Michelle Botes (62) loses battle against blood cancer

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African actress Michelle Botes, known for several iconic roles including that of Isidingo's Cherel de Villiers-Haines died this morning after losing her battle against a rare form of blood cancer. She was 62.

In July 2022 Michelle Botes was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma, a rare and incurable type of blood cancer that attacks bone marrow.

In October her cancer count increased drastically and her health deteriorated the past few weeks.

While doctors gave her three months to live she was hoping to undergo new types of holistic cancer treatment in January 2025.

"Michelle was an icon in our industry," says her agent Suzi Howes. "She took her craft seriously and was passionate about performing. She was filled with grace and had a beautiful spirit."

She was married to Ian Roberts until their divorce in 1999 and the pair had two children, Cara and son Daniel.

In 2023 she won an award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in the category Best actress in a telenovela for her role of Angelique in M-Net's Legacy.

"It's very sad that Michelle became ill," Ian Roberts told me today.

"Two and a half years ago she underwent the whole chemotherapy thing. After the chemo she told me it was absolutely horrible and that she won't do chemo again."

"Her health improved somewhat but then the cancer returned. She said 'I'm going my own way now. It's tragic that we lost someone like Michelle."

"She was a talented actress and a fantastic mother to our children. It's very, very sad."

Since 2022 until her death Michelle Botes lived with her son Daniel, and his wife, in Observatory in Cape Town.

During her career of over four decades she appeared in several theatre roles, as well as in film and on television in series like Arende, Konings, Triptiek and as Ingrid Jordaan in kykNET's Binnelanders.

South Africa's The Last Ranger makes 2025 Oscar's short film shortlist

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African short film, The Last Ranger, has made the shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.

In the category 180 films qualified, which have been whittled down to 15. 

The short list will be further reduced and announced on 17 January 2025, with the winner in the category announced on 2 March 2025 when the 2025 Oscars take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and shown on M-Net (DStv 101).

The Last Ranger was directed by Cindy Lee who worked on Desert Rose and Showmax's The Girl from St Agnes, and the short film is the second installment in the When The World Stopped anthology series.

The Last Ranger is produced by Kindred Films and supported by Rose and Oaks Media.

The Last Ranger chronicles the story of Lita (Liyabona Mroqoza) who is captivated by the wonders of a game reserve, guided by the last ranger, Khuselwa (Avumile Qongqo).

Their adventure turns into a fight for survival when they are ambushed by poachers, leading them to confront a painful reality that underlines the critical issues of wildlife conservation.

"To have an isiXhosa film about rhino poaching in the running for an Oscar makes me so proud," says Cindy Lee in a statement. "The film is unique and deserves to go all the way".

"It is a remarkable feeling to see the positive reception this film has garnered on the international film festival circuit."

"This being my first short film, I wanted to create a story that resonates in South Africa and across the world. I am honoured that the film is sparking important conversations on conservation, social change, and empowerment.”

Anele Mdoda, executive producer at Rose and Oaks Media, said "We are immensely proud to be involved in a project that addresses such a critical subject".

"Raising awareness about environmental conservation through storytelling is essential for driving meaningful change. The fact that this story is told in isiXhosa yet resonates with international audiences speaks to the universal relevance of this urgent issue."

BBC Studios and Disney+ sets first Bluey movie for 2027 with creator Joe Brumm

by Thinus Ferreira

The year's most-watched show on Disney+ is becoming a film in 2027, with the animated kids series Bluey coming to the big screen in 2025 with its first theatrical release.

Disney and BBC Studios announced that 2024's number one series on streaming on Disney+ will become a film in 2027 under the Disney banner.

Following the global theatrical release, the Bluey movie will stream on Disney+.

The Bluey film, written and directed by Bluey creator Joe Brumm is a Ludo Studio production done with BBC Studios, and will bring the adventures of Bluey - a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog, who lives with her mum, dad and her little sister, Bingo - for the first time to cinemas.

The Bluey film will use the same vocal talent from the Australian series, including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey's mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler, as well as music created by Bluey composer Joff Bush.

Joe Brumm, says "I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on the episode The Sign in season 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that".

"I've always thought Bluey deserved a theatrical movie. I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together."

In a statement, announcing the film, Alan Bergman and Dana Walden, co-chairmen of Disney Entertainment, said "Since its debut on Disney Junior (DStv 309) and Disney+, Bluey has become a global phenomenon, uniting families everywhere with its heartfelt stories of play, imagination and connection".

"We are so proud to expand upon our relationship with BBC Studios to bring the magic of Bluey to the big screen – for real life! – and we are deeply grateful to Joe Brumm for creating a world that continues to inspire and delight families everywhere."

In the statement, Tom Fussell, BBC Studios CEO, said "We are incredibly excited to take Bluey to cinemas given its extraordinary success on a global scale – it is some of the most popular IP in the world".

"BBC Studios has a long history of bringing the very best children's television to the world in new and exciting ways, so working with Joe and the team, we felt a feature-length film was the natural next step."

eMedia COO Antonio Lee is new Broadcast Research Council chairperson, Primedia's Jonathan Proctor and Kagiso's Nick Grubb added to board

by Thinus Ferreira

In leadership changes at the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC),  eMedia COO Antonio Lee is the new chairperson, with Kagiso Media's Nick Grubb and Primedia's Jonathan Procter who have joined the board.

Antonio Lee, eMedia Investments chief operating officer (COO) is now the new BRC chairperson and replaces Monde Twala, senior vice president & co-general manager for Paramount Africa & lead for BET International, who has been BRC chairperson since 2018.

Monde Twala will remain a BRC board member.

Nick Grubb, Kagiso Media chief executive for radio, and Jonathan Procter, Primedia group CEO, have joined the BRC board.

The BRC says that the outgoing board members Melissa McNally and Tracy Stafford will move to focus on technical oversight within the BRC's Radio Research Committee.

In 2025 the BRC plans to undertake "comprehensive research procurement and development processes that will further enhance audience measurement capabilities".

These include Radio Audience Measurement (RAMS) with a new Request for Proposal (RFP) which has been launched in the last quarter of this year and a supplier appointment which is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

In Television Audience Measurement (TAMS) a comprehensive RFP process is scheduled for the first two quarters of 2025 to improve South African television audience research methodologies further.

Ask Afrika has been appointed to conduct a comprehensive Establishment Survey that will provide universe updates for both television and radio sectors in 2025.

"These strategic moves are not just about changes or procuring new research," says Antonio Lee.

"They represent our commitment to delivering nuanced, accurate, and timely audience insights that will drive strategic decision-making across the media, marketing, and advertising landscapes."

Gary Whitaker, BRC CEO, says "Our ongoing mission remains the same which is to provide objective, transparent data that empowers our industry's understanding of audience dynamics."

Cast and crew of Paramount Africa's BET's Pound 4 Pound keeps up fight for payment from Bakwena Productions

by Thinus Ferreira

The crew and cast of Bakwena Productions and Paramount Africa's Pound 4 Pound series on BET (DStv 129) who are still unpaid after months are adamant that they must and will get the money owed to them and and won’t stop exposing the hidden plight of casts and crews who remain unpaid and are often forced to suffer financially in silence.

After multiple failed payment promises by Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe's Bakwena Productions the crew and cast refuse to let the non-payment issue go.

Since September crew and cast members have lost homes and been evicted, had to give up rentals in Johannesburg and move further away to where there's less potential work, had to sell camera equipment and even cars to try and survive financially.

Paramount Africa which commissioned the 13-episode Pound 4 Pound says it had paid its part of the production cost for the boxing series that was aired on its BET Africa (DStv 129) channel. 

Paramount Africa was asked last week but remains silent on whether it will work with Bakwena Productions again in future and whether it's changing the way it's dealing with South African productions in order to ensure that with upcoming shows an issue of non-payment of cast and crew does not occur.

Pound 4 Pound is the third Paramount Africa production where cast and crews are struggling to get their money due after the same thing happened with Clive Morris Productions' Isono and then also Queendom this year which were both BET Africa shows as well.

Last month Monde Twala, Paramount Africa senior vice president and general manager and lead for BET International, in response to a media query last month said that Paramount Africa had communicated with Bakwena Productions "to ensure that any outstanding payments are processed accordingly" and that it wants ensure that "any outstanding payments are addressed as swiftly as possible." 

That didn't happen and many workers are struggling to survive. 

None of the payment promises were kept and at the end of December, there were again no payments.

In October when a Pound 4 Pound crew member told Rashaka Muofhe in a text message that he is desperate to get paid what he was promised, Muofhe responded with a disinterested: "I'm of the opinion that the home was not purchased on my name".

Around 60 crew, actors and call actors who worked on Pound 4 Pound are represented by Advocate Carol-Ann Myburgh who have taken Bakwena Productions and Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe to court to get their money owed.

Brandon Auret who portrayed the character of Frans on Pound 4 Pound, tells TVwithThinus "another production that hasn't paid their crew and cast have now joined on as well".

"It's incredible how many people have come out the woodwork now. I think what's really sad is how scared people are to come forward and to speak out because they are afraid of working for people again, that then won't pay them."

Last week Auret had to put his own car up for sale as well. "Luckily my wife's got a car but I'm owed thousands of rand. They owe someone else R120 000, someone else R80 000," he says.

Paramount Africa didn't respond to a media query made since earlier last week asking what has been done to resolve the situation with the BET show, what its stance is towards Bakwena Productions, and what it makes of industry workers saying they're wary of working on BET shows in future, fearing now that they will also meet a fate of not getting paid.

Kagiso Modupe's phone rang unanswered when called for comment since earlier last week he didn't respond to text messages.

ALSO READ: Legal action starts against producer Kagiso Modupe after he fails to pay crew and cast of BET Africa's Pound 4 Pound: 'Poor show of morals'

SABC2 adds 13-episode profile talk show 30 Winds of Change with Clement Manyathela on Sunday nights

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC is adding a profile talk series, 30 Winds of Change to SABC2 from Sunday 15 December in which various well-known South African personalities will reflect on their journeys and that of South Africa over the past three decades of South African democracy.

The 13-episode 30 Winds of Change on Sundays at 21:30 on SABC2 has Clement Manyathela as the presenter who will have conversations with people ranging from Mfundi Vundla, the Generations creator, to SABC2's Morning Live presenter Leanne Manas.

The other personalities who will appear in the episodes include sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, former People of the South talk show host Dali Tambo, the South African politician Helen Zille, the former chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, former public protector advocate Thuli Madonsela, and the founder of Gift of the Givers, Imitiaz Sooliman.

The business leader Nonkululeko Gobodo, the Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala, former university vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the journalists Mzilikazi wa Afrika and Mandy Wiener, as well as businessman Christo Wiese will also feature in 30 Winds of Change.

"It is an honour to engage with such iconic voices, who have played pivotal roles in shaping South Africa’s past, present and future," says Clement Manyathela in a press release about the show.

"This series is not just about looking back - it is about understanding where we are today and envisioning the future as a country."

Yonwaba Pangeni, SABC2 channel head [Note: The SABC didn't previously communicate that Yonwaba Pangeni has been appointed as SABC2 channel head], in a prepared quote, says "SABC2 has always been committed to delivering content that reflects South Africa's journey of progress".

"As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our country's democracy, SABC2 is proud to present shows like 30 Winds of Change that offer insightful entertainment and thought-provoking conversations with key figures."

Yonwaba Pangeni is new SABC2 channel head

by Thinus Ferreira

Yonwaba Pangeni is the new SABC2 channel head. She replaced Gerhard Pretorius.

Yonwaba Pangeni is actually the SABC2 channel head since September 2024 but the SABC didn't bother to inform the industry through any press release or appointment advisory at the time.

Yonwaba Pangeni, a marketing and brand specialist, previously worked for MultiChoice as a brand manager and for eMedia Holdings as a brand specialist.

Warner Bros. Discovery restructures into Global Linear Networks and Streaming & Studios

by Thinus Ferreira

On Thursday afternoon Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it's restructuring again, bundling its linear TV channel networks into one group known as Global Linear Networks, while keeping Streaming & Studios separate, as WBD reorganises its corporate structure from three groups into two.

The move from Warner Bros. Discovery comes half a month after Comcast announced in mid-November that it's getting rid of its traditional NBCUniversal pay-TV channels, carried by international pay-TV operators like MultiChoice's DStv, which it is selling off as its own company.

Warner Bros. Discovery in a Thursday afternoon corporate press statement says the corporate reorganisation, expected to be completed by mid-2025, "is designed to enhance its strategic flexibility and create potential opportunities to unlock additional shareholder value".

David Zaslav, WBD CEO, says "Since the combination that created Warner Bros. Discovery, we have transformed our business and improved our financial position while providing world-class entertainment to global audiences".

"We continue to prioritise, ensuring our Global Linear Networks business is well positioned to continue to drive free cash flow, while our Streaming & Studios business focuses on driving growth by telling the world's most compelling stories."

"Our new corporate structure better aligns our organisation and enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities across an evolving media landscape, help us build on our momentum and create opportunities as we evaluate all avenues to deliver significant shareholder value."

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, "the new corporate structure to enhance clarity and focus, with each division positioned to deliver on its specific strategic and operational objectives while executing on initiatives to further key priorities for consolidated Warner Bros. Discovery."

According to Warner Bros. Discovery, Global Linear Networks will be its linear television business that runs pay-TV channels like Discovery Channel, CNN International, TNT, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery (ID), TLC, Travel Channel, Animal Planet and Cartoon Network.

Streaming & Studios will be "a globally scaled streaming platform and storied film and entertainment studios with with a portfolio of the world's most-beloved intellectual property" like Max, Warner Bros. Mition Picture Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, and New Line Cinema.

After eNCA's 5 year blackout the TV news channel will cover events of South Africa's EFF political party again

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's eNCA (DStv 403) TV news channel will do on-the-ground coverage again of the country's EFF political party after a 5-year blackout, starting with this weekend's national people's assembly gathering set to take place at Nasrec in Johannesburg.

eMedia's eNCA stopped giving any physical coverage of the Economic Freedom Fighters party 5 years ago after eNCA decided to pull out of the EFF's national people's assembly gathering in 2019, after EFF leader Julius Malema called an eNCA reporter "a stupid journalist" after asking a question.

eNCA also said it's exiting from EFF coverage since the political party banned news media like The Daily Maverick, amaBhungane and Scorpio from its conference in 2019.

Since then, for the past 5 years, eNCA has not tried to cover and report on EFF-related on-the-ground news. Although eNCA kept reporting on the EFF, it has not actively attended any EFF events or actively done coverage or interviews with the political party.

In a statement on Thursday the EFF says "Following the fallout when eNCA pulled out of the 2nd national people's assembly in 2019, eNCA and the EFF have started a new chapter".

"eNCA acknowledges that the decision to pull out was unfortunate. Furthermore, both parties acknowledge it took longer than it was necessary to resolve the impasse."

"eNCA and the EFF recognise the vital role the media and political entities play in deepening democracy."

THe EFF says "Moving forward, both parties have affirmed their shared commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect and collaboration. We will work together in a manner that prioritises transparency, accountability and the public interest."

eMedia and eNCA haven't issued any statement on Thursday or explained anything about the reconciliation with the EFF party from the TV news channel's side.