Cathy Mohlahlana and Thembekile Mrototo to co-anchor Newzroom Afrika prime time from June as news channel adds Saturday night documentary slot.

by Thinus Ferreira

Cathy Mohlahlana and Thembekile Mrototo will start to co-anchor during prime time on Newzroom Africa (DStv 405) from June when she returns from maternity leave, while the South African TV news channel will also add a new documentary hour slot on Saturdays at 19:00.

From June when Cathy Mohlahlana returns, she will resume her co-anchoring role of The Pulse with Stephen Grootes in the 17:00 to 18:00 timeslot on Newzroom Afrika.

Cathy Mohlahlana will then remain on-air to now join Thembekile Mrototo in the 18:00 to 20:00 timeslot from June as co-anchors.

When Cathy Mohlahlana signs off at 20:00, Thembekile Mrototo will continue to anchor solo in the 20:00 to 21:00 timeslot, after which Thabo Mdluli will take over as sole anchor of In Focus until midnight.

Newzroom Afrika also plans to introduce a new Saturday evening documentary slot at 19:00 which will be an hour, and which will get a repeat on Sundays at 10:00.

"These changes reflect the continued evolution of Newzroom Afrika to grow with viewers, remain fresh and always a step ahead," says Newzroom Afrika CEO Thabile Ngwato in a statement.

"Building on the enthusiasm shown for our new Nguni news service on Mzansi Wethu (DStv 163), Newzroom Afrika is innovating and developing as we mark four phenomenal years since launch."

Newzroom Afrika rival eNCA (DStv 403) has just started to stay in live news until midnight from May instead of switching to repeats at 22:00, in the Hyde Park based channel's latest schedule and programming changes.

eNCA is done with Tonight with Jane Dutton, while long-running Maggs on Media is cancelled, as the TV news channel retools its schedule and current affairs offering again after a year.

After 11 months eNCA (DStv 403) is done with Tonight with Jane Dutton, with several other new and long-running programmes - including Maggs on Media - scrapped.

It comes as eNCA is once again working on another scheduling revamp following a lacklustre line-up rejig it unveiled in mid-July 2018 that less than a year later had come apart at the seams.

After luring the former eNews anchor Jane Dutton from Doha where she anchored for the Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / StarSat 257 / Cell C black 503) TV news channel and given her own weeknight prime time show from mid-July 2018, eNCA quietly and abruptly dumped Tonight with Jane Dutton that was last broadcast almost two weeks ago on 13 June.

Since its debut the talk show centred Tonight with Jane Dutton that got the plum and valuable 20:00 prime time slot, received criticism media experts, politicians and most importantly, viewers.

An interview Jane Dutton did with the EFF political party's deputy president Floyd Shivambu during her show's launch month in July 2018 left DStv subscribers wide-eyed.

Since then the show has had to apologise for on-air mistakes, while critics said that Jane often looked aloof, disconnected and uninformed about topics.

Insiders meanwhile noted that it came across as if eNCA producers were out to deliberately sabotage Jane Dutton while viewers looking for news didn't understand why eNCA switched to a talk and interview format at 20:00

An interview on 18 March on eNCA with Lesego Tlhabi during prime time - while South Africa was experiencing Stage 4 load shedding - saw Jane Dutton do a satire interview with the comedian who appeared on-air in character as Coconut Kelz, and that was conducted in a similar vein to what Trevor Noah does on The Daily Show on Comedy Central DStv (122).

Viewers were left confused and angry and under the mistaken impression that Jane Dutton was doing a real interview, not expecting news satire during eNCA's most important prime time hour as Jane asked rehearsed, play-along questions like "I believe you've got a direct line to Eskom. How does that work?"

Jane Dutton last appeared on eNCA on 12 June, with a fellow eNCA anchor suddenly sitting in for her the next night on 13 June and making a bewildering and unexplained appearance, saying "this is Tonight with Jane Dutton, I'm Thembekile Mrototo" after which the programme disappeared from the schedule.

The eMedia Investments channel made no announcement as to what has happened to Jane Dutton and issued no programming advisory, as is customary, to viewers. The timeslot quietly switched to a 2-hour "eNCA Now" branded timeslot.

eNCA was asked in an emailed media enquiry why the decision was taken to dump Tonight with Jane Dutton, whether Dutton will remain with eNCA, and if so in what role and capacity. The channel didn't answer the question.


Current affairs shows ended
eNCA's newly announced schedule and anchors line-up in July 2018 quickly started to unravel after eNCA unveiled its latest on-air shuffle as part of what it then called "reinventing ourselves for the next 10 years".

Little is now left of the schedule as eNCA announced it in July 2018 with the channel that saw a major and ongoing exodus of talent over the past year.

Several stars like the former NewsNight co-anchor Cathy Mohlahlana decided to quit who is now the prime time anchor at new rival news channel Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405).

Mapi Mahlangu who used to be the eNCA editor-in-chief was let go with Jeremy Maggs continuing in the position as acting editor-in-chief.

While eNCA remains the most-watched TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service, it is feeling the growing competition from SABC News (DStv 404) and Newzroom Afrika.

Now eNCA is busy cobbling together yet another new news and current affairs programming line-up.

Insiders have whispered that Maggs on Media - the longest running continuous show to have remained on the eNCA schedule - is relocating to be done from e.tv's Zonnebloem studios in Cape Town.

The truth however is that the media and marketing Sunday morning magazine show has also been cancelled.

"Following in-depth audience research, eNCA has decided to end the productions of three current affairs shows namely Maggs on Media presented by Jeremy Maggs; CrimeWatch with Yusuf Abramjee and Madam Speaker with Iman Rappetti," eNCA told TVwithThinus in a statement in response to the media enquiry asking about the channel's changes.

"These programmes will be replaced in time with new current affairs shows which are currently in development," eNCA said.

The channel said that "eNCA can also confirm that it is revaluating its weekday and weekend line-up. This is carried out on a regular basis with the intention of improving programming and growing the audience of the country’s most watched news channel".

Jeremy Maggs said "Audience needs constantly change and it is our job to recognise these changes and make necessary adjustments".

"My thanks to both Yusuf and Iman for the hard work they both put into compelling programming." 

Jeremy Maggs said that "when changes are made, eNCA will communicate those changes".

Your 2019 South African elections TV news guide - what coverage you can watch where.

As South African TV news ramps up coverage of the 2019 general elections from Wednesday and the expected election results on Thursday and Friday, here is what broadcasters and news channels are planning to do and offer viewers:

SABC News / SABC2 (DStv 404)

The SABC didn't respond to media enquiries with specific questions about its upcoming televised election coverage but on Tuesday issued a general press release saying that the elections will be covered on its SABC News channel.

In addition, SABC2's regular schedule is being replaced with SABC2 that will become a simulcast channel of the SABC news feed for terrestrial viewers on Wednesday between 05:00 and 17:30, and again between 19:00 and 20:55, and from 22:00 to 05:00 on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday SABC2 will keep Morning Live that will be election coverage focused, as well as 7de Laan (18:00), Afrikaans news (18:30), Setswana/Sesotho news (18:45), Live Lotto Draw (20:55), Muvhango (21:00) and Giyani: Land of Blood (21:30).

For its election coverage the SABC will use both its Auckland Park studio, as well as a set in its designated broadcast corner at the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) Results Operation Centre in Pretoria. 

The SABC didn't respond as to what shows will be done from there, and which from its regular studio, or which main anchors will be based where, but on-air anchors will include Sakina Kamwendo, Leanne Manas, Tsepiso Makwetla, Stephen Grootes, Desiree Chauke, Peter Ndoro and Francis Herd.

SABC News will have camera crews and reporters at all of the IEC result centres countrywide to provide updates.

On Thursday SABC2 will again switch to the SABC News channel feed between 05:00 and 09:30,12:00 and 15:00,19:00 to 21:00, and 22:00 to midnight.

The SABC was asked about possible special programming, new technology or what it might do new or differently in terms of election coverage on SABC News for this election coverage but the broadcaster didn't respond.

SABC1 and SABC3

SABC1 will broadcast SABC News election coverage from Wednesday 8 May to Friday 10 May between 21:00 and 21:30 but didn't specify what it will show, or who the presenters will be.

SABC3 will broadcast SABC News election coverage from Wednesday 8 May to Friday 10 May between 17:30 and 18:00. SABC3 says the Democracy Gauge programme is being changed to Election Special 2019.

eNCA (DStv 403)

The eNCA TV news channel from eMedia Investments carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service responded to a media enquiry and says that with its 2019 election slogan "the moment of truth" the channel will be "showcasing the moment of truth coming to viewers live as it happens when the South African public cast their votes".

eNCA will have reporters and camera crews stationed across South Africa's polling stations and IEC result centres. eNCA also has a set at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Pretoria.

eNCA's provided a run-down of its coverage plans for Wednesday, anchors and from where it will take place:

06:00 – 10:00 Dan Moyana and Yveka Rangappa (Results Operation Centre)

10:00 – 14:00 Xoli Mngambi and Marcelle Gordon (Results Operation Centre)

11:00 – 12:00 Jeremy Maggs (eNCA Hyde Park studio)

12:00 – 18:00 Michelle Craig and Shahan Ramkissoon (Results Operation Centre)

15:00 – 16:00 Jeremy Maggs (eNCA Hyde Park studio)

18:00 – 22:00 Vuyo Mvoko, Jane Dutton, Faith Mangope

22:00 – 02:00 Anlie Hattingh and Thembekile Mrototo

Open News

The local TV news channel from eMedia Investments carried on its Openview free-to-air satellite TV service was asked for its election coverage plans, special programming and scheduling and what it will be offering viewers but didn't respond with programming information.

Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405)

The Newzroom Afrika TV news channel from Thabile Ngwato and Thokozani Nkosi carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service was asked for its election coverage plans, special programming and scheduling and what it will be offering viewers didn't respond with information. 

Newzroom Afrika has a set at the IEC Results Operation Centre in Pretoria and will do some broadcast anchoring from there.

Newzroom Afrika team of political reporters include Malungelo Booi, Karyn Maughan and Thulasizwe Simelane who all joined from eNCA, Ziyanda Ngcobo who joined from Radio 702, and Mweli Masilela, Yolisa Njamela and Mbali Sibanyoni who joined from SABC News. 

They will join anchor Cathy Mohlahlana providing election news coverage and analysis.

Business Day TV (DStv 412)

The business news channel from the Tiso Blackstar Group carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service responded to a media enquiry and says its 2019 elections coverage will be mainly focused on doing post-election analysis on Thursday 9 May and Friday 10 May.

The channel will cover reaction to the results as they start to come in from Thursday and Business Day TV will speak to politicians and political analysts.

The channel plans to do crossings to the IEC Results Operation Centre in Pretoria to keep viewers updated and will continue doing its daily companies and market news analysis.

CNBC Africa (DStv 410 / Cell C black 512)

CNBC Africa responded to a media enquiry and says it will be covering the 2019 elections and will offer viewers a different view with a focus on the South African economy and how the elections impact business and future growth.

CNBC Africa's election coverage will run as follows:

8 May: 8:00 - 19:30

9 May: 8:00 - 19:30

10 May: 8:00 - 19:30

11 May: Standing by for final election results as and when it's announced.

Chris Bishop, CNBC Africa head of programming, and the seasoned financial journalist Godfrey Mutizwa will be anchoring the desk throughout the day, crossing to the IEC Results Centre as well as multiple locations around South Africa to get a feel from the business community as to how the election results will impact the economy.

CNBC Africa’s Karabo Letlhatlha and Fifi Peters will be field reporters, bringing viewers the latest from the elections and how this will affect the financial markets, business and the currency.

CNBC Africa also booked an extensive line-up of guests over the next few days from captains of industry to economists, financial institutions, academic and research houses along with political analysts. CNBC Africa says it will also be keeping tabs on the social media realm as the elections roll-on.

In-studio topics on CNBC Africa will include subjects ranging from Jobs - 25-Years On, The state of corruption and service delivery, The CEO vote, and South Africa's youth to Climate change and Women and the economy.

Carte Blanche, M-Net (DStv 101) on Sunday, 12 May, 19:00
Elections 2019
Battered and bruised, the campaign trail took its toll on political parties that traversed the country trying to move the needle during this year’s national elections. By Tuesday the electorate still seemed confused and millions of votes were up for grabs. 

By Thursday, the die was cast. But in the final tally, will South Africans’ votes result in more than coalitions and compromises? Carte Blanche on M-Net will analyse the country’s sixth democratic elections.

Producer: Ntokozo Miya

Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

Newzroom Afrika launches on MultiChoice's DStv with the new TV channel saying it hopes 'to be seen as a strong alternative' in the local TV news sphere.

The new Newzroom Africa channel made its debut on Thursday evening on MultiChoice’s DStv satellite pay-TV service, telling viewers that the new South African TV news channel hopes “to be seen as a strong alternative” in the local TV news and crowded media sphere.

Newzroom Afrika, set up by Thabile Ngwato's Rapid Innovation and Thokozani Nkosi's Eclipse TV, will compete against rivals like eNCA (DStv 403) and SABC News (DStv 404) in a highly-contested TV space for eyeballs and advertising rands and made new journalism appointment besides luring away on-air talent from other news broadcasters and radio stations.

“Our promise to you is to be an innovate and interactive multimedia news service, to be seen as as a strong alternative for professional, incredible South African current affairs coverage. We promise to unpack the unspoken,” said Thabile Ngwato in an on-screen launch message as she stood next to co-founder Thokozani Nkosi before the studio’s big video wall.

Nkosi said that the channel hopes to bring “cutting-edge content to your screen”.

 Newzroom Afrika takes over the vacant spot of channel number 405 where the controversial Gupta family’s ANN7 used to reside before it Mzwanele Manyi took it over, rebranded it as Afro Worldview and that saw it get shut down by MultiChoice in August 2018.

Newzroom Afrika unveiled its new set inside its studio in Linden, Johannesburg on Thursday evening with an L-shaped, red desk and a video wall on the right-hand side.

 The NewzAtPrime co-anchor Cathy Mohlahlana who anchored during prime time on eNCA before she was moved back to an afternoon slot and then left, had an on-screen TV reunion with another former eNCA star, Karyn Maughan. 

Cathy Mohlahlana and Karyn Maughan are two of several other former eNCA staffers who have made the jump to Newzroom Afrika.

The launch broadcast – unlike the one of ANN7 which was overshadowed by bloopers and mistakes that instantly went viral – went off without obvious glitches or technical mistakes, with Cathy Mohlahlana and her co-anchor and sports editor Marc Lewis, formerly involved with the SABC, who both did great. 

The first news bulletin followed a surprisingly traditional TV news approach, pace and presentation style.

Newzroom Afrika didn’t release a schedule to the media but its next big programming launch will be its weekday morning show, Breaking Dawn, that will kick off on Friday morning with presenters Sizwe Dhlomo, Carmen Reddy and Gugu Mhlungu and that will revolve around “topical issues with informal banter and analysis”.

 Newzroom Afrika during its first bulletin, announced that it will be covering South Africa’s general elections set for 8 March. 

It applied for and managed to secure its own branded media berth at the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) operations centre in Pretoria-West from where it will be able to broadcast from similar to the other TV news channels.

TV news channels are notoriously expensive to run and take a long time to reach break-even point. Newzroom Afrika didn’t yet divulge details regarding possible other funders besides MultiChoice, but the launch broadcast did contain TV commercials from the outset that will bring in some additional money as a revenue source. 

Studio, equipment, technology investments and the staff compliment who have been hired, including how many former Afro Worldview staffers were taken over, have not been shared.

The South African government in a statement welcomed the launch of Newzroom Afrika, with Phumla Williams, government spokesperson, saying "Government is encouraged by the growing number of 24-hour news channels in the country, which further strengthens media diversity. The introduction of Newzroom Afrika will further shape public discourse on pertinent matters affecting our nation".

"The new channel will contribute immensely to South Africa’s dynamic media industry and also contribute towards creating an informed citizenry. Government wishes Newzroom Afrika all of the best in its endeavour."

ALSO READ: No press briefing or media launch event for the new Newzroom Afrika on MultiChoice's DStv; new TV news channel's execs are 'too busy' to do interviews.

ALSO READ: TOLDJA! New TV news channel, Newzroom Afrika, to oddly launch on 2 May on MultiChoice's DStv with some familiar TV and radio names.

ALSO READ: With whispers of a 2 May launch date and already missing its 'early-2019' launch target, the new TV news channel Newzroom Afrika and MultiChoice are failing to keep their promise of keeping the media informed. 

TOLDJA! New TV news channel, Newzroom Afrika, to oddly launch on 2 May on MultiChoice's DStv with some familiar TV and radio names.

Exactly as TV biz insiders whispered, the new South African TV news channel Newzroom Afrika plans to launch on Thursday 2 May with news talent including the former eNCA stars Cathy Mohlahlana, Thulasizwe Simelane and Karyn Maughan who have jumped to front-face the new channel.

While MultiChoice and Newzroom Afrika executives in August 2018 when they announced the successful news channel bidder promised to keep the media updated on the channel's progress towards its "early-2019" launch, nothing had been forthcoming.

"We'll be sharing further details about the channel in the coming weeks," said Thabile Ngwato in the MultiChoice press release that was issued on 28 August 2018 but that was 8 months ago and Newzroom Afrika failed to share details with the media.

Thabile Ngwato's Rapid Innovation and Thokozani Nkosi's Eclipse TV are behind Newzroom Afrika that will directly compete against rivals like eNCA (DStv 403) and SABC News (DStv 404) in a highly-contested TV space for eyeballs and advertising rands and where eNCA lures more than 50% of the combined and existing TV news channels' audience on DStv.

Last week when asking MultiChoice in a media enquiry whether Newzroom Afrika will be launching on 2 May, Benedict Maaga, MultiChoice spokesperson, said MultiChoice can't confirm any dates.

Newzroom Afrika suddenly announced on Monday evening that it will be going live on Thursday late-afternoon.

Although missing its "early-2019" launch date, its second quarter activation means that Newzroom Afrika will try to gain viewers in the few days remaining to do pre-election coverage in the lead up to South Africa's national elections on 8 May.

On Thursday Newzroom Afrika, will take over the open channel spot on channel 405 on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service left vacant after it axed the controversial Gupta family's ANN7 channel that was acquired by Mzwanele Manyi and rebranded as Afro Worldview until it shut down in August last year.

While the programming line-up, content and on-air talent of Newzroom Afrika isn't known, other media talent who will be involved with Newzroom Afrika include some established radio and TV voices and faces including several Power FM name-brands.

Newzroom Afrika on Monday night listed Liezle Wilson, Thami Ngubeni, Sizwe Dhlomo, Gugulethu Mhlungu, Natasha Thorp, Thabo Mdluli, JJ Tabane, Aubrey Masango, Marc Lewis, Jacob Moshokoa, Bongiwe Zwane, and the former Afro Worldview editor Mpho Sithole as now being a part of the TV news channel.

Journalist Karyn Maughan has also been hired, as well as Ayabonga Cawe. 

According to the DStv electronic programme guide (EPG), none of the information which has been shared with the media, Newzroom Afrika programming will include a morning news show, Breaking Dawn, with presenters Sizwe Dhlomo, Carmen Reddy and Gugu Mhlungu.

Other programming will be shows like Newzfeed and Business Unusual.

Newzroom Afrika's flagship news show will be Newz@Prime (or NewsAtPrime) anchored by Cathy Mohlahlana and Marc Lewis as sports editor.

As Thursday's 2 May launch date looms for Newzroom Afrika, DStv Media Sales, MultiChoice's advertising selling arm, apparently entered into a commercial partnership with Newzroom Afrika from 24 April to sell on-air advertising on behalf of the channel.

In March 2019 Newzroom Afrika started a recruitment process looking for reporters, producers, editors and people to fill various other positions.

Insiders last week said they hope that Newzroom Afrika will be able to sidestep the mistakes of ANN7's disastrous on-air launch that immediately went viral with lasting damage to that channel's credibility.

With Wednesday's Workers' Day as a public holiday in South Africa and the odd launch date the day after, there's been no word from either MultiChoice that was asked, nor Newzroom Afrika about a possible press briefing about the news channel, or of a media launch event to mark its start on DStv as usually happens when new TV channels launch.

Newzroom Afrika will be available to all DStv subscribers from DStv Premium to DStv Access.

TOLDJA! Cathy Mohlahlana and Thulasizwe Simelane both quit eNCA as the news channel's latest high-level on-air defections.

eNCA (DStv 403) confirmed to TVwithThinus on late Thursday afternoon two resignations: That the eNCA anchor Cathy Mohlahlana has quit after her recent demotion from prime time back to an afternoon timeslot, and that reporter and anchor Thulasizwe Simelane is leaving.

Their last day at eNCA will be on 29 March, just a month and a week before South Africans vote in another general election.

eNCA hasn't announced replacements.

Insiders told TVwithThinus days ago that both Cathy Mohlahlana and Thulasizwe Simelane decided to quit the eMedia Investments' news channel carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

eNCA, in response to a media enquiry asking for confirmation earlier this week about word that both high-caliber on-air personalities decided to resign and leave, didn't answer when asked why Cathy Mohlahlana is leaving and why Thulasizwe Simelane is leaving.

Speaking about the latest high-level defections from eNCA, Jeremy Maggs, acting eNCA editor, says in a statement to TVwithThinus that "Both Cathy and Thulasizwe have proved in the field and behind the anchor desk to be valuable and respected staff members. They have brought integrity to their work. We are going to miss their empathetic and incisive style of journalism".

Cathy Mohlahlana last month took over anchoring duties of the eNCA Now timeslot between 13:00 and 15:00 after she was promoted to being a co-anchor on eNCA's flagship prime time show NewsNight where she served for a year and 8 months until she was bumped back to dayside on the eNCA schedule in January 2019.

Cathy Mohlahlana says in a statement that "in the past 8 years at eNCA I have had the opportunity to learn and grow while working with some of the best in television news and I'll forever be grateful. Thank you to the eNCA audience which embraced me from being a reporter to an anchor".

eNCA made the experienced political reporter Thulasizwe Simelane an afternoon anchor in May 2018.

Thulasizwe Simelane in a statement says "eNCA has been and will always remain my home, a place that shaped and moulded me, and gave me tremendous growth opportunities over the past 6 years. I will miss my colleagues but am confident they've deposited enough of the 'e-DNA' in me to carry me to great heights in my next venture".

eNCA backtracks on NewsNight changes as Vuyo Mvoko is made sole anchor and political editor; Cathly Mohahlana back to anchor during the day with Vata Ngobeni appointed as eNCA sports editor.

eNCA (DStv 403) is undoing some of its line-up changes just 6 months after its introduction in mid-July 2018 with its prime time news programme NewsNight that is going back to starting at 18:00 and that will now be sole anchored by Vuyo Mvoko, with co-anchor Cathy Mohahlana going back to anchor a daypart.

Six months after eNCA's now departed news director Mapi Mhlangu changed the South African TV news channel's schedule and anchor line-up in mid-July 2018, eNCA is once again changing it, including breaking up its NewsNight co-anchor presentation that always had dual presenters.

From Monday night NewsNight that was shifted to 17:00 in mid-July is once again moved back to a starting time of 18:00, now with Vuyo Mvoko as the only anchor of eNCA's flagship news show.

Cathy Mohlahlana who anchored mid-mornings before her promotion to NewsNight in mid-May 2017 as co-anchor, is shifted back after a year and 8 months and will now once again be anchoring eNCA during the day.

Cathy Mohlahlana is now taking over as the anchor of eNCA Now between 13:00 and 15:00 on weekdays, replacing Jeremy Maggs.

Jeremy Maggs, eNCA acting editor-in-chief, will no longer serve as anchor during the week but will continue to present his weekly media magazine show, Maggs on Media on Sunday mornings.

Jeremy Maggs shifted from prime time in mid-July to the afternoon slot, but with the added duties of day-to-day management of eNCA and with 2019 being a general election year requiring additional management of news resources and logistics, decided to let weekday anchoring go.

Jeremy Maggs will be used as a special anchor on eNCA depending on his availability during key news events.

"I am very pleased that I can hand the lunchtimes over to Cathy who is one of the young stars in a very talented line-up of anchors," says Jeremy Maggs. "This will give me an opportunity to focus on the business of running a dynamic and demanding newsroom."

Following eNCA Now, Thulasizwe Simelane will now anchor on eNCA from 15:00 to 18:00 for an hour longer.

Besides now being the lone anchor of NewsNight, Vuyo Mvoko has been appointed as eNCA's political editor, with Vata Ngobeni from Pretoria News appointed as eNCA's new sports editor from February.

eNCA updates its on-air look with a rebuild studio and video wall, adjusted timeslots and a Jane Dutton talk show.

On Monday 16 July eNCA (DStv 403), that turned 10 years old last month, is redoing its on-air look with a rebuilt Hyde Park studio that includes touch screens and a big video wall, as well as reducing the number of its on-air blocks including folding the afternoon slot News Day into a bigger midday slot rebranded as eNCA Now, and a prime time talk show for Jane Dutton.

From Monday Morning News between 06:00 and 09:00 becomes Morning News Today anchored by Dan Moyane and Uveka Rangappa.

Morning News Today on weekdays will look at overnight news stories and provides an overview of the day that lies ahead. The timeslot will also take a look at the lighter side of life in the country with human interest and lifestyle features.

The Lead between 09:00 and 13:00, News Day between 13:00 and 14:00 and Afternoon News between 16:00 and 18:00 all fall away and are folded into the more generic eNCA Now block from 09:00 to 17:00 with rolling news coverage.

eNCA Now will be anchored by by Xoli Mngambi, Jeremy Maggs, Michelle Craig and Thulasizwe Simelane throughout the day. Devan Murugan will be doing business news coverage.

News Night that used to start at 18:00 will now start an hour earlier at 17:00 from Monday anchored by Vuyo Mvoko and Cathy Mohahlana and go until 20:00 instead of 21:00.

News Night will continue to cover the day's big news stories.

At 20:00 on eNCA there's the introduction of Tonight with Jane Dutton, a new weekday talk show that eNCA calls its "flagship daily talk show" that will feature interviews various guests and newsmakers.

Jane Dutton returns to South Africa and e.tv from Al Jazeera.

The half hour Moneyline on eNCA falls away to make space for the hour long News Hour at 22:00 on weekdays, anchored by Shahan Ramkissoon and Siki Mgabadeli.

News Hour will take a look at the day's top news and business stories and will feature business reports as well as in-depth coverage of the day's news events.

Late Edition follows at 23:00, that eNCA calls " comprehensive, relaxed and conversational review of the day's news and a first look at the next day's action".

Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA's managing director and editor-in-chief, says the redone studio where news anchors will be able to move around more and the big video wall will make eNCA's "news delivery more contemporary, more interactive and faster moving".

She says that eNCA will continue to do "quality news".

"Audiences today have far more choice in a fragmenting television environment. My promise to the eNCA community is that despite the changing nature of news consumption, we will continue to rely on what has made us successful:  quality news that reflects the complexity of South African society, always mindful that we are a voice for ordinary people and their daily struggles," says Mapi Mhlangu.

Sleepless nights for Cathy Mohalahlana as she gets ready to climb Kilimanjaro in August, with the eNCA anchor hoping to reach Africa's highest point on Women's Day.

The eNCA (DStv 403) anchor Cathy Mohalahlana is set to climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

Cathy Mohalahlana, co-anchor on eNCA's NewsNight, is one of a group of people who will join the Trek for Mandela initiative this year.

There are two groups with the first leaving within days.

Cathy Mohalahlana is part of the second group leaving later, who will try to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and Uhuru Peak in northeast Tanzania in early-August.

Cathy Mohalahlana told the former eNCA anchor Joanne Joseph on radio 702 during an interview on Wednesday that "it's such an emotional journey, as well as a physical one because there's obviously getting ready physically which includes lots and lots of walking and climbing stairs and just getting some strength in your legs that will carry you through the journey. But the most challenging part is the mental issue".

Cathy Mohalahlana said she's already had quite a few sessions with one of the team leaders on the mountain trek about getting into the right headspace.

"We're expecting snow, it's going to be below freezing point. I can barely handle Johannesburg's cold. I can't imagine what it's going to be like to walk out, over snow, in the night in the dark, but I think that I'm ready as everybody else who has decided to take on this journey because we understand the cause," said Cathy Mohalahlana.

The Trek for Mandela will help more disadvantaged schoolgirls to get access to sanitary pads.

"I am starting to get sleepless nights about it," she said. "The group that I'm going with is going to be in going to be in August and we are hoping to get to the top of the mountain on Women's Day on 9 August."

"As that day draws closer, the sleepless nights are there and the heart palpitations. It's nerve-racking."

Besides Cathy Mohalahlana, the SABC News reporter Gillian Pillay and Thabo Madilola, SABC cameraman, are also taking part in the Trek4Mandela.

eNCA announces Cathy Mohlahlana and Vuyo Mvoko as its new prime time NewsNight anchors; Jeremy Maggs moves to NewsDay.

eNCA (DStv 403) has chosen workhorse Cathy Mohlahlana and Vuyo Mvoko fired a few months ago by the SABC as the 24-hour TV news channel's new prime time co-anchors and is launching a new youth-centric talk show entitled Backchat.

From 22 May the longtime eNCA reporter and anchor Cathy Mohlahlana will take over in prime time - any news channel's showcase timeslot - together with Vuyo Mvoko as the new co-anchor team on NewsNight.

The mid-morning Cathy Mohlahlana and newcomer Vuyo Mvoko are replacing Iman Rappetti who left eNCA last month and Jeremy Maggs who asked for an earlier daytime timeslot.

The experienced Cathy Mohlahlana has anchored across several timeslots on the news channel from eMedia Investments supplied to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform in the past.

Vuyo Mvoko was recently roped in for a reporting test drive after he was abruptly fired by the South African public broadcaster as one of the vocal so-called "SABC8" journalists who opposed former chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng's TV news censorship order.

While Cathy Mohlahlana's promotion to its flagship eNCA show was expected, Vuyo Mvoko's quick elevation is surprising since news channels usually reward internal anchors and reporters who've paid their dues and done anchoring and field reporting over years and who are familiar, trusted faces to viewers.

Vuyo Mvoko's show On the Record on SABC News (DStv 404) was abruptly cancelled by the SABC in March 2016 following behind-the-scenes censorship conflict, after which he penned a scathing "My hell at the SABC" front page editorial newspaper piece in July 2016 about the failing internal workings of the SABC newsroom.

"Vuyo brings political knowledge and years of experience and Cathy has excelled as an anchor since she moved from field reporting," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director.

Vuyo Mvoko says "with everything going on in the country today, Cathy and I hope to rise to the challenge of telling the story as it unfolds."

Cathy Mohlahlana says "Vuyo is someone I have the utmost respect for and I look forward to beginning this new chapter with him."

From 22 May Jeremy Maggs will move to front NewsDay between 13:00 and 16:00 on weekdays, that will see Michalle Craig and Shahan Ramkissoon pushed from this timeslot to mid-mornings where they will now anchor 9:00 to 13:00.

Uveka Rangappa and Dan Moyane will continue to anchor Morning News Today between 6:00 and 9:00, and Joanne Joseph will continue in the 4:00 to 18:00 timeslot on eNCA.

eNCA anchor Joanne Joseph moves back to 4pm timeslot from today to replace Dudu Ramela; still looking for mid-morning co-anchor replacement.

eNCA (DStv 403) anchor Joanne Joseph is moving back to the 16:00 to 18:00 timeslot from today, 1 February with the Sabido-run TV news channel on DStv that is still looking for a new co-anchor for Cathy Mohlahlana in the mid-morning slot.

Joanne Joseph replaces Duduzile Ramela who left the 16:00 timeslot on eNCA to anchor e.tv's quixotic eNews Direct.

Joanne Joseph previously anchored at 16:00 on weekdays and she's familiar with the timeslot that's more interview-driven with a faster pace.

"The 16:00 to 18:00 show makes unique demands on the afternoon team," compressing a wealth of news - from politics, to business, to sport and weather - into a mere two hours," says Joanne Joseph.

"For the afternoon tea, it's a barrage of breathless journalism. For the viewer, we hope to make it an informal whirlwind that draws you into the eye of the day's top stories around us."

"eNCA is confident Joanne Joseph will take Afternoon News from strength to strength with her incisive interviewing skills and intelligent approach to news," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director.

"As a senior anchor Joanne Joseph plays a crucial role in mentoring young talent. She models a very high standard of professionalism in broadcast journalism. We are confident that her probing interview style, ability to distill live events and dedication to the core values of journalism will continue to make eNCA the country's news channel of choice"," says Mapi Mhlangu.

eNCA is still deciding on a replacement for Joanne Joseph's spot next to Cathy Mohlahlana.

eNCA starts reporting on air about anchor Andrew Barnes who appears in a recorded message saying he's sorry: 'Realise now comment caused a lot of hurt'.

On Thursday afternoon eNCA (DStv 403) finally started reporting about its own senior anchor Andrew Barnes who the Sabido-run TV news channel on DStv started disciplinary measures against following an on-air comment regarding the basic minister of education, Angie Motshekga - including a recorded on-air apology from Andrew Barnes.

A social media firestorm of criticism engulfed the respected anchor of News Day on the Sabido-run TV news channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform on Wednesday when, after a video clip of the basic education minister, Andrew Barnes quipped that "maybe someone should have a word with the basic education minister on how to pronounce the word epitome".

eNCA has taken Andrew Barnes off air with immediate effect with Amy MacIver substituting on News Day on Thursday afternoon.

Later on Thursday afternoon eNCA, which initially didn't report the news late on Wednesday or early Thursday, finally started to report about the incident on-air.

eNCA anchor and reporter Cathy Mohlahlana told viewers that "a controversial comment by a eNCA anchor has drawn a strong reaction on social media. Senior anchor Andrew Barnes remarked on basic education minister Angie Motshekga's pronunciation" and that eNCA is following "due labour practice".

Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director, read the same statement on-air that eNCA supplied to the media, saying "his comment was not only hurtful and unneccessary, but deeply insensitive. eNCA apologises for his comment."

"We remain committed to honest, fair, accurate and unbiased reporting. Any action or statement from an employee that undermines that ethos is taken very seriously."

Andrew Barnes who was taken off air, is appearing on-air in a recorded apology.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity to apologise for a comment that I made on News Day on Wednesday afternoon," said Andrew Barnes, appearing with an unbuttoned shirt and without a tie.

"I made fun of the education minister's pronunciation of the word 'epitome'. I realise now that that comment caused a lot of hurt and offense because ultimately it was unfair and insensitive. To those at home and minister Motshekga, I'm sorry," said Andrew Barnes.

eNCA also placed the on-air apology on its website at 15:22 on Thursday afternoon.

Macfarlane Moleli gone again from e.tv and eNews after a month; was only an unannounced temporary freelance replacement.

Macfarlane Moleli that e.tv e.tv announced in March has returned to eNews and this time to anchor eNews Prime Time on e.tv is gone again after a month - it turns out the former eNCA morning anchor was only a temporary replacement.

e.tv didn't announce this when it made the announcement in March that Macfarlance Moleli is returning to the e.tv fold, leaving viewers wondering again his sudden disappearance.

In response to a media enquiry e.tv says "Macfarlane Moleli was a stand-in, freelance arrangement when Nikiwe Bikitsha left.

"Cathy Mohlahlana is now Nikiwe Bikitsha's replacement"," e.tv tells TV with Thinus.

eNCA reporter Cathy Mohlahlana upped to morning co-anchor with Joanne Joseph; added to anchor roster of e.tv's eNews Prime Time.

eNCA (DStv 403) reporter Cathy Mohlahlana is officially becoming a news reader and anchor for eNews Prime Time from tonight, Monday 12 May, at 19:00 on e.tv, and is also getting a weekday co-anchor position on eNCA with Joanne Joseph from Thursday 15 May between 09:00 and 13:00.

It's been self-evident to eNCA viewers that Cathy Mohlahlana is getting upped to anchor status - viewers saw her sitting in over weekends in timeslots to do screen tests and to get experience and training.

Cathy Mohlahlana will now read the news on eNews Prime Time on e.tv on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Following the promotion Cathy Mohlahlana will soon disappear from South African TV screens however - next month she will join fellow South Africans like telenality Romy Titus who will study in Washington D.C. in the United States from June as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative Fellowship.

"We are very delighted to have Cathy Mohlahlana on eNews Prime Time and with her field reporting experience we have no doubt our audience will enjoy her news delivery," says Phathiswa Magopeni, the head of terrestrial news services at e.tv's eNews division.

"She is a highly motivated and energetic individual and we believe her experience will add value to our news service," says Phathiswa Magopeni.

Cathy Mohlahlana joined eNCA four years ago and reported extensively last year on the death of Nelson Mandela, and this year on the Oscar Pistorius murder trial, as well as the recent national elections.

"Her work in the field and ability to think on her feet makes her the perfect choice as an anchor," says eNCA.

"I love news and this is an overwhelming opportunity for me," says Cathy Mohlahlana. "Being in the studio is a different environment and I really look forward to that change of pace and perspective".

BREAKING. eNCA going with 'gavel-to-gavel' live Oscar Pistorius murder trial coverage on television; doing a special Sunday preview.

eNCA (DStv 403) plans to broadcast "gavel-to-gavel" live coverage of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial for viewers whenever its allowed in the courtroom, and will have comprehensive reporting with nightly TV specials of the day's events between 19:00 and 20:00, repeated at 22:00.

ANN7 (DStv 405) did not announce Oscar Pistorius court trial coverage plans on television, but besides eNCA, MultiChoice will run a dedicated, 24-hour Oscar Pistorius trial TV channel on DStv on channel 199, and the Sabido-owned Platco Digital will also run its own dedicated, 24-hour Oscar Pistorius trial TV channel on OpenView HD (OVHD) on channel 119.

eNCA says the South African TV news channel will have an hour long Oscar Pretorius murder trial preview show on Sunday night at 18:00 as it gears up for covering "one of the biggest news stories of the year".

From Monday 3 March eNCA will broadcast live courtroom coverage and ongoing expert analysis and interpretation from a special vantage point outside the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.

eNCA will use its specialist court reporter Karyn Maughan who has covered the story right from that shocking day last year on Valentine's Day when Oscar Pretorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

eNCA's team of reporters who will also cover the unfolding court room and news proceedings include Annika Larson, Phakamile Hlubi, Uveka Rangappa, Cathy Mohlahlana, Jeremy Maggs, Iman Rappetti and Gareth Edwards who will field anchor from outside the Pretoria court room.

"Everyone will be covering the Oscar Pistorius trial," says Patrick Conroy, eNCA's group head of news.

"The difference will be the quality of reporting, accuracy and insights into what is going on. We have specialist reporters to do this. We will also provide consistent updates on Twitter and our website enca.com".

"While the Oscar Pistorius trial is undoubtedly one of the biggest stories of the year, we will make sure our viewers also get regular updates on all other important news stories," says Mapi Mhlangu, eNCA news director.