VIA adds bilingual Goeiemôre, Good Morning as 4-day live breakfast show from 14 April

by Thinus Ferreira

Media24's Afrikaans lifestyle TV channel VIA (DStv 147) is adding a new morning show in English and Afrikaans, Goeiemôre, Good Morning from Monday 14 April.

Goeiemôre, Good Morning, produced by CoolerBox Brothers with Barry Pretorius as executive producer and director George van Rooyen, will run with four episodes per week from Mondays to Thursdays from 6:30 to 7:30, and will repeat 10:00 to 11:30, and again in the afternoons at 14:00. 

As a bilingual breakfast show, Goeiemôre, Good Morning is joining a very crowded TV market.

The timeslot is already over-subscribed with other shows like perennial timeslot ratings leader Morning Live (SABC2), Expresso (SABC3), The Morning Show (e.tv), Die Groot Ontbyt (kykNET), The South African Morning (eNCA) and AM Report (Newzroom Africa).

Goeiemôre, Good Morning will cover entertainment, lifestyle, world events, sports highlights and entrepreneurship with presenters Rozanne McKenzie, Elsa Esterhuizen and kykNET's former Kwêla presenter Pieter Koen who left for the United States with his family but has returned after just a few months. Thys van Zyl will give financial tips.

George van Rooyen says "I have worked with Rozanne and Pieter before and know them as extremely hard workers with great personalities, and Elsa will round off our trio perfectly. This dynamic team is ready to make a lasting impression."

Elsa Esterhuizen says "Goeiemôre, Good Morning is an interesting and fresh take on a South African breakfast show – especially because both Afrikaans and English viewers will be able to join us in the mornings".

"I remember immediately wanting to be a part of it when the team approached me and told me that their idea was similar to the concept of my favourite television series, The Morning Show." 

She references the Apple TV+ drama series with Jennifer Aniston, not e.tv's breakfast show.

"It's also a first for VIA and I'm therefore looking forward to building on this exciting and fresh concept and being part of its development in collaboration with a phenomenal, dynamic team."

Barry Pretorius says the show's "approach, concept and content are from the outset totally focused on our people, who they really are, what they love and the absolute inclusivity of Afrikaans".

"As our language celebrates its centenary this year, this breakfast programme is a clear beacon that Afrikaans will continue to exist inclusively."

Pieter Koen who is back in South Africa four months after emigrating to the United States, says the presenters' team "bring our unique style and personality to the programme and we hope that viewers will find it appealing".

ARB orders MultiChoice to pull misleading DStv upsell advertisement

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has been ordered to stop a misleading advert in which the pay-TV operator claimed that DStv subscribers could pay R100 to upsize their packages - although DStv subscribers with contracts actually don't qualify and just month-to-month customers.

The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) that a MultiChoice ad is likely to mislead DStv consumers, that MultiChoice breached a clause in the advertising code of conduct, and ordered MultiChoice to withdraw or amend the its advertising with immediate effect.

A DStv contract customer complained about MultiChoice's upsell advert, who responded to the advert and paid R100, "only to find out like myself that we do not qualify".

"The advert is not transparent enough to explain that those that are under contract or price-lock do not qualify for the promotion" the complainant told the ARB. "Not even once in the advert do they mention that people will be duped and make an immediate payment and not qualify".

MultiChoice denied that the advert was misleading and told the ARB that the "campaign is aimed at exposing lower package subscribers to higher packages by making an upgrade to higher packages, cheaper, for a limited period".

MultiChoice claimed that a consumer "who is in an ongoing relationship with the advertiser would be expected not to limit themselves to the wording of the advertisement but to examine further whether the terms of the ongoing relationship are applicable to the offer or whether the terms and conditions of the offer do include or exclude them".

According to MultiChoice "the subscriber who is on a fixed-term contract for the DStv Compact package pays a monthly subscription fee of R399 a month. The DStv Premium package on contract is R899 per month."

"The difference between applicable fees on these two packages is R500, yet the offer requires the consumer to pay only R100 to upgrade from R399 to R899 package instead of R500."

MultiChoice stated that "A reasonable consumer in the position of the complainant would be expected to consult both the terms and conditions for the offer, as well as terms and conditions for their current package to confirm whether they are eligible to participate".

"Furthermore, the contract packages are already discounted and therefore as a rule and practice they are excluded from the special offers that provide further discounts," MultiChoice said.

The ARB noted that MultiChoice's advertisement "does not make any distinction between the different types of the Access subscribers and the Directorate believes that it is not far-fetched for the complainant to have understood that the wording applies to their subscription as well."

"The Directorate also notes that the unlimited claim 'Add R100 extra to your Access subscription and upsize to Compact' does not clarify that it is only for month-to-month subscribers."

"It is a long-standing principle that one cannot, in the terms and conditions, correct a misleading impression already created in the advertising. In other words, if an advertisement states 'Available to all Access decoder customers' the T&Cs can't then say 'except all the ones on a fixed-term subscription."

MultiChoice and France's Canal+ expect to clear regulatory hurdles in the way of Canal+'s aggressive takeover in October

Thinus Ferreira

The MultiChoice Group and Canal+ SA on Tuesday said the companies are on track to clear all conditions in October 2025 of the French company's aggressive takeover deal of the South African pay-TV operator.

MultiChoice and Canal+ have pushed later their so-called "long stop date" from 8 April to 8 October.

In February MultiChoice and Canal+ revealed that they have devised a new structure to get MultiChoice South Africa to pass various regulatory hurdles preventing majority foreign ownership of a local South African media company.

MultiChoice will be restructured so that the current holder of the broadcasting licence in South Africa and the part that contracts with South African subscribers - MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd or LicenceCo - will be carved out of the MultiChoice Group and will be ringfenced as a seemingly independent entity.

The rest of MultiChoice's video entertainment assets will remain part of the MultiChoice Group which doesn't have a licence but supplies content. 

LicenceCo will therefore continue to hold the subscription broadcasting licence in South Africa, and it will continue to contract with MultiChoice’s South African subscribers.

Canal+ and MultiChoice must secure approvals for the mega-takeover deal from Icasa, the Takeover Regulation Panel, South Africa's Competition Tribunal, shareholders, the Financial Surveillance Department and adhere to other requirements like black-economic empowerment (BEE) and with Canal+ not have voting rights of more than 20% as mandated by the Electronic Communications Act.

ALSO READ: In its aggressive takeover bid Canal+ will carve and spin out MultiChoice's broadcast licence in South Africa and DStv subscibers as 'Licence Co' as MultiChoice Group keeps video assets

SABC News TV channel adjusts schedule with serial channel hopper Thembekile Mrototo co-anchoring The Full View prime time

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC News (DStv 404) TV news channel adjusted its schedule from 1 April 2025 with channel hopper anchor Thembekile Mrototo now once again back at the public broadcaster to co-anchor The Full View prime-time block between 18:00 and 21:00.

On 1 April, and asked again after that, the SABC was asked in a media query about the SABC News changes for information about the channel's line-up changes. No information on anything from SABC News as a TV channel was forthcoming a week later when this report was published.

On Sundays, Thulasizwe Simelane anchors The Week Ahead on SABC News between 12:00 and 15:00. He is also the face of Week in Review on Saturdays between 12:00 and 15:00.

Morning Live, simulcast on SABC2 and SABC News, remains on weekdays between 6:00 and 9:00, co-anchored by Leanne Manas and Sakina Kamwendo.

Ayanda Nyathi anchors The Agenda block between 9:00 and 12:00 on weekdays.

After the implosion of Paula Slier and Trevor Bester's Newshound company that did the short-lived News1 streaming channel for Sentech's Freevision Play and had plans to also do a Brics Global TV News (BGTN), Juliet Newell who was an anchor there, is now on SABC News anchoring On Point on weekdays between 12:00 and 15:00.

Unathi Batyashe anchors the SA Today block on SABC News between 15:00 and 18:00.

The Full View block between 18:00 and 19:00 is now co-anchored by Bongiwe Zwane and the serial channel hopper Thembekile Mrototo who keeps revolving, leaving and returning between eNCA (DStv 403), SABC News, Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) and who is now once again back at SABC News for another stint.

Clement Manyathela anchors Face the Nation on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 20:00 and 21:00.

Mfundo Mabalane and Mpho Sithole are the co-anchors of The Late Edition block on weekdays on SABC News between 21:00 and 23:00.

The SABC3 English TV news bulletin, Prime News at 20:00, is suddenly co-anchored by Becky Motumo and Paulette Kaise. There's been no information to the media about this from the SABC or SABC3.

MultiChoice Namibia grows local content slate with further series, film and documentary commissions as Ombura-project enters second phase

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Namibia is growing its local content slate under the project's "Ombura-named umbrella with further new series, film and documentary commissions.

So far, 19 films, a lifestyle series and a documentary have been produced for DStv, GOtv and MultiChoice's streamer Showmax. 

In September 2024, MultiChoice Namibia also started and held its first MultiChoice Film Festival in Namibia to showcase new local content and to provide local filmmakers a place to meet, interact and have conversations.

The Ombura-project which is entering its second phase, is part of MultiChoice Namibia's effort to expand its slate of local content and Namibian stories.

The lifestyle coming series Op Pad Met My Potjie which was seen recently on kykNET (DStv 144) with presenter Joalette de Villiers travelling throughout Namibia, has been renewed for a second season.

Bora Box which will premiere on Channel O, is a new music request show showcasing Namibian music and artists.

Crossover Hearts is a new romantic film directed by MultiChoice Talent Factory alum Lucia Kim Hamunghete which follows a young couple from different cultures battling prejudices and family expectations.

Desert Film's The Long Road details the life of a struggling factory worker who has been abandoned by his pregnant wife and attempts to redeem himself, while Oppiplaas is a romantic drama about a city girl launching a social media business and who then reluctantly takes on a struggling farmer as a client.

The Afrikaans environmental magazine show Groen Namibië has been renewed for another season on kykNET.

Then there is also the feature film My F*k, Marelize, also produced by kykNET Films and inspired by a viral video from Namibia, which will be shown on kykNET.

Another documentary will also be produced.

"This year, we continue our commitment to hyperlocal storytelling with productions that reflect the culture, language, and realities of our audiences," says Rogert Gertze, MultiChoice Namibia managing director.

"Beyond storytelling, we are actively investing in the future of African film and television by training, funding, and supporting the next generation of local talent because when Africa tells its own stories, the world listens."

Esther Beukes, Namibian Film Commission chairperson, says "On behalf of the Namibia Film Commission, a huge thank you to MultiChoice Namibia, and this phenomenal team. Your investment in our industry isn't just about making TV, it's about making history."

ALSO READ: Inside MultiChoice's push to expand Namibia's kykNET content

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Namibia to host inaugural MultiChoice Film Festival 2024 with panel sessions and content screenings

Comic Con Africa 2025 in Johannesburg kicked to August due to other Nasrec event and renovations

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African organisers of this year's 2025 Comic Con in Johannesburg have been forced to move it from September to August due to the conference centre no longer being available and to "protect the interest of its fans and the event".

Comic Con Africa 2025 will no longer take place in September in Johannesburg but has now been pushed a month earlier with cosplayers who will don their finest from 28 to 31 August at the Johannesburg Expo Centre at Nasrec.

Comic Con Cape Town will still go ahead as planned from 1 to 4 May in the Mother City's Cape Town Convention Centre (CTICC).

The organisers now say the date and month change for the Johannesburg event is because of another event taking place at the venue in September. They are however unwilling to say what Red Hulk exactly kicked Com Comic Africa from September to August. 

South Africa is set to host the G20 summit in November and this specific convention centre happens to currently be busy with extensive renovations for whatever event is hiring the space during September and got Comic Con Africa 2025 kicked forward.

"This change is unavoidable due to a major international event taking place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre which will be announced in the media shortly," says Mogul Media who organises the South African Comic Cons. 

Carla Massmann, show director, says "Comic Con Africa's fans often plan months ahead of time to attend the con, and travel from all around South Africa to get there. Comic Con's incredible fans are the reason behind everything we do".

"We offer our sincerest apologies to them should this date change be an inconvenience.

"Our incredible fans have been the backbone of the festival since 2018. Whilst we are disappointed that we must change the dates of our 2025 festival, the Johannesburg Expo Centre is the perfect home for Comic Con Africa and so changing the venue was not an option."

"A festival of Comic Con Africa's complexity requires a large venue with multi-usage spaces that can accommodate all of the many aspects of the festival."

"And of course, when you have over 70 000 people in attendance, the size of the venue is of key importance. The Johannesburg Expo Centre has the capacity and the space we need to accommodate our high volume of fans."

"We are excited to see the results of the renovations, and we believe the upgrades will positively contribute to our fans’ experiences at Comic Con Africa in future editions.”

Comic Con Africa 2025 will still showcase and include gaming and eSports tournaments, cosplay, tabletop gaming, fandom merch, anime and manga, comics, trading card games, as well as film and series personalities, panel and Q&A sessions, screenings and interactive experiences.

Comic Con Africa 2026 is envisioned to again take place during September next year.

No April's Fool joke: Huawei SA launches the Mate XT that folds in three at astronomical R70 000

by Thinus Ferreira

At an eye-watering recommended retail price of R70 00, Huawei has launched its concertina-like Huawei Mate XT in South Africa that takes the "flip-phone" design rebirth another step further by folding in three.

The Huawei Mate XT priced at R69 999, or from cellular operators for roughly R3000 over 36 months and the Huawei Mate X6 priced at R45 000, or from cellular operators at roughly R1600 over 36 months, can now be bought in South Africa. 

The big question however is: Do you really need a phone that flips open like a Chinese paper fan?

Huawei SA touts the Huawei Mate XT as "the world's first tri-fold smartphone" that comes with a massive 10.2-inch tablet-sized display that can snap shut to still be "pocket-friendly". 

According to the maker, the dual-SIM Mate XT that comes in red or black, is "an inventive device that is set to redefine the way South Africans work, play and stay connected".

Huawei says the Mate XT has an "advanced precision hinge system". The device "achieves seamless synergy between the hinge and screen through meticulous mechanical calibration and extensive testing with micron-level digital twin models".

The phone that has a has a 5600mAh battery comes with "multidirectional folding" - which means the three parts can fold both inwards and outwards.

But why on earth three screens in what seems to be a new flip-phone arms race?

"The Huawei Mate XT offers three views in one experience," says Huawei. 

"In single screen mode, it excels at efficient information processing. In dual-screen mode, it's ideal for effortlessly browsing news and emails."

"The triple-screen mode is perfect for both entertainment and productivity, delivering an immersive user experience."

Chef Ruben Riffel to sauté and sail with visiting MSC Magnifica between Gqeberha and Cape Town

by Thinus Ferreira

Chef Ruben Riffel will whip up delectable cuisine aboard an MSC ship for a second time, when he boards the MSC Magnifica that is making her maiden call in Walvis Bay after anchoring in Gqeberha and Cape Town.

After Ruben Riffel boarded the MSC Poesia last February to create a curated menu for passengers between Gqeberha and Cape Town when that ship visited South African waters, MSC asked Ruben Riffel if he was interested in returning for the MSC Magnifica that is visiting South Africa and Namibia for the first time this month as part of the ship's 2025 world cruise.

In response to a media query, MSC South Africa tells me that its partnership with Ruben Riffel is similar to last year's project for the MSC Poesia's world cruise in 2024 when that ship visited locally.

"The iitinerary was very successful and his three-course authentic South African menu was very well received by the international guests onboard."

"When it came time to do a similar project for the same local leg of MSC Magnifica's world cruise 2025, naturally, for MSC Cruises he was a top consideration for this. That and the fact that his accolades speak for themselves as a notable local restauranteur and chef."

It is the first time ever that the MSC Magnifica will anchor in two South African ports and one in Namibia, with Ruben Riffel who will cook for passengers in the sailing between Gqeberha and Cape Town.

The ship will visit the ports of Gqeberha and Cape Town on 14 and 16 April before sailing to reach Walvis Bay in Namibia on 18 April.

The MSC Magnifica can carry 3 223 passengers in 1 259 cabins and has 11 bars and lounges, 5 gourmet restaurants, a spa, indoor and open-air pools, a "4D" cinema and a 1 200 seater theatre. The ship started her journey on 18 January and includes port calls in Florida, Chile, Australia, Senegal and Italy.

Ross Volk, MSC Cruises South Africa managing director, says "MSC Magnifica’s stops in Africa highlight MSC Cruises’ growing confidence in the region’s ability to accommodate and support its ships".

"Cruise passengers from around the world eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore these sought-after destinations. With 3000 international visitors on board, MSC Magnifica will provide a significant boost to local tourism, bringing valuable economic benefits to communities through onshore spending."

He notes "It's also exciting to see increasing interest from local travellers in our international cruises".

Ruben Riffel says that he "enjoyed working with the MSC Cruises team tremendously last year" and that he "can't wait to work alongside the chefs on board and to treat the passengers to some local Cape flavours".

His menu this year will have a seafood starter with flavours of spice synonymous with Cape cuisine.

"Then we will have lamb and a beautiful gorgonzola polenta with a rich red wine just before ending with a South African favourite, malva pudding.”

MSC SA told me its still too early to comment on the current 2024/25 South African cruise season but will have more information about it soon. 

"The MSC Musica, which returned to the country for a second season with the first being in 2019, was very well received by the local market. For this season, the MSC Musica carried over 90 000 passengers out of Durban and Cape Town, with 65% of passengers being women."

According to MSC SA, MSC Musica completed a total of 32 sailings with a mix of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 12-nights itinerarie with destinations that ranged from the Portuguese Island, Pomene, Port Louis, La Possession, Cape Town, Walvis and also included the "Flock to Sea" charter to Marion Islands.

SABC's weekend Afrikaans TV news bulletins on SABC2 abruptly disappears without warning over the first weekend of April 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

The Afrikaans TV news bulletins disappeared this past weekend from the SABC, without any prior warning or explanation, with no Afrikaans TV news bulletin on Saturday 5 April, nor Sunday 6 April, on SABC2 at 18:15, or any other SABC TV channel at any other time.

There was no warning before the weekend started from the SABC or to viewers that there won't be any Afrikaans TV news bulletins on Saturday or Sunday.

On the evening of Friday 4 April, SABC2 Afrikaans TV news reader Willem Pelser at the end of the SABC Nuus broadcast only said "enjoy the weekend". 

The previous Friday Willem Pelser at the end of that Friday's broadcast still said "we greet you until tomorrow evening", meaning Saturday.  

A year ago, the SABC removed the Afrikaans TV news bulletins from SABC2 and decided to place these on SABC3 during the week and in the late timeslot of 20:30, and on weekends on SABC2 at 18:15 - a move that was highly criticised by viewers.

The 5 and 6 April weekend marks the first weekend of the month, and April was also the start of the South African public broadcaster's new financial year.

On social media a SABC viewer like Beatrix on Saturday asked: "SABC2, Why is there no Afrikaans news tonight? I'm not paying my TV licence again!! #SABC2fail ".

It's as yet unclear whether the Afrikaans TV news bulletins SABC Nuus on SABC2 over a weekend have been cancelled permanently from April, whether it's absence is a once-off, or what the reason for its sudden and unexplained absence is. 

When the SABC provides an explanation, it will be added here.

UPDATE Tuesday 8 April 2025 12:15pm: The SABC has just issued a press statement:

"The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) wishes to address concerns arising from the non-broadcast of the Afrikaans television news bulletin this past weekend. We acknowledge that the bulletin did not air in its regular time slot on Saturday and Sunday, and we confirm that this was a scheduling error. This should not have happened."

"As management, we are treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves, and consequence management processes are currently underway to address the internal oversight that led to this unfortunate incident."

"We want to assure the public and our stakeholders that there is no plan or decision to discontinue or deprioritise Afrikaans news."

"The Afrikaans television news bulletin continues to air as scheduled from Monday to Friday, and the weekend bulletin will also continue in its regular time slot going forward."

"Afrikaans remains an important part of our public broadcasting mandate, just as all South African languages are. The SABC is committed to providing equitable access to news and information in all official languages."

"The SABC is actively working on a broader content and scheduling strategy aimed at strengthening our language offering, including Afrikaans. This process is part of our new financial year’s content strategy and will be communicated more fully in due course."

"We acknowledge the deep concern this weekend’s error has caused, particularly within Afrikaans-speaking communities. We extend our sincere and heartfelt apology to the South African public, and especially to those who felt aggrieved by this disruption."

"In closing, we reiterate: Afrikaans news has not been discontinued. Afrikaans News currently broadcasts at 20:30 Mondays - Fridays on S3. Weekend Afrikaans bulletins will continue in their current time slot, 18:00 on Saturdays and Sundays on SABC 2. The SABC remains committed to all languages as part of its constitutional and public service mandate."

"We appreciate the continued engagement from the public, civil society organisations, and political parties, and we remain open to further dialogue in the spirit of transparency and inclusivity."