by Thinus Ferreira
The former SABC executive Maijang Sam Mpherwane has returned to the South African public broadcaster after 8 years to head up its video entertainment division, replacing the fired Merlin Naicker.
Lala Tuku has been the SABC's acting group executive for video entertainment since Merlin Naicker was fired a year ago in July 2024.
Maijang Mpherwane quit the SABC 8 years ago and now heads up the SABC's video entertainment division from August 2025.
Lungile Binza, SABC COO, says "Maijang Mpherwane's extensive expertise in content strategy, public broadcasting, media financing, and regulatory oversight positions him to lead the video entertainment division with innovation, integrity, and strategic vision".
"The SABC board, executive management, and staff are confident that he will continue to drive the growth and success of our video entertainment portfolio."
Previously at the SABC Maijang Mpherwane was a SABC1 commissioning editor, SABC1 assistant rogrammes manager and SABC1 channel boss, as well as general manager for general entertainment channels.
During his SABC tenure SABC1 launched shows like Skeem Saam and Uzalo.
Maijang Mpherwane sat on the board of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) from December 2020 to August 2024 and was a member of the Film Incentive Adjudication Panel for 3 years which oversees approval of qualifying local and international productions for the department's rebate programme.
Maijang Mpherwane has a BA degree in dramatic art from the University of the Witwatersrand, a postgraduate diploma in management practice, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business.
