VIA claims profanity title of its lowbrow reality show Moer 'n Boer already existed, as a Tshwane council case over the same utterance could end at SA's Human Rights Commission.

by Thinus Ferreira

Media24's Afrikaans female lifestyle TV channel VIA (DStv 147) has added a new lowbrow reality fighting show with a nasty and profanity-laced title Moer 'n Boer, while the same utterance this week in a Tshwane council meeting could lead to a case at the South Africa's Human Rights Commission.

Media24's VIA bills itself as a female and family lifestyle TV channel yet decided to add a crass and extremely awfully titled new show Moer 'n Boer to its programme line-up as a new South African television reality TV low.

In this reality series, 12 South African farmers (boers) are trained by Versus Promotions, a mixed martial arts promotions company, to train as MMA fighters. Eventually they will physically fight each other in the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria.

Moer 'n Boer is produced by Versus Promotions president Janneman van den Berg with Cameron Saaiman as presenter.

"Moer" is an Afrikaans swear word, with VIA that says it has no problem adding a show with profanity in its title for MultiChoice's DStv subscribers because that is apparently VIA's type of audience.

TVwithThinus asked VIA why it is fine with Moer 'n Boer as a show's title.

VIA says "The competition already existed as Moer 'n Boer when we found out about it."

"We think it captures the essence of the show's dynamic and unique blend of farming and MMA training. The title is bold and reflects the exciting and high-energy content of the show."

Strangely, Janneman van den Berg told Huisgenoot magazine something different, saying the show considered Klap 'n Boer , as well as a few other titles.

VIA was asked if VIA thinks a show like this and language like this will reflect negatively on VIA and turn off viewers and make them switch away from the channel and its content.

VIA says "The title and content sparks curiosity and engagement rather than offence and so far the majority of our viewers enjoy content that is slightly different or pushes the boundaries".

"The show aims to highlight the strength, and resilience of farmers, and we believe it will resonate with our audience. While the title is bold, VIA is confident that the show will attract and retain viewers who appreciate innovative and compelling content."

VIA was asked who is the specific audience that VIA wants to watch Moer 'n Boer on the channel.

"This show attracts quite a wide audience, for instance people who enjoy reality TV, and human interest stories, fans of mixed martial arts who will be drawn to the unique combination of farming and MMA training as well as viewers who are attracted to dynamic, high-energy shows and are looking for fresh, innovative programming," VIA says.

VIA channel head Azelia Morkel says "Along with the rest of the country, we cannot wait to see how the farmers prepare and harvest success not only in the fields but also in the ring."

Janneman van den Berg says Moer 'n Boer "was an opportunity to establish MMA as a sport in the Afrikaans community. At first Cameron thought it could never work but he soon changed his mind when there was a flood of support from the Afrikaans community".

"The farmers loved the idea, and we were quite surprised ourselves, especially by the farmers who are tougher than tough."

On Thursday the EFF political party council member Obakeng Ramabodu during a council meeting said he "wants to moer 'n boer" because he "wants the blood of an Afrikaner".

Cilliers Brink, mayor of the Tshwane metro and a DA member, said South Africa's Human Rights Commission (HRC) will be approached over the alleged hate speech.

Mncedi Ndzawanana, speaker of the council, asked Obakeng Ramabodu to take back his utterance and to apologise for his "moer 'n boer" remark.

South Africa's Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen back for a fourth season of JAN on VIA cooking with guests and sharing old recipes.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Afrikaans lifestyle cooking show JAN on VIA (DStv 147) is returning for a fourth season from Sunday 16 October at 20:30 and will be titled "JAN RSVP" as the South African Michelin-star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen hosts guests in a small farmhouse while they cook together, talk about life, and share old recipes, traditions and dishes that they remember. 

Produced by Carien Loubser's Brainwave Productions, season 4 of JAN as "JAN RSVP" will see Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen setting the table for guests in a renovated 1712 farmhouse in a lavender field.

For each of the guests, he prepares a dish inspired by their own stories as they come to share their food secrets and old family recipes. Guests during the season include Coenie de Villiers, Ina Paarman, chef Mokgadi Itsweng and Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout.

"We bonded the only way I know how – breaking bread together around beautifully set tables – talking about life, love and everything in between," says Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen about season 4.

Azelia Morkel, VIA channel head says "viewers will be swept away by every minute of this show" which was filmed in the Boland.

IN LIMBO. Second season of VIA's Ram vir 'n Rus Russian bride dating show indefinitely put on hold after invasion of Ukraine.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Afrikaans lifestyle channel VIA (DStv 147) has been plunged into limbo, with production company Kopwond Films forced to indefinitely postpone production of the second season of its Russian bride dating reality show Ram vir 'n Rus due to Russia's war and invasion of Ukraine.

Responding to a media query TVwithThinus made last week VIA said that the second season of Ram vir 'n Rus, produced by Kopwond Films, has now been put on hold.

With growing international sanctions against Russia - together with restrictions on international travel for Russian citizens making it virtually impossible for any Russians to enter or leave their country - coupled with other safety and logistical issues, it's not possible to film a second season of the series that relies on a group of single Russian women, together with a chaperone, coming to South Africa to date South African men.

VIA says the channel has decided to postpone the upcoming second season of its dating show Ram vir ’n Rus in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that was already in pre-production and was set to start airing in September 2022.

"The show was exceptionally popular and had our viewers abuzz," says Azelia Morkel, VIA channel head.

"Nonetheless, there is a bigger picture to take into account and the show has to be put on hold for now. We are busy with a new plan to fill the time slot."

TVwithThinus asked VIA last week for what the current situation with the production of the second season of Ram vir 'n Rus is, following multiple readers who asked whether the show's second season will go ahead after what is happening between Russia and Ukraine.

VIA was asked again earlier this week for a response. 

A VIA spokesperson said the channel would respond to the media query later this week. 

Late on Friday afternoon VIA issued a statement but only after it gave the same statement to an Afrikaans magazine first, and only sent it to other media after it was already published.

Distributors and producers globally have been asked to freeze any work and business dealings with Russian companies, with studios, broadcasters and TV channels that have cancelled and halted a growing number of content licensing deals with Russia and Russian companies. 

Meanwhile more and more TV and film industry bodies, organisations, festivals and awards across the world have dropped Russian companies and Russian delegates who are no longer serving or attending.

Britain's Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact) has called on all its members in its extensive network suspend all cooperation, productions and trade with Russia.

ALSO READ: The Russia Today TV channel abruptly disappears on Wednesday evening from MultiChoice's DStv, and TelkomONE in South Africa.