by Thinus Ferreira
The SABC doesn't want to explain why Pimville on SABC2, its replacement for the cancelled Muvhango, failed to start in August and has now been shifted to February 2026, while the scandal around not paying people what they're owed by its controversial production company Bakwena Productions, continues.
In May, Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, told parliamentt that ""Come August, we are launching a new telenovela called Pimville on SABC2, and based on that we will be really driving that audience share back to SABC2. We're working hard to ensure that the script is relevant for the audiences and that the storyline is going to be effectively doing what we need it to do."
Pimville failed to start in August, or in 2025.
Nomsa Chabeli never spoke about Pimville again and gave no further update.
Since August the SABC was asked repeatedly in media queries about Pimville's delayed launch but didn't respond.
Pre-production on Pimville started in January after the SABC decided it was finally done with Muvhango.
Meanwhile, there are new reports of Bakwena Productions not paying people. It's unclear why the SABC decided to give Bakwena Productions work when the public broadcaster is aware that Bakwena Productions has a problem paying people what they are owed.
Bakwena Productions is owned by Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe.
Service providers claim they are still owed over R200 000 for the failed Pound 4 Pound drama series that Paramount African commissioned from Bakwena Productions for BET Africa (DStv 129).
Sipho Hlatshwayo, a transport provider who worked on Pound 4 Pound, has now also come forward to say he and two drivers are owed hundreds of thousands of rand by Bakwena Productions. Bakwena Productions was served with a letter of demand.
Last week Tuesday, the SABC had a Pimville "cast reveal" media event in Johannesburg for the show that is no longer called Pimville Queens.
Media were invited only on the Friday before with several unable to attend due to the short notice. The SABC's event held at Piano Hub in the Pimville township was for Johannesburg media only.
The SABC distributed nothing of what was said by whoever at the media event, like cast members, SABC or show executives, or what happened at the media event, afterwards, making it's impossible to report on any of that.
On 13 November, SABC publicist Caroline Phalakatshela, the media liaison person working on Pimville, was asked why Pimville is now starting in 2026 after the SABC said it would start in August. There was no response.
Caroline Phalakatshela was then asked again the same thing again, with again no answer from the SABC after Caroline Phalakatshela said she would "revert ASAP".
In a supplied quote after the Pimville media launch event, Dichaba Phalatse, SABC Video Entertainment marketing manager, says "At SABC2, we are committed to telling stories that reflect the heartbeat of our people".
"Pimville is not just a telenovela - it is a mirror of our society, capturing its struggles, dreams, and triumphs. We believe this series will deeply resonate with viewers and reaffirm SABC2 as the home of authentic and inspiring local content."
Rashaka Muofhe, Bakwena Productions executive producer, in a prepared quote in the same statement, says "Pimville is a love letter to the township spirit - raw, vibrant, and enduring".
"We wanted to craft a show that not only entertains but also honors [sic] the resilience, beauty, and power of our communities. Bringing this story to life with SABC2 has been a true privilege."
The Pimville cast includes Gail Mabalane, Matli Mohapeloa, Thapelo Mokoena, Keke Mphuthi, Mondli Makhoba, Michelle Mosalakae, Fulu Modibedi, Clementine Mosimane, Jesse Suntele, Eve Rasimeni, Sipho Ndlovu, Mandla Gaduka, Thabo Malema, Charmaine Mtinta, as well as Lillian Dube.
