submissions in previous years to the DTIC of which none have ever been addressed.

"We want detailed explanations when claims are not fully paid out as per approved amounts in the approval letter. We are calling on the minister to sanction a full external investigation into maladministration of the incentive by the DTIC and to get to the bottom of how this once well-functioning incentive has fallen into disrepair and mismanagement."

"We demand to see the statistics the DTIC have on record on the incentive scheme since its inception namely the amount of funds assigned to each different scheme over each of the years the scheme has been operational."

"Our aim is not confrontational but constructive and productive engagement for the benefit of the industry's growth, and broader social and economic development for the country."

"We seek a functional and systematic rebate that supports economic growth and ensures a sustainable future for our industry and the potential it has to create jobs, draw in tourism and foreign direct investment, and enhance our national pride."

Film rebate maladministration

Ayanda Sibisi told TVwithThinus "we have tried for over a year to reach out to the DTIC and its officials just to have a conversation and understand the grounds why, for example, there is a delay in payments and why there isn't adherence to the guidelines."

"The key thing for us is the DTIC has not had any adjudication meetings for over 10 months. It basically means that no project is going to be greenlit, or not project can get any sense of can they continue filming. That means jobs can't be generated and it damages the economy and industry."

"There are also delays with payments. The DTIC is still battling to make back payments from 2023."

Sibisi says "the big issue is about the maladministration and the systems".

"If you look back between 10 to 15 years, South Africa's film rebate system was working".

"Again, if you are trying to reinvent the wheel, it doesn't work. There are at least 120 countries using the same type of incentive. If it's working for at least 120 countries, why would you then think it's specifically not working for, or in, South Africa, if previously it has worked?"

"Again, if there is any sort of justification from the department to say this is because of this or that reason, we would then be required to say 'prove it to us in terms of an economic study as well as stats'. Because without that, there is no clear justification around for example why they feel that South Africa's film and TV industry is not contributing to the South African economy - which we do."

TVwithThinus reached out to the DTIC for comment on the industry's complaints and demands. 

The DTIC said it had no response.

Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts (40) dead after losing battle against cancer

by Thinus Ferreira

Actress Crystal-Donna Roberts has died after losing her battle against stage four breast cancer. She was 40.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who has been in hospital for a period of time battling cancer, died early on Thursday morning in her sleep at home.

Her husband, Schalk Cornelessen who she married in October 2015, on Thursday morning said "Rest in peace my beautiful, beautiful, loving wife".

Crystal-Donna Roberts was known for her role of Janice Mortlock in the soap Arendsvlei on kykNET (DStv 144) and won a Safta award in 2018 for her portrayal of Krotoa in the Krotoa 2017-film. 

In 2019 she revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy after she felt a lump in her breast in March 2018. She also quit smoking.

After her mastectomy, cancer cells had spread to her certain glands, for which she got chemotherapy and lost her trademark hair.

Crystal-Donna Roberts who grew up in Cape Town, got her BA degree in drama and theatre at the University of the Free State after which she returned to Cape Town where she was a drama teacher at a school before her career as an actress took off.

Besides six seasons of Arendsvlei she was a field presenter on SABC2's Pasella and appeared in SABC2's 7de Laan soap as Janine.

Other TV roles included Die Boland Moorde, Die Byl, Die Spreeus, Fraksie, Fynskrif, Karavaan, Kompleks, Mense Mense, Montana, Projek Dina, Getroud met Rugby, Vloeksteen, Swartwater as well as Vallei van Sluiers.

In film she had roles in Die Ongelooflike Avonture van Hanna Hoekom, Skeem, Chronicle, The Endless River, and Tussen As en Hoop.

On stage she appeared in Little Shop of Horrors, Bidsprinkaan, Rome & Juliet: Unplugged, Rondomskrik, and Siener in die Suburbs.

Film producer Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films, says "We at Penguin Films are devastated by the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts - an absolute professional, modest despite her unique and exceptional talent".

"Her portrayal of Krotoa, for which she garnered a Safta for Best actress in a feature film, was monumental and the reason the film gained so much international recognition."

"Her portrayal of Janice in Arendsvlei, for which she received two Safta nominations, was loved by all - feisty, sexy, yet deeply emotional."

"Having worked closely with her over several years, I witnessed her struggle with cancer. Throughout her treatment, she was determined to work - her innate strength and commitment were extraordinary and admirable."

"She will be missed by her colleagues and by all the South African viewers who loved her. Her legacy will live on through her body of work. Rest in peace, dear Crystal. Deep, heartfelt condolences to her family and those closest to her."

kykNET in a statement says "We share in the sorrow over the passing of Crystal-Donna Roberts, a remarkable actress known for her award-winning role in Krotoa and her gripping portrayals in Arendsvlei and Fynskrif".

"Our thoughts are with her husband, family and everyone who loved her during this time. Her talent and passion leave an indelible mark on our hearts".

More to come ...